The Washington times., 1922-09-10
Characters:
PHILIP ASHTON
SIR JAMES VANCE, BART.
MARYA
LOUIS, Ashton's Servant


on the Sahara. At the left there Is
a deep divdn corered 10Th a pro-
fusion of cushions. Behind the
dipan the entrance to an apartment
at left; q: centre, heaUier hdn0tngs
conceal another.
Marya, lying RELAXED on the diuan,
smoking a cigarette. She Is clad
lightly In the costume Of her desert
people and her black hair Is nndOne.
She looks up ldn0uidly as Philip
Ashton, clad IN riding toys Of Uhite,
enters.
A SHTON-Hello, Marya. (StOps
n and looks uncertainty about
the room Uith a sort of fur
tipe suspicion.) Has Sir James
been in here?
MARYA (toithoIt morin0)-He has
retired. (Sbe stretches out
hand.) You may kiss me. PHILIPPE.
(He crosses and kisses her, Has
your ride been far?
ASHTON fcrossing to table at cen
tre)--I have been to the oasis
where the traders are.
MARYA-oh! And you brought
me-
ASHTON (recollecting suddenly
Jove. 1 didn't get It! I'm sorry.
Marya, but I've been very busy.
I intended to bring you bracelet
old Murzuh had and forgot 1t.
(Cr0sses and bends on one Knee
beside her, You'll forgive me,
my desert flower?
MARYA-Then you are forgiven.
Kiss me. (He looks dtody.) What
is the matter. my love?
ASHTON - You you - Vance
wasn't here just before I came.
was he?
MARYA-I have told you no.
ASHTON-I know. l am under a
strain. Marya, and you must for
give me. I'D rather you didn't
see too much of Sir James while
he's here.
MARYA-But he is your friend.
PHILIPPE.
ASHTON (sI0,0ly)-Hardly- - that
tHc riSeS.) ] told you, over
year ago, that / was married.
Marya, didn't I?
MARYA-Ilas that ever mattered?
ASHTON-N.no. My wife doesn't
love me, so 1t couldn't. But 1t was
this Sir James Vance who took
her love, back in England.
MARYA (0estmria0 totoard centrej
This man?
ASHTON-Yes. 1t doesn't matter
now. have forgotten and % has
she, probably. went away and
found you. I have been happy
with you, Marya, here in our des-
ert. But he-I don't know why
he mas come. He has been here
four days now and l cannot dis
cover his purpose. He says it's
just a visit, but doubt It.
MARYA-Why not hnd out what he
wants?
ASHTON (atter q pause, Vehcment-
ly)-I will. Louis! (LOuis en-
ters from outside at right, He IS
of that discreet, fnpdssiVe servant
type that can be trusted al,odys.
He stands respectfully, ,oaitin0.)
Go in and waken Sir James,
Louis. Tell him I want to speak
with him at once.
LOUIS-Yes, monsieur. fGoes out
up centre. The curtains tdu be.
hind him.
ASHTON (suddenIy, trrepressibly)
-Marya, fShe turns By the cur
tdins. He crosses to her impul-
sipcly and catches her In his arms.
Fiercely): You love me, Marya,
as always?
MARYA-surely love you. my
PHILIPPE.
ASHTON-As always?
MARYA-When you came to me,
dear, out of the west, and first
saw you, was yours forever
forever! Believe me.
ASHTON-I know. 1t is not your
own kind, but mine, that I fear.
Oh, am foolish, l know, to doubt
you, Marya, but / am worried
have been ever since Vance came.
MARYA (softly)-You need not be,
my sweetheart.
(Fiercely he kisses her. then, as
Louis comes IN up centre, releases
her.> she turns and goes out left
sioUfy. Louis goes out at right.
Ashton comes doton slotoly and takes
q cigarette from the stand above
diUdn.
fSir James Vance enters from
centre. He Is toeH groomed IN the
conventional tohite Of the tropics.)
ASHTON-Hello, Vance. Sorry to
disturb you, but I'm a little of
form tonight, and II Just want
ed to talk, I guess. The sun out
there was deadly to-day.
VANCE-Oh. that's all. is It? Don't
apologize. (GOcs doDn right,