Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-08

1t last? Would it be true, faithful, tender ?
Above all, would it be real, even for mo-
ment? She asked herself thousand ques-
Jions in a second of time.
Then the ready excuse flashed upon her
the prete1t which the heart will always ind
when it must have its way. Was it not pos
sible, after all that he was beginning to love
her even now? Might not that outburst of
friendship which had surprised her and
wounded her so deeply be the herald of a
stronger passion7 She looked up quickly
Gnd met his vacant stare.
''Do YOU love me?" she asked, almost be-
fore she knew what she was going to say.
mo" The answer came in the far-off
voice that told of his unconsciousness, a
mere toneiess moaosyllable breathed upon
the murkv air But it stabbed her like the
thrust of a Jagged knife. A long silence
followed, and Unorna leaned against the
great slab of carved sandstone.
Even 10 her there WAS something awful in
his powerleSS, motionleSs presence. The
noble face, pale and set, as under n mask,
the thoughtful brow, the dominating iea-
lures were not those of a man born TO be a
plaything TO the will of a woman. The
commanding figure lowered in the grim
surroundings like dark statue, erect, un-
moving, and in no way weak. And vet
she knew that she had but TO speak and the
figure would move, the lips would form
words. the voice would reach her ear. He
would raise this hand or that, step forward
or backward, at her command, affirm what
sne bid him affirm, and deny whatever she
chose to hear denied. For moment she
wished that he had been as Keyork Arabian,
stronger than she; then, with the halt-con-
scious comparison, the passion for the man
himself surged up and drowned every other
h., 81 hot fnr hn
time be was not TO be counted among the
living. She went to him, and ciasped her
hands upon his shoulder, and looked up
into his Scarce-seeing eyes.
You must love me, she saidi you must
love me, because l love you so. VIII you
not love me, dear? l have waited SO long
for you"
The soft words vibrated in his sleeping
ear, but drew forth neither acknowledgment
nor response. Like q marble statue he
stood still, and she leaned upon mis- shoul-
der.
''Do you not hear me?" she cried in a
more passionate tone. do you not under
stand me? Why is it that your love is so
hard to win? Look at me! Might not any
man be proud to love me? Am | not beau
tiIul enough for you? And yet l know that
/ am fair. Or are YOU ashamed because
reople call me witch? Why, then, L will
never be one again, for YOUR sake! What do
care for 1t all? Can it be anything to me
caa ANYTHING have worth that stands be-
tween me and YOU? An, loye-be not so
very hard''
Ihe Wanderer did not move. His face
was as calm as sculptured stone.
'Do YOU despise me for loving you?" she
ed again with a sudden flush.
No. l do not despise you" Something
her tone mad pierced through his stupor.
nd rad found an answer. She started at
ne sound of his voice. 1t was as though he
had been awake and had known the weight
OF what she had been saying, and her anger
rose at the cold reply.
''No-vou do not despise me, and YOU
never shall!' she exclaimed, passionately.
y on shall love me, as love you-I will
il. with all nv live. We are created to be
a. one to the other, and you shall not break
through the destiny OF love. Love me, as
/ love vou-Iove me with all your heart,
love NE with all your mind, love me with
all your soul love me as man never loved !
woman since the world beganl 1 will il, l |
command lit shall be as L Sav-you dare |
not Gisobev me-you cannot If you would.
She paused, but this time no answer came. |
There was not even i contraction of the |
stony features.
do you hear all l say" she asked.
= hear.
Then understand and answer me" she
said
- do not understand. ] cannot answer"
you must. You shall. / will have it so.
You cannot resist MY will, and L will it with
all nv might. You have no will-you are
mine, vour body, your soul and your
thoughts. and Won must love me with them
all until YOU die-unul you die" she re-
peated tiercelv.
Again be was silent She felt that she |
had no hold upon his heart or mind, seeing
that be was not even disturbed by her re-
peated efforts
Are you stone, that you do not know
what love is" She cried, grasping his hand
in hers. and looking with desperate eyes
into his face.
Il do not know what love is" he an
svercd slowly.
Then l viii tell you what love is, she
said. and she took his hand and pressed it
uuou her OWN brow.
The Wanderer started at the touch, as
though he would nave drawn back. But
Size held him ast and so far, at least, he
was utterly subject 20 her. His brow con-
,racted 3arkly. and his face grew paler.
Read it there, she cried. Enter into
nv soul and read what love is, in his own