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

Cavaradossi shall live. There stands
before you O man whom single word
from you will make happier than q
king
a low cry, q cry of horror and dis.
gust, broke from her lips She under.
stood now, and II the lightning OF
Italian eyes could strike d, ath the re-
gent OF police would have gone down
before the flash that shone upon him,
a. La Tosca adva iced n step or two to-
W. I'd him, splendid In her fury-an in
suited Semiram S.
slow dare you?" she cried, with
concentrated passion. "How dare
you?"
Dare" replied Scarpia, with a
hooking laugh. "You forget that you
are in my power. Your anger
only makes you handsomer still, my
beautiful fury, md increases your
power over my heart"
Like an outraged goddess. she
turned from him and walked rapidly
toward the door. Just as she was
about to turn the handle, Scarpia's
voice again fell upon her ear, cold,
calm. emotionless:
"And Mario CAVIAR dossi dies to-
morrow"
She stopped short. In her insulted
womanhood she had forgotten. In
this fiend's hands rested the life OF the
man she loved. She turned AMI stag
gered back to the regents side She
strove to speak, but her pallid lips re-
fused all utterance. All The blood had
abandoned her exquisite face, 'eaving
II white as marble: h arms hung
ifel, ssly on either 81 Of her DO y,
as though the muscles had suddenly
relaxed. and she sought the support Of
the table. for her yielding limbs
seemed sinking under her.
Scarpia watched her with an omin-
GUS smi e, reveling in the agony OF this
woman's soul.
"My God" she moaned. "My God!
Do you permit this devil to live?
The regents smile deepened. Her
suffering would only make his ulti.
mate triumph, of which he now felt
confident, the sweeter.
Listen he said calmly. ~ was
mistaken when ] said there was 10 way
out of the Gitficu ty, that just ce must
take its urse. had forgotten. Some
months ago there was O criminal con-
demnei to death, whom for personal
reasons | wished 10 live. Public opin'
ion forbade that he should be par
doned. The guns were loaded with
Simply q charge Of powder. The man
fell, feigning death, and when the
squad Of soldiers had withdrawn wa
enabled to escape. The same thing
can be done in this case. 1t oil rests
with you.'
She listened to him like one in q
trance. The only thing that seemed
living about her were her eyes, which
CLEANED and glowed like Goals Of fire.
"Spare me! Sp re me-" she faltered,
almost in a whisper. mo one with an
atom of humanity could ask this"
"lt rests with you"
No answer A sickening sense OF
horror had taken possession OF her;
she wondered il she were going mad.
"Your answer" demanded the pitt
less voice.
a shiver passed over her frame.
Never
The word fell mechanically, rs from
the lips OF an automaton.
Scarpia stretched out his hand and
caught the bell rope.
M"As you please" he said. "Cnder
these circumstances ! shall be COM
PEELED to order the execution at once
at once, do you understand"
These words were like IN electric
shock to Floria; In IN instant the
lethurgy which had enveloped her waf
dissipated.
"Stop." she cried, feverishly.
Scarpia paused, his face turned to-
wari her, his heavy sensual lips
parted, his hot breath almost tanning
her face.
"Your pleasure, madameT'
"You will save him?
''On one condition. yes"
'You will swear it?'
81 will swear It."
There In y crucifix there on thu
wall Place your hand upon Il and -
peat the conditions"
scarpia did rs requested.
As he finished. Tor an instant she
stood perfectly still. Then. throwing
out her hands with n gesture OF hope
less horror and despair. she cried in
wild, broken voice from which all the
music had fed:
80 be IL then! I accept your terms
Dominant. donnantl My honor for hii
lifeI''
(ro Bk coSTiSrED.t