GERTRUDE. I have no dearer friend in the world.
FRANK. She will give a message for me to the dearest friend I have in the world. My little wife! I must not waste even the moment we are waiting. Doctor! My note-book! [Trying to get it from his coat. The SURGEON takes it out. A torn and blood-stained lace handkerchief also falls out. GERTRUDE kneels at his side.] Ah! I—I—have a message from another—[Holding up handkerchief.]—from Captain Heartsease. [JENNY makes a quick start towards him.] He lay at my side in the hospital, when they brought me away; he had only strength enough to put this in my hand, and he spoke a woman's name; but I—I—forgot what it is. The red spots upon it are the only message he sent. [GERTRUDE takes the handkerchief and looks back at JENNY, extending her hand. JENNY moves to her, takes the handkerchief and turns back, looking down on it. She drops her face into her hands and goes out sobbing.
Enter MADELINE on veranda.
MADELINE. General Haverill is coming. I was just in time. He was already on his horse.
FRANK. Ah! He is coming. [Then suddenly.] Write! Write! [GERTRUDE writes in the note-book as he dictates.] "To—my wife—Edith:—Tell our little son, when he is old enough to know—how his father died; not how he lived. And tell her who filled my own mother's place so lovingly—she is your mother, too—that my father's portrait of her, which she gave to me in Charleston, helped me to be a better man!" And—oh! I must not forget this—"It was taken away from me while I was a prisoner in Richmond, and it is in the possession of Captain Henry Thornton, of the Confederate Secret Service. But her face is still beside your own in my heart. My best—warmest, last—love—to you, darling." I will sign it. [GERTRUDE holds the book, and he signs it, then sinks back very quietly, supported by the SURGEON. GERTRUDE rises and walks right.
MADELINE. General Haverill is here. [The SURGEON lays the fold of the blanket over FRANK'S face and rises.
GERTRUDE. Doctor!
MAJOR. He is dead. [MADELINE, on veranda, turns and looks left. The
LIEUTENANT orders the guard, "Present Arms". Enter HAVERILL, on
veranda. He salutes the guard as he passes. The LIEUTENANT orders,
"Carry Arms." HAVERILL comes down.
HAVERILL. I am too late?
MAJOR. I'm sorry, General. His one eager thought as we came was to reach here in time to see you. [HAVERILL moves to the bier, looks down at it, then folds back the blanket from the face. He starts slightly as he first sees it.