The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-02-25


opposite bank. That means he's
started
MARIE Hooking at~her sister -sotth
angry scorn, but stiH toith a titge
ofpity)--I recall a Summer when
no fires were burned on the oppo-
site bank.
CECILE Coming inside and closing
the door, IeGning against 1t
tbOnJhtfully)---And so do l..
Love-sick fool, | was! How my
heart would sink when |. gazed
out there and saw the blackness!
Black1ess!
MARIE-Every night you, lighted
your bonfire on this side.
CECILE-To guide Jed over the
rapids
MARIE (reIentlessIy) - But he
never came!
eCECILE Tossing her bedd)-He,
will tonight.
MARIE-And you are burning a
bonfire for him?
CECILE-At the water edge. It's
blazing high. / saw the sparks
just now from the doorway. /
gathered the leaves and sticks
this afternoon and touched the
pile off directly after supper.
(GOes to the frepIGce.) It's
funny am reminded of the
happiest-and most miserable
hours of my life-whenever /
smell burning wood and leaves.
MARIE Coming behind herJ-And
am reminded Of Pierre-our
brother. Do you.know what hap
./pened the night you ran away
from home? For weeks, you re-
member, Pierre had seen you
grieving your heart out because
there was no bon fires on the OPP
posite bank. Well, the night you
left home he rowed over to the
opposite shore-and lighted one
(tCtth a grim laugh. A beauty!
He ser fire to haystack. 1t de-
stroyed half Of the Scott estate!
CECILE (pdlel-Pferre did that?
MAR1E-Jed Scott had him arrest
ed for arson. After a bitter
struggle we got the authorities
to send him ato an asylum-in- n
stead of to prison. Think of it
Ia punishment like that for a boy
lsh prank! And Pierre only six
teen years old at the time!
CECILE (dOhGst)-Ive never heard
Of this!
. MARIE-Who'd tell YOU? Not led
Scott. He wants to marry you
now you're rich.
CECILE (coVering her face Nth her
hGndsj-Pierre in an asylum
Oh, it'ssghastly!
unseen By either MGrie sr
CeciIe the trdpGoor of the cellar
opens n0iSelesSIy and Pierre. q
young hdlf-breed, tCith smoky
dark eyes and a pale oHUe skin,
climbs into the room and Ddn-
tshes like ShddoW out of the
door,
. MAR1E-This brute Scott-the
cause of all our misery-you ask
us to receive him in our home!
CECILE (pGcinO the fOor)-You
don't understand. hate him!
Hate him! But it's the girl of
long ago that wants him. She
made vow that. some day she
would return-and get even! /
can't cheat her ont, of her re-
venge-
MARIE (sneering)-How does she
intend to take her vengeance?
CECILE (pGssiOnateI5)-By burn
ing up his heart-his pride! BY
crushing
MAKE (,oith ugly IaughterJ-
Ihats the woman of it! with
trGn=y.) You have come back
here in all your finery and ge-
gaws-because you still LOVE
him! -
CECILE (shriUy)-T don't!
MARIE (Uiolently)-You lie! You
DO! And it wouldn't be a week
before the past was wiped ont
with a few caresses! with u
harsh Sob.) But that palaver
doesn't go with me! 1t doesn't
pay for the he'll he caused your
mother! AS for me-when I
think of what l suffered-won
derlng what was happening to
Pierre in that damned red brick
institution! God! 1t couldn't
have been worse if they'd buried
him alive!
CEC1LE (tcith hurt cry)-Don't!
| can't bear any more! I'll get
him out! I'll give up everything
| have
MARIE listening. sharplv)-Be
quiet! Here comes mamma
'(Lir;d and painting. the Indian
mOm0n climbs through the trap
dOOr.)
INDIAN WOMAN (hdrSh1y to
Marie ICtfh q riOlcnt gesture -
Pierre he run away. Go fin him
-queeck.
MARIE (StartledJ-Pierre has
gone?
INDIAN WOMAN (potnttng to the
trnpdoor)-He Lessen much at
hole--1en fly!
CECILE (Stdring, mn2ed)-Pierre
was HERE?
MARIE (curt1y)-In the cellar.
Hiding like hunted animal ever
since he escaped from the asy-
lnm. Here-give me the lamp!
(Shc SnHtchrS the lGmp from
the Jndi0n mOmdnS hama and
PUSHES OutSidc. Her pOice is
hcnrd CNIiUO ana TrHOjNU in the