t from our boys--so
very different, somehow.

Bev. I wonder why you never like to walk down through the lane
any more? I don't believe you've been down there for a long time, not
since Hopkins and Winthrop were here.

Fair (quickly). Oh, yes, I have, lots of times. When Aunt Sally
was sick and when Uncle Joe died, don't you remember?

Bev. So you have; but I was thinking of the last walk we took
down there. Hopkins and I went off through the woods hunting, and you
and Winthrop walked down to the bars and waited for us. 'Twas night when
we got back, and you and he were still standing near the bars. The moon
made you look so white, I was afraid you were sick. That's why I
remember.

Fair (with an effort). Don't let's talk about that any more, will
you, Bev?

Bev. Of course; I didn't know you minded. Was that why you didn't
want to walk there just now?

Fair (rising). Let's go and look for Charlotte: perhaps she's
heard some news.

Bev. I reckon she's in the house; I'll call her.

[He runs towards the house, calling "Charlotte! Charlotte!"
Exit into house.

Fair (sits quietly on the bench looking off before her, greatly
troubled). I couldn't, someway I couldn't go there--to-day. Two years
ago this night! And yet how long, how terribly long ago it seems! He
told me he'd come back. I often wonder why I care: but it was such a
happy time!

[Her head sinks wearily down on her arm on the back of the bench,
covering her face.

[Enter from the back Col. and Mrs. Stuart. Col. Stuart is a
large, handsome, soldierly man of about fifty the typical
Southern Colonel. He wears his uniform and walks with
a slight limp. Mrs. Stuart is a pretty, dignified,
matronly-looking woman, same few years younger than
her husband. She is dressed in a simple black dress of
good material, that has evidently seen better days. Fair
rises quickly, going to them. She places a chair for her
father, who sits.

Fair (slipping one arm around his neck and pressing her cheek to
his). Dear father, Bev and I were just coming to look for you.

Mrs. S. Did you and Bev go to the mill?

Fair. Yes, to get the meal; and 'twas such fun! I rode on Tony.
And if you could have seen old Cupid when we got back; he thought of
course we'd take old Jack.