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'' "* 2 3 ' - 4 5 6 I I COUSIN CHAPLOTTE'5 VISIT A PLAY IN THREE ACTS. FOR QIRLS' SCHOOLS BY y ■ GERALDINE FITZGERALD. \ HALIFAX, N. S. Halifax Pkintino Co., kji lloi.tis St.. 1900. ■f"" I.:; ui en ^o ^; a. *,v ?^ ■ixi vt' CAST OF CHARACTERS. (COUSIN CHARLOTTI'S VISIT.) .^- . MiSB Elrahor Fairfax, (an elderly lady of meaoQ.) Fannis Fairfax, -\ JoMS Fairfax, \ (her neices.) Ch^rlottb Irwin, j DoBSON, (her housekeeper.) &ATIB, (the housemaid.) A trained Nurse. k J d< M of Scene.— An English Country Mansioti. Costumes of the day. M TIMB IN PIIB8BNTATIOS, THIRTT-FIVE MINOnS. chi "I or del Ki lov •whi .jMii ft^ t v^'' RS. dj of means.) nstofi. [iNons. Cousin Charlottc^s Visits S«ene throughout repregenta a jyreUy sitting-room in Min Fairfax a villa. Doora at back are open, ahowing gardan or laton. ACT I. Kktiz (entering). Goodness! Three o'clock, and the par- lor not done yet ! Where can those worthless girls be ? PannV ! June! Off on another rampage, I'll be sworn I The Idea of depending on two scapegraces like those nieces ! {Enter Dobaon.) Katie. Oh, there you are, Dobson ! Look here I You ■•e this ! Three o'clock, and this room hasn't seen the sight of a dust rag yet. As for me, I'm that worn out, 1 can't do another hand's turn. {SiU and rocka.) Dobson. Where are Fannie and June ? Katie. Fanny and June ! Did you ever yet aee Fanny •nd June where they ought to be 1 D0B8ON. Well, well, the poor children, they're young. They 11 get sense bye-and-bye. You must remember what jou were yourself at thirteen years of age. Katie. Fanny is fifteen ! I)0H80N. Well, even so. You must have patience with children. It may take a long time to lead them into the nght way, but you can never drive them there. Katie. If they were mine, I'd make them mind, drive or lead, if I had to whip them every day. D0B8ON. Ah, youth, youth ! Years will teach you, my *»r, that you must be tolerant. Take an old woman's advice. Kindness, gentleness, are the winning cards. It is love, love love, that makes the world go round. ' KATiE.;^Why, there come the gids now. Fannie Fair&u. where >>»ye you been i Fannik , Katir. June. Katie. afternoon 1 Fannie. June. COUSIN CIlAHI-Ori'E'M ViSI'f {^Entnr Fanny and Juup. at Inu :) Down to the river 'j got cat-tiiilH. I'd likfl to cat-tfiil you. ^ Just try it once ! ', Why haven't you l)een at your work all the We can't work all the time. Aunt Midge is an mUI Hlavedriver : jast as soon •8 we finish one job she has another ready. She's too mean anyhow. DoBSON {re.jmmchfHlIy). Now, now, you ought'nt to talk that way about your .lunt, that's taking caro of you. Fannie. Humph ! Junk. I'm sure I don't want lier to take care of me, I'd jU«t as soon go to the orphan asylum. There I'd have a holi- day once in a while. Fannie. And we could go to school and learn something, June. Oh, I'm not so anxious about that ! Katie.' Did you know your aunt was looking for you 1 June, Looking for us ? What foi' ? DoBSON. She wants to see you lioth, so go and wash jour faces ; I'll gather up these. Huriy viO'w- (looking at Jvm'n shoef.) Why child, what a condition you are in I Mud up to your knees ! How in the woild did you do thatl Fannie. She fell in the water. Oh, Dobson, you should have seen us ! T had to climb up in on(; of those big willows and bend down the bough so slu; could catch it and pull her feet out. They were stuck tigiit in the mud. Ha, ha, ha ! June. Well, you needn't l.uigli so hard ! You wouldn't think it so funny if it was you. DonsdN. X;)\v, what shall I tell your Auntl That mt^ans a pair of new boots, of cburse -these are ruined. ^ June. I'd just as leave go barefoot. Fannie. She can hold them under the pump and hang 'em to dry. They'll be as good as new. ' Katie. Well, what will you two be tip to nextt OlM would think you had lived in the wilds of America. Fannie. Don't I wish wo did ! ■ l>onsov. Come, come, chilihen ! Katie. Here comes Miss Fairfax, girls. II V work all the lur vw: just as aoon Bhe's too mean u ought'nt to talk u of you. ke care of me, I'd re I'd have a holi- d learn something, liat ! looking for you 1 , so go and wash now --(looking ai ition you ' are in I rl did you do that! )obson, you should t those big willows ch it and pull her id. Ha, ha, ha! •d ! You wouldn't our Aunti That se are ruined. w pump and hang up to nextl Oh» Aiuerica. rln. roUHIN CIIAKLOITKH VIMIT. (Eattr Ming Fairfax, ivifh a nuvM.) Miss Fairfax. Are my nieces hotvl Fannik and .Ti'.VE. Yes, Aunt. Good afternoon, Aunt. (Dtibmn pltwot ehair ami exit.) MiHfl F. It does not surprise me to find you in this con- dition — it doeM not surprise me in the least. Still, I think that ill my illnesH, when I am obliged to depend entirely on stran- gers, you would try to show a little unselfishues-s, a little gratitude. Here, you have ))een four years members of my household, entirely dependent on my generosity, and have you erer given the slightest return I I am not obliged to take care ' my brother's childreii. Pray, what would become of you it you were to forfeit my good will? The position of ■hop girls, factory hands, is not an enviable one. (Pause.) Well, it waH not this that I had to say to you, but it beam on the subject. Your cousin, Charlotte Irwin, is coming .here to-day on a visit, and sinot) theie is no one but you two to entertain her. I hope yon will try to behave yourselves. You will be excused from all dutii's about the house during her stay, as I have hired a new maid. Your cousin will arrive this afternoon, — about five, the telegram says, does it not, nurse 1 Nurse {consvlting telegram.) It says she is to drive from Starville, and may be here Wfore five. Miss F. • Tliat's true. Go now, and have Dobson put on your best gowns, and tell Kitty I wish tea served in this room. (Exeunt Fanny and June.) (To Nurse) And j'ou, I wish you would inquire exactly* when the train arrives. (^E.rit Xnrsc.) Another of my help- less, reckless relations thrown upon me for hospitality ! It seems the whole family of Fairfax must have plotted before- hand to squander their portions, and then apply to me for a share of mine. First, the father of these children ! Noth- ing would satisfy him but ho must invest £2,000 in Colorado silver mines. Water got into the mines, and he lost it all. I dpn't know how it is, m^ enterprises always prosper I And then when I blamed him for his loss, he demanded how could C0U8IN CIIAH1.0TTK H VlfllT. hfl prevent what was the will of Provid«noe t iJut glad enough waH he, when dying, t^ leave mo hix orphaoK. litfel* good though I could H«>e in him, I And ad quiet in the house, T NuppoHe. Katie, toll my nieces to receive their cousin, and make her at home. And remember, no noine — no munic ! Of courne, she. is as boisterous as the rest. '"I NuRSK. You may And her right different, Miss Fairfax. ' Miss F. They are all alike, sdfish, extravagant, interested. (Exeunt, Nurse, MitaF.und Kali*, the latter hurriedly utting the /urnllnre in order.) (Enter Fanny, »h' in tying her minh, etc.) Fanny. I wonder what our new cousin will be like ! If she locks anything like her photograph, she must be one of Uioso goody-good girls. Of course, she and Aunt Midge will hate each other l>efore they're ac<|uainted half a day. Well, anyhow, -June and I will put in u jolly time the noxt two weeks. "We'll just do everything Aunt tells us not to do. She can't say anyth ~ l)ecauHe Counin Charlotte'is a visitor, and then, she's eigl>. . years old. Junk. (Withoid.) Fanny! Fanny. Well! June. Are you dressed ? Fanny. Oh I I've been ready this half hour. I'm stand- '»ug here waiting for you. lEnter June, Dobson and Katie, the latter giving the finishing touches to Juliets toil el.) JuNR. Beady, indeed ! I suppose you're going to receive your cousin in your bare feet ! Fan. Dobson, did you ever see our Cousin Charlotte 1 Dob. Yes, when she was a very little one. iJut glad laai'.. liifel* in June and The oarriag* ly. and to peaoe ny nieces to id remember, eroun as the MiHH Fairfax. It, interested. rrUcUy utting itc.) I be like ! If UBt be one of It Midge will day. Well, the noxt two 18 not to do. bv'iH a visitor. I'm stand- thn finishing ting to receive Charlotte f COUSIN CIIARMiriKH VIIIIT. T JuNR. WoH Hhe nice, Dolmun I Dob. One of the moMt tvngelie diitpuHitions, my child. JuNR. Dobson, I think Hhe must be a changeling I Dob. a changeling 1 Whyl J CNR. If Hhe has an angelic diH|K>Hition, she can't be ft niece oi' Aunt Ilidge. Kat. And she can't Iw neaipi than thirty-second cousin to you, June. Fan. Oh, listen, isn't that the carriage 1 JUNR. Oh, let UH Hee I Kat. (jpulling her hack by the thvHH.) Come back here, June Fairfax I Fan. (at the cU^or.) Ych, they'io driving up the avenue I JuNR. Oh, Dobson, Hhould T kiHH her when she cornea in t Fan. You might wait until she ANkn you. {Enter Charlotte.) Don. Ah ! My sweet younjf lady, 'tis welcome you ftre, my dearie. Chak. My kind old friend, Dolwon ! It seems really like coming home, to meet you. Dob. And so you are at home, my dear, and so you are. For here are your two cousins, FraiiceH and June. Now make her welcome, girls. Fan. You don't know how gltvd we were, Cousin Char- lotte, when we heard you were coming. DoD. You must be very good friends, all of you. Char. I am sure T shall love them. I have been so many years among strangers, that I ani quite prepared to appreciate my aunt and cousins. Fan. And we have be*n so anxious to see you, cousin. JuNR. We were just asking Dobson a lot of question* ftbtut you. Char. I hope she gave me a gmid reputation. Dobson and I are old friends, are we not, Dobson 1 ivOB. We ought to be. Miss Charlotte, for I made your acquaintance the dc-y you were Iram. Char. So you did. DoB. I was young and spry as the best of them, then. Eighteen years have mode a great change in me. COUSIN CHARLOTTES VISIT. Char. But, T daresay, they have made still more in me. Dob. Yes, yes, but you have changed for the better, my bird. But, now. Miss Cliarlotte must have a cup of tea this minute, for it's a long, hot journey she's had. (Fanny proceedn to pour, the tea. Exit Dobaon.) Pan. All the way from London ! You're quite a travel- er, cousin. Char. Yes, I believe I have seen, more of the world than most girls of my age. June. And been at boarding-school in France ! Fan. And studied mufiic and painting ! How I envy you, Cousin Charlotte. June. You'll play for us some day, won't you 1 Fan. If we can coax Aunt Eleanor out of the house for the occasion. Char. Does she dislike music t Fan. (carelessly: ) Not when she's well, but she's laid up nearly all the time, now. Char. Really f T knew she was delicate, but not that she was an invalid. Fan. Well, she seems strong enough sometimes, but lately ehe needs a nurse nearly all the time ; she can't stand the least noise. Char. Poor Aunt ! Fan. Poor nieces I Char. Are you not, then, fond of her ? June. Oh — Yes, we adore her ! Fan. She has such a lovable disposition ! June. And is so generous ! Sis, give Charlotte some 'Cream ! Fan. With all my heart, for she will find a scarcity of " the milk of human kindness " here 1 June. • Poor Cousin ! Is one lump enough ? Char. Quite! "Your pity is so sweet." But really, you astonish me. I thought you were devoted to Aunt Eleanor. Indeed, I must acknowledge to feeling a little jealous once in a while. I used sometimes to think, " What a poor, lonely girl Pam ; how fortunate for Fanny and Mildred to be in the care of good Aunt Eleanor I " COUSIN CHAKLOTTK H VISIT. [ mo^-e in me. he better, my p of tea this obaon.) juite a travel- he world than ice ! w I envy you, oul the house for ; she's laid up it not that she les, but lately n't stand the harlotte some a scarcity of But really, you Lunt Eleanor, salous once in jor, lonely girl be in the care June. Just what we so oftcm hdid about you. Char. About me ! Pa»i. How fortunate you were to be mit of the care of good Aunt Bletinor. Chah. But 1ms not she been like a mother to you ? Fan. Well, tlinre are mothers and mothers. She's quite a unique sptciniftn. Char. Ah, glrl.s it must be that you do not understand her. She certainly means ;vell by you. Have you ever tried to find the way to her h.-.^ft 1 Pan.— There is no way— 'tis a blind alley. June, If yiut' tbt Fan. June ! Junk. Well, you might as well be honest about it. Fanny Fairfax. You know we couldn't be woiso off than we are now, and — why — to be plain, she'd leave us her money, Chau. She has then made a will in your favof ? Fan. Oh, yes, some years ago ; you see, she gave us to uridfrstand when we came, that we were to be her heirs. Char, luueed, I hope you maj'. June. But, anyhow, we'll forget all our scrapes and troubles while you are here. Fan. What shall we do to entertain you. Cousin Char- lotte, since we can't have music or games ] Char. You won't find me hard to entertain. My tastes are very simple. June. I suppose you wouldn't like to go out pickings blackbei i ies 1 Char. Oh, wouldn't I ! I'd be charmed ! Fan and June. Really? . Fan. Why, then, we can go on a picnic to-nlorrc v. June. Dobson »viil put us up a lovely lunch. Tan. And we'll take Mr. Parker's boat and go up the 10 COUSIN CIlAllLOrrBS VISIT. river. The bushes are just covered with berries. Chau. Oh, what fun that will be I What a change from the city ! Fan. Oh, we can have lots of that kind of fun. June {dancing around, clapping her hands). And I'm going to do whatever I like for two whole weeks. (Curtain.) ACT II. {Enter, laughing, Fanny and June, carrying Tennis Backett.) Fan. If you only knew what a ridiculous figure you out, sprawling across the grass. June. Well, you needn't laugh so hard, I won the game, all the same. Fan. I'm three ahead of you still, though. June. I beg pardon, you're duly two. Fan. I was four last night, when we lost the ball in the currant bushes. {Nurse opens door at L.) NURS?. Will you please keep quiet. You have just awaked your Aunt out of the first sleep she's had to-day {she closes dtror ) Fan. Oh, dea'' ! It's always the same, sick or Well, we can't have a bit of lun. June. I deolaie, I forgot all about her. Say, Fanny, it's too l>ad. Fan. Too bad ! What's too bad 1 JiTNE. To wake her up. She hasn't slept for two nights. Fan. Oh, bah ! Slio'll have time enough to sleep before Gabric .'s trumpet calls her. June. Say Fanny, we never as^v^ how she feels to-day. .You know thvj other day Charlotte told us she always quest- ions the nurs3 whether we have inquired for her. Fan. Charlotte is too much of a busybody ! JuNC. Why, I thought she told us out of kindness, $o that we'd be careful. I change from 'uo. |. And I'm nia Raekett.) ure yoa cut, 'on the gune, le ball in the >u have just I had t(H]ay ; or Well, we Say, Fanny, >r two nights. } sleep before I feels to-day. always quest- kindness, so COUSIN charlotte's visit. II ' -W' >•■ Pak. Well, you're as simple tt8 a baby! Doyousuppoee t^harlotte is looking after your interest or mine ? Junk (innocerUly.) I don't know. A ^^-j Charlotte is just trying tx) insinuate herself into Aunt Midge s favor. June. Charlotte ! Do you think so, sistor ? ♦K.f T.^ i^'' 1*'!!°^ ^" \ '^"y^"« ""' *^™ Wind, could see that. Id J-ke to know why she waits on her day and night if sbe doesn t expect to gain something by it. You remember when the two weeks of her visit were up. Well, she had planned to visit Oarisse Holden, her greatest friend. She intended to spend the rest of the summer there. June. Yes, and I know she was dying to go, for the dav she received the letter she hesitated a long time, fnd then wS in a hurry and telegraphed that she couldn't go of Innt Mfdge.''" ^° "*''' '"'"^'* *' «"° ''^^ «°«^ ^^^ 1 ^^^^' 3f"' ^'*^ J"^'^ ^ '«'*^« she'd gain them. I don't love Aunt Midge hard enough to be jealous. Fan. You little Sioose, who's talking about love ? Don't you see that if she takes a notion to Charlotte she'll will ber all the money, and we'll be left out in the cold thought- ^''^' "''"''^ '^^ ^"^^^ ^^^ ™''"*y ^ *°y«°« «'«^' I fi. J*fu ,'^''°"«ht •' You thought ! You never do think thats the trouble. Why, don't you know that the money S u J, ^^ *""* *^" "^h** ''^^- *'^nts with it ? We think we are badly oflf as it is, but what would we do if we hXt a shelter, nor a house to stay in. June. Oh, Fanny, 'tis our own fault. Why weren't we good and nice to Aunt all the time ? ^ the fireT ^^^ "^''^'^ "* ''"''^ ^"''^ ^'^""^ '°^' '''^ ^"^ ™« '">'» June. And I know I never could learn to wait on ber Oace when Dobson sent me up with the tray, I apilled myr mir/ *]>« ««"°'«''P*»«- You should have heaiS her S^ me out of the room. Fan. June, do you know what the doctor. says of herT of that^wrt *^^ " brown-creatures," or something LofC 12 COUGIN CHARLOTTES VISIT. Fan. No, he says ulie is apt bo take a bad spell Rnd die ; very suddenly. June. Poor thing! Really, Fanny, I feel right sorry for lier. Siy, let's begin iind be good. Fan. 0\ that would l»f> all very fine if Charlotte wasn't here. {Ellin- Vharlotte L.) Char. Ah, girls, it was too bad to break up your game, and now I'm sorry to disturb you, but Aunt Eleanor is com-. ing in here while her room is being arranged. June. Why, we don't mind, we'll go out. I guess we were pretty noisy just now. Fan. An'l you may be sure Charlotte did not fail to «b11 her patient's attention to it. Char. On the contrary, Fanny, I did nothing of the kind. Fan. You've been trying to supplant us here ever since you came. I'd like to know what right you have to make yourself mistress in this house. If Aunt Eleanor^ wants some- one to take care of her, 'tis we who have the first right. Char. That is exactly what I think, Fanny. Fan. Why, then, did you not go when the term of your visit was up 1 Char. Bscause Aunt Eleanor begged me to remain near lier. And besides I had not the least idea that you were Anxious, or even willing, to take care of her. June. Sister ! Shame ! Miss F. {without). Charlotte ! Charlotte ! ,Char. Yes, Aunt, here I am ! {Exeunt June and Fanny, enter Miss Fairfax.) Char, How do you feel now, Aunt Eleanor ] Miss F. {peevishly). Where have you been t .1 sent you ten minutes ago to prepare this room, and now, where are the pillows 1 Char. Here they are, Avint. I'm very sorry to have kept you waiting. Let ms put this one under your feet. {Charlotte sits and fani Miss F.) Miss P. How awkward yon are^ Ciiarlotte 1 I'm not get- ■..■1 ■■■ ^ spell e.nd die ;^ si right sorry •• arlotte wasn't up your game, ieanor is com-. I guess we id not fail to ng of the kind. ere ever since have to make ' jr. wants some- *st right. ) term of your ^ remain near hat you were lir/ax.) )r] 1 1 .1 sent you where are the •y to have kept feet. i 1 I'm not get- COUSIN OHARLOTTKa VISIT. IS ting a bit of that breeze. (Coughs.) Close that door. Char, {closen door.) Now, Aunt, hadn't you better take R little of this mixture ? Miss F. No, not now. Sit down he.-e, Charlotte, I ht^ve something to say to you. 'Tis about Fanny and June. How have they behaved toward you since you came ? QaK^.-( sitting on ottoman.) Why, really Aunt, I have seen so little of them since your illness, that — Miss P. Yes, yes, but you were at meals together, you saw them every day ! Were they polite 1 Were they kind ? Char. Well — we don't seem as much in sympathy as I would like, but no doubt it is my fault. Miss F. (nodding). Fanny has acted spitefully, I'll war- rant. Yes, I have heard. There aie others to tell me things, too. I know that Fanny has an unbearable temper. Char. But she will grow out of that. Aunt. She is young, and really has a good heart. Miss F. She will have to grow out of it. And June % I suppose she is a pretty fair copy of her sister. Char. Why, I am very fond of June. I fancy we would be very good friends, only I cannot come between her and her sister. Miss F. Those children have been here four years, and yet, in all that time, they liiive not done as much to win my favor ds j'ou have in two months. Char. But perhaps, Aunt Eleanor, you don't know me as well as them. It's easy to be amiable when one is a visitor. Miss F. You have not been here in that capacity. A visitor does not watch at midnight by the pillow, of a cross invalid. A visitor does not go into the kitchen to prepare with her own hands little dainties for her hostess. Chap. Indeed, dear Aunt, it gave me great pleasure to be able to do some little acts of kindness. Miss F. Yes, and it will give me great pleasure to reward them. Tell me, now, how are you situated financially I Your father left you but a small fortune. Char. Yes, and I have spent the whole of it upon my education. I now intend to earn my living by teaching. Mias F. Yes, by teaching those Jihout you, lessons of love and unselfishness. You will not feel obliged to gain u COUSIN ohaklottk's visit. inoney by yoar talents when you have heard this papor. Tis my last testament, signed the other day. In a former will, I bequeathed my whole estate to Fanny and June. That, . « however, is now null and void. This is the latest. pi^ Chab. Indeed, I hope 'twill be a long time before this is executed, dear Aunt. Miss E. I cannot expect that ; but my particular care is to distribute my wealth justly, and have it well employed. Hero is the will. (Regda). " To my niece, Charlotte Irwin, I give and bequeath my entire fortune of a quarter of a million." Char. Did I hear it aright 1 To me. Aunt 1 Miss F. Yes, to youj my child. You are surprised. I expected you would be. Sit down. There is no reason to be agitated. Chab. Indeed, dear Aunt, I should never know what to do with so much money. Miss F. You would find use for it. One soon becomes aooustomed to riches. Chab. But Fanny and June, Aunt, are they to have nothing t Miss F. I shall reconsider June's claims, in view of what you have said of her. But they both belong to a class of girls for whom I have no use. They have no high-bred ten- dencies. Char. Ah, dear Aunt, how much better for them to be as they are, than to flatter you with the hope of reward. Miss F. No, Charlotte, the family of Fairfax is an old and aristocratic one. I desired to perpetuate its high stand- ing. But, these children would only bring discredit upon it. Char. Well, I have not given up the hope that they will jret make amends for the past. Miss F. We shall see. But now I shall go back to my room. I should not have risen today, the exertion was too much {riaea painfrUly toith help ofatick ; when haitfway tusroaa ike atage ia aeized with coughing spell). ' Chab. Ah, Aunt, you feel worset Shall I call the nurse 1 Good Heaven, she is insensible! Nurse ! Katie ! {Ewtvr Nurati) COUSIN ciiarlottb'b visit. 16 lis paper. Tis » former wil], June. That, .test. I before this is rtioular oare is ell employed. larlotte Irwin, quarter of a itl surprised. I 10 reason to be know what to soon becoaies they to have a view of what to a class of ligh-bred ten- > them to be as iward. fax is an old bs high stand- ;redit upon it. that they will ;o back to my rtion was too aiffway acron all the nurse 1 atie ! NuBSK. What is the matter ^ Chab. Quick, the other side. I can scarcely support her. NuBSB. Poor old soul ! This is what the doctor feared. I'm afraid 'tis all over with her. {Exeunt Nurse and Char- lotU with Afiss Fair/ax. The wUl falh to thti floor. Pause. Enter Fanny.) Fan. Gone ! They had a nice little t6te-a-tdte here, and goodness knows what stories that spiteful Charlotte told •bout me. What does it matter, anyhow ? She'll be gone ■con, and we can get on the good side of Aunt. (Picka up paper.) What is this 1 Signed Eleanor Fairfax. Could it be— Gracious ! 'Tis a will, and dated yesterday. {Beading.) "To my niece, Charlotte Irwin, I will and bequeath, my entire fortune of a quarter of a million." She has made Char- lotte her heir. Can it be true! June and I to be left penniless 1 We can never undo this ! Oh, why were we «uoh fools t Not a cent ! If she were to die now, where could we go ? We would have to be dependent on Charlotte. Never J I would rather starve ! Oh, if I had only suspected this, h:>w di£Ferently I would have acted. {Enter Katie.) Oh, Fanny, Fanny ! Something terrible has Katib. happened ! Pan. {aside). Can she mean the wilH Katib. Your . unt,— poor child ! She took a bad tura, and — Oh, how can ± tell you t Fan. What? what? Katib. She is dead. Fan. Dead ! Great Heavens ! Katib. We thought she was only in a faint, but the nurse said 'twas all over, and no use to go for the doctor. Oh, I must go and bring Mr. Parker over right awajF. (Exit Katie.) Fan. Our Auqt dead ! I wonder if 'tis really isot I don'e dare to go into the room— 'tis too horrible. What will June say ? Dead ! But I kave thought of this often lately -^I shouldn't be so surprised {thuddert ; then, tuddmly) Ah, 16 COUSIN ••IIAIIU'ITKB VISIT. the unll ! nothing ! vent it. tho will that It-avvj C^hurlotte ovorything, and as 'TIr the latest. 'Twill take effect. No, I can pre- No one will (Irciim that I have found it (jiutUng pajter in her bosom). Ijni it stay there. The last will gives us everytliing. Now, Charlotte, cry all the tears you have, bat they'll do you no good ; your putient will never, never, make another will. (Cftrtom.) AC I III.. (Scene, the same. Night. Chaklotte reading near lamp, June on chair, asleep.) Charlotte (closing book, turning). June I — Fast asleep! Poor little one ! An easy conscience makes Ihis sister sleep when she wishes to watch, while the other one wfttchea even in sleep. ( Waking her.) June ! bh — gh — . Don't you think we had better go to bed ? I don't see any sign of Fanny, I guen.s you must ha;ve been dreaming yourself when you thought you saw her. June. No, no. She got up the night before last and came down stairs and into this room. I crept out into the corridor, and peeped over the banister. I'm positive about H. I was as wide awake as I am now. Char. And you think she was asleep? June. Fast asleep. Char. But how could you see her ? Wasn't every- thing dark ? .Tune. She had a lighted ca>idle. Char. I've noticed Fanny very abstracted of late. Sh'3 seems to be vfrorried about something. June. Yes, ever since Aunt died ; and I've found ker so often looking through books and manuscripts, aa if she had lost something. Char. Whatever is the matter, she is very much changed. But come, we'll go 'up now. June. Sh — wait a minute \ Don't you hear a noise ? Char. Someone is coming downstairs. irything, and ob No, I can pre* )und it (putUng last will gives as >r8 you have, but iver, never, make ding near Inmp. June I — Fast ence makoa this irhile the other .) June ! yh— o bed ? I don't lust have been au saw her. ght before last n. I crept out banister. I*m ; as I am now. ep? Wasn't every- stracted of late. S- and I've found manuscripts, as i is very much >u hear a noiee ? irs. 17 Shf CCU81N CIIARLOTTK's VISIT. Junk. 'Tis Fanny -come, stand back here. {Enter Fnvny, asleep. Her eyes are open and fixed, speaks tn the manner of one talking in sleep.) W J«''''rMJ'-?;^ T"" !»«— They will never guess it. Here-I hid it n this .irawer, but the keys are gone- (feeh tn bosoms lost I Oh, if I could only find it -She can never inaice another will.-Ah. when I find it I will give It back to Charlotte, poor Charlotte I-I must be SLCY"^'^"^ \^ 'I"'''' ^''- C^'«'''«' if^en laughs hghtly). But she is dead, she will never come out of her grave.-"To my niece. Charlotte Irwin, Lgive and I «toii"iL^*-nT^.?"'* ' •'^- X ""' •'"«' «^" 1 1«» them I^8t.^le the wiIl?-Come,in, June, it is too damp to (ExH Fanny.) June. There, didn't I tell you ? But I never heard her talk before. I should have been dreadfully fright- ened if you were not here. "■»"« Char. She tried to open this drawer. n 1 j^w I. ^f' *"d she said something about a will, Lou Id It be the one the lawyer has been looking for? Char. Where is the key of this drawer, Juno I JUNE. Lost 1 Dobson has looked all over for it. CHAR. Kun and fetch me a screw-driver from the sewing machine, quick. »« fuo (.Exit June.) * Fanny got possession of that paper some way or other and hid It, perhaps during her sleep. I've 4ieard of such things. Oh, Heaven help me to set all right (Enter June.) drive"" Chario'ttr^'" «""^ *" '° "**^ *^« «"«- S!f™ " Ju'*'",^^- , ^*** proceeds to take off the lock.) June. Why Charlotte, this looks as if we were breaking into other people's property. » n.1»' 18 COUSIN CIIAULO'ITRH VISIT. Char. Ihope'twill turn out to be breaking into our own property. JiiNK. Oh, see, the loclc in coinins: offi Cmar. There, hold it, while 1 look at these pftpers. Move the lannp nearer. June. Oii, there's something with a red seal ! Char. 'Tis the will ! Oh, how fortunate! Tis Aunt Eleanor's lost will. June. Oh, Charlotte, then Fannie did not take it after all I Char. Yes, June, she took it, but she has repented, and we will lorgive her, because she is our sister. Run now, wake her, and bring her down. {Exit June.) She has snflTered enough, poor child. What anxiety she must have gone through this last month ! And I am to be heiress to such a fortune ! Oh, how much good T shall do with this money, but I must not forget the injunction that charity begins at home. (^Enter Fannie and Jane.) Char. Fannie. I have here a paper which I wish to receive from no hands but yours. Fannie. It is the will 1 (falling on her knees.) Oh, Charlotte, can you forgive me ! I didn't intend to keep it. It was only a moment's temptation, but I lost it and had not the courage to tell you. Char, (embracing her.) We will not let such a wretch- ed thing as money come between us, dear cousin. There will be plenty for all to be happy with. Now, I want- you two to adopt me as a sister. Both (embracing Charlotte.') Dear, dear Charlotte, how good you are ! How wd love you I DoBsoN (mthout). Fannie I June I Fannie. Here we are, Dobson, the whole family 1^ What, have you a letter? (Enter Dobson.) Dobson.— A telegram. &££ at these paperu. I red seal ! nate ! 'Tis Aunt did not take it le has repented, our sister. Run What anxiety month ! And I Oh, how much must not forget >me. ) . which I wish to her knees.) Oh, lidn't intend to mptatioD, but I irou. )t such a wretch- r cousin. There 1. Now, I want- COUSIN chablottk'h visit. 19 All. a telegram I For Charlotte I DoBsoN. No, for you. Fannie (rea(/«). Fannie and Mildred Fairfax ! What ' can it be t "Mil. Open it quick ! DoBSON. But what are you all doing up bo late? Chak. Oh, just acting a little comedy. Fannie. Gracious, Dobson, it can't be true I Our father has been dead five years. June. Our father I Char. You haven't received news of him I June. Read it, quick ! What does it say ? DoBsoN. " My daughters : I have heard the news of my sister's death, and am hastening home to you. I shall now be able to repair the past, and give you a beautiful home. Expect me within a week. Your father." Junk But, Dobson, is he risen from the dead ? Dob. I won't ay that, but wonderful things hop- pen in America. Fan. Our father alive ! June. And coming home to take care of us I Ah. kow happy we shall be ! Chab. Now 'tis your turn to be congratulated, girls. Fan. Dear Cousin Charlotte I June. Oh, how splendidly things have turned out I Char. Yes, we've seen a good deal of trouble toge- ther, but, all's well that ends well. End. dear Charlotte, 3 whole family 1^