The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1889-06-21
"You are very truthful, at all evonts," Ia

| the government or his own country NJ an >
moment, and give him the fate of IL doserter
and traitor? On your head would his blood
be"
'To do so would be but in keeping with
your conduct and character" shc answered
calmly as ever, though every vestige of color
fled from her face at the terrible threat.
"And more," he said, slowly and sternly,
with his ruthless eyes taking in every sign of
emotion in the young white face before him.
81 will have your husband treated like a dos
till he dies dogs death, and with his las
breath curses your name as the giver of hi.
tortures! Do you know what he believes yoI
10 be?"
The gray shadows OF desperation fell over
Der, changing all her beauty into the chill
colorless repose of marble.
"What vileness have you told him2" she
demanded. He laughed aloud.
"Oh, have touched you at last2 Well. he
thinks you what I have made you-the
sharer of my wealth-the mistress of my
heart"
| A cry Of agony thrilled from her very soul
as she heard those terrible words. "You
| have told him that" she walled. "Oh,
| Heaven! are you u man ora fend?"
sI am what my lovo for you as made me.
| She throw herself at his feet in a sudden
paroxysm of weeping that shook her as
| storm blast shakes sapling ooh, for Gods
sake have mercy" she cried "What have
done that you should try mo thus But q
few short months ago, I was a glad-hearted
innocent girl, and now-oh, now-tears o.
blood could not wash away the memory o.
my sufferngs and with all am innocen
still. have not done ono wrong or shnme.
full thing and hero you have made me in his
eyes so vile, so infamous, that never aglil
will his heart hold OF me one tender memory
one gcntle thought. You are q man-you
had Il mother once-can her memory moi
plead for mo? What use would it be ii
made myself the thing you wish-if for your
wealth's sake bartered my own solo possos-
sion? II you bought me as a slaYe who hates
her owner and despises her slavery? For
| loved once, but my love is all gone and given
for all time, and never through the furthes
stretch of years 1 live, can 1 give it again.
Oh, let me be, and spare him. Can you not
sell your pity at my pleading"
'You will not sell your beauty at NINE"
"Oh God, I cannot"
"Even to spare his life?, Even to buy hi
release? At a word from you will set hin
free. He may rcturn to his country In safety
30 much can do for him, at least. Will you
not say the word, Ninette?"
"If you would only kill me-" she moaned
'Nay, that would be foolish, indeed" hi
said, with the cold, cruel smile she hated
"You are young and beautiful, you hav'
youth and passion, and even your strength
will not be always strong. No, can afford
to wait, Ninette."
She roso and faced him with despair ter
rible rs death.
II have told you cannot love. What
more do you seek2"
"To tame you, ma belle. Your are wilt
now as Il young fettered falcon. Well, like
the falcon. would have you tremble, anC
grow meek, and love the hand that has cap
tured you unwillingly. You are reckless
proud, dehant-all these qualities charm me
would not have them changed for worlds
You are foolish and unreasonable otherwise
you would not be woman. Well, be it so.
ilm not angered, but am resolved. Do wha
1 wish, or you sacrifice both father and
husband (you see have learnt your secret
10 your obstinate folly"
| She looked at him silently, with lonthini
| and contempt that were eloquent, though
wordless, and for once made his face husi
and his eyes sink before the naughty chal
leIge of her own.
81 wonder if God made men," she said
| quietly. 81 think it must have been th'
devil"
| He laughed aloud.
"Men have thought the same of women
my dear. many time"
81 doubt not, when such men. as you ex
ist."
'We are not very mplimentary. ma belle
Be wise, Ninetto, and yield ere it is too late
You cannot hold Quit is impossible strong
as you think yourself. You are heroic, fool
] ish, mad, just now. If your husband lovcC
you would not wonder ut your obstinacy-
but he does not-he hates and despises you.
ooh. ceasel" she walled.
| "It hurts you to hear il? OF course. N,
woman likes to think she loves in vain,
pursued the mocking voice of her tormentor
well, you are innocent, and you suffer al
the shame and ignominy of guilt. What i,
you gain from constancy. This man believe
you fled from the security of your homo will
Il lover that weared of that lover you hav
now come to me! You SEQ you gain nothin;
by your refusal. He will never believe you
| life guiltless though you swore it by ever,
| oath that ever bound liDs to the truth Surel,
you see your folly2"
II see your vileness. If my hatred coult
deepen, your words would sound its Lowest
depths"
$50 be it," he said calmly, in no wa,
shamed by her scorn. 81 will give you 81!
days to consider your decision. With tn
seventh l am here again. But remember
each day adds fresh tortures to your hus
bands life; his health is weak his priva
tionS great. You condemn him to Il hare
fate, and for what? the chimera of virtu,
none believe in-he least of all. What d,
you sayP"
"What do I say?" she replied slowly, al
she turned her heavy, piteous eyes on hi
hard and scofIlnS face. Il say this. won
der no longer that women ere now hav
found strength and will for murderp Ant
she turned away us if indeed tho deed sh
spoke OF had already breathed its tempting
10 her oul.
He gave the preconcerted signal agreed ol
between Leon Monprat and himself, and thu
door opened to allow of her egress. Like 1
bird freed from its prison, she flew from III,