Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1894-07-21


"Prince Kalisch, ut your solicita'
tions this morning, granted an In
terview to Signora Tosca- did not
however, grant one TO you"
The blood leaped into the old Rus
SLAMS cheek at this affront, but Z
gentle pressure from La Tosca's hant
upon his arm restrained him and pre-
vented him from giving utterance Il
the hot words which were upon hi
lips.
'T have accompanied this lady y
her friend, Baron Scarpia," he said, a
calmly as he could, ''and her pres
ence forbids me to answer yor
as you deserve. ! am neither
an italian nor Frenchman
and the day may come when ] shall
force you TO realize that fact"
Scarpia made no reply, but con
tented himself with scornful shrul
Of the shoulders. Prince Kalisch'i
position In Russia was o high one, and
The regent OF police did not dare h
revoke him too far.
kalisch turned TO La Tosca, ani
4 er few reassuring words, spoken
n q tone too low for the regent u
ieur, and warm clasp of the hand
he left her alone with the arbiter o.
her fate.
Madame" said the regent, "yor
have demanded an interview OF mi
md l am ready to listen TO You. How
can / serve you?'
As s, arpia spoke Floria raised hei
,yes his face, face in which there
wus no mercy, no pity; as the scene o.
The previous night rose wildly before
her, when this man had listened un
moved to her entreaties, her hear
sank within her. She strove to speak
but her trem bling lils gave forth nc
sound.
"uave courage, madame" sale
;carpia. "Despite the unfortunate
occurrence of last ght which
ircpiy regret on your account, i All
no ogre, especially to beautiful
woman like Yourself"
Under ordinary circumstances, the
CLAN of bold, insulting admiration
which accompanied these words would
have aroused Floria's anger, but she
was not here to think for herself. Hei
one idea. her one hope in life, was u
save her lovers life: every other con
sideration was as nuught With handi
outstr, tched in supplication. she sank
ON her knees at the feet Of the man
VIII alone could determine Mario's
fate and her own.
Have pity upon him." she faltered,
brokcnly. His life is in your hands
Show mercy to him n, W, us you hope
for mercy one day from a greater
judge than yourself"
The regent moved a step forward.
"iou, ut my feet, madame" he
said. "Ah. no: our places should be
reversed should be ut yours" and
taking her hand lie assisted her to rise
and led her 10 char. "Sit down,
madame, insist"
Floris obeyed, mechanically. She
wss puzzled at the reg nts manner.
{ ould IL mean that after all there was
something human about him? Was
there chance that her entreatie,
would prove successful?
'Ah! Baron" she said, hope arising
in her breast "iou will listen to my
prayers, YOU will spare his liie?'
I, regent sat still, drumming with
one hand upon the table; he had always
admired Floria Tosca. Ills rross na-
ture had long ago been captivated by
her charms. but this by no means
changed hi, determination TO take
Mario's life in revenge f,r AMI, lotti's
escape.
FOR you ! would do almost any.
thing" he said slowly, but this,
fear. is impos ible."
Impossible No. mo-" she cried,
wildly. "ltcan not be. it shall not be,
impossible. An. Signo'. you do no,
know what you are saying; you did
not mean it: you could n mean it.
See. BE reasonable! be Just. What has
he done? Rescued q man who threw
himself on his protection. Who would
not have done the same? And for this
he Is TO die. No. no. it is shameful,
II is horrible. You did not mean 1t!
lou will I allow 1t :"
He has sheltered a political pris-
oner. The penalty is death. sim
ply do my duty"
"Your duty" she cried passion
ately, starting to her feet You dare
say that. Is 1t your duty to torture,
to kill, 10 destroy? Have you no
heart? Is there no human feeling in
You to which ! can appeal? save
him. Save h IN
She stooi before HIM, her eyes
rive,. d upon him In an agony OF appeal.
Her mantle had d opped from her
shouldc s, her hair was Gisordered and
fell about her IN clustering SHOW er> OF
ruddy gold. and her hands were
clasped tightly across her breast Her
beauty was not lost upon Scarpia.
"a wan mil ut well isk his soul for
q woman like that" he thought
"This painter has had rire luck"
Listen" she proceeded, hall
a. the Baron made no reply
to her appeal "i.;s'en. All. God
give me the power to reach his heart!
See, Signor, see-you do not under.
stand--l am sure you do not under.
stand 1t Is not one life You are taking
it Is tw.; for my life is bound up In
his. love him He is all have on
earth-he IS my ido., my religion! ]
can not live without him! Think,
think, Signor IL was I, my jealousy,
my folly, that has brought him to this!
Pardon for him Pardon ! can not he
the cause OF the death of tile one
love. You will not be so cruel. You
are all powerful you have ~ one
word to speak. liy all y = ear,
by the memory OF your n her. by
your hopes Of heaven, speak that
word"
The regent remained immovable.
Colby, almo brutally, he replied:
MADAME. further argument Is USE
less. You ask for this mans life. You
cannot have it."
With iiasi.ing eyes, dilated nostrils,
and passion trembling lips, she turned
on him:
al derer::" she cried. ''Brigand!
| q;nA 8 n |