Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-03-10
CHAPTER LII

"You are cruel, cruel, Mr.. Warbur-
ton. Why should you make me tell you
that love you ?" sobbed the woman.
"What but pain can ever come from
the knowledge of it," And the glo-
rious dark eyes and full ripe lips were
raised for a moment pitifully to the face
OF her companion but, alas for her it
was triumph, not compassion, that she
read there.
"But you shall say it, my beauty,
with those sweet lips OF yours, though
YOUR eyes have owned it a thousand
times already; then ! shall feel as
though life might even yet be worth the
living" His voice had bard ring it,
despite its passion, and the strong hands
that rested on her shoulders hurt her !;
yet there was power III the man she
was helpless to resist.
A nervous thrill ran through her
frame, and the color came and went IN
her checks.
Don't, don't make me say it; / can
never undo it then, she mOaned, but a
smile crept round Warburton's hand
some mouth as he listened.
"Now, he good obedient child, he
said, "and let me hear you inst once
say Horace, | love you then ] will
hold you against the world, let 1t say
what it will. Come. now, you've never
called me Horace yet, Celia-Celia, my
pet and my darling. All see, | must
charm those trembling lips into speech.
Now, when | hold YOU so, whisper it
ever, ever 50 softly, and love will make
me hear
Horace, Horace, oh, You know |
love you how can help it?" cried the
woman: but as she spoke she loosed her
self from his embrace and stood looking
wistfully away toward the blue and
shining sea.
All WAS so calm, 50 sweet, so sunny
that summer day on the Riviera, 1t
seemed as though life should know
naught of ain, nor wrong, nor pain, and
AS though human souls should be free to
enjoy the warmth and the beauty OF
their short young day giadsOmely, as
the gay butterflies that chased each other
wantonly from flower to flower.
Warburton threw himself on the
ssnd at her feet no troubles of con-
science disturbed him il was another
triumph won; being won already he
could take It calmly. and he watched the
woman little curonsly as the color
slowly faded from her cheeks and her
hands clasped each other heiplessiy,
while her proud head bowed itself be-
meath the shame that covered her.
"WhO would have thought it the
creature has something Of conscience, "
unused the man. cit is Troublesome,
but it makes the game more interest
iGg." lie let her alone moment or
two, languidly enjoying her beauty, aud
intellectually reiishnng the study OF &
weak, tempted, struggling human soul
since that soul was a woman's; though
he must not let the struggle be too long
continued. lest the issue might grow
doubtful so much he recognized
cognizing, too. that after the battle with
her own higher self the woman, III her
weakness and her WEAKNESS, would he
all the easier conquered by an external
tempter
Bah there was scare a psychological
phase q woman could 20 through ON her
downward path OF which this man did
not know the outward signs he had
pl. yod both Mephis,ophelss and Faust
combined IL his own person too often
not to recognize every point OF vantage.
That night Mrs. Bnrrell was gayer than
her wont. Tho house where they were
staying was full of those odds and ends
OF English society so often to be found
abroad-people whose purses, repnta-
tons, health. and happiness have gone
TO wreck aud who make the best they
can of the remainder in out oi-the-way
places where their histories are nn-
known. With her youth, her beauty,
and her husbands wealth, Hrs. Burrell
reiqned queen of place whore there
was little OF attractive womanhood to be
met. and it scarcely needed her gift of
,.ong 10 win her I'll the admiration and
slattsry even she could wish. She had
sung again and again as though she
could never tire. and her reckless laugh
echoed through the roop, and grated on
her husbands fastidious ears even more
than the songs she had chosen. yet never
had HE pitiiai heart ached 50 much for
the woman he yet loved.
some answering magnetism in his own
,sta,re rendered him conscious OF the
storm OF passion that was snrging within