The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-03-13
A CURTAIN RAISER.

IN MS QdQQS- IN LEOnb OF MIN bD6
empty bottle and the big knife. The tai
low drips from the Pickering candle.
He had drunk himself into state of
inconsistencies several nights of late He
would go to sleep, but not in yonder bedl
HorribleI Here on the old chest he sinks
down and leans with his back against the
wall
His head falls forward on his breast, his
eyes close. His arm hanging down by his
side swings to and fro once or twice.
Then it becomes stiff. Sleep; forgetful-
ness; death.
Knock, knock, knock on the door, first
gently and then louder. Closely wrapped
in cloak covered with snow a woman
slips in on her tiptoes. She throws off
the dark cloak, and in dazzling beauty and
dressed in gold and diamonds she stands
there-ColumbineI
"Ha, Pierrotl'
She approaches him and gazes search
ingly upon his face.
Hpw old he has growni How wretch
ed he Iooksl
Surprising he were to strike mo again
and throw me out into the streetl''
Then her eye falls upon the big knife
lying beside the bread, and she starts.
IF he strikes me No, no; I
am afraid 1 will go!''
Hurriedly she wraps her fur cloak
around her so as almost to conceal her face
and is about to leave the room on tiptoe
when
Pierrot awakes. He sees her He thinks
he is still dreaming. Who is she? What
does she want?
Say what you wantl" he says. She
let's fall her cloak from her shoulders.
Tableaux and deep silence.
''Leave!' and he opens the door wide.
"Leave!"
1T is 50 oold-it is snowingi Have
pity!'
you are right. Stay here"
"Thank you,'' she says in a low voice.
She tries to kiss his hand, but he pushes
her away with scorn and disgust.
''Do not touch me!'' he cries.
She shrinks back, keeping her eye fixed
upon his face and thinking how she can
touch him and get him in her power.
Step by step she glides toward Pierrot
her hands, her eyes, her lips, all beseech-
ing him for forgiveness. But when he
feels her warm body against his own he
repels her and thrusts her back roughly.
But again and again she moves up to
him, and by degrees his hatred begins to
lessen and passion to rise in his throat.
His hands tremble, his face grows white
chalk, and the anguish of passionate
love shows itself in his features. Column
bine puts her arms round him and presses
him to her breast, covering his mouth and
eyes with her kisses.
Columbine triumphs and passing smile
hovers round her mouth.
'FYou smile, but 1 weep" says Pierrot.
1.-THE tears have furrowed my cheeks.
You have sold yourself. This DRESS this
gold, this jewelry.'' He raises his fist as
if about to strike her.
You have forgiven me, mUrmurs the
enchantress. LOOK at me, am 1 not
beautiful?'
Eyes, you are beautiful-too beautiful,
groans Pierrot. Il have no heart left
you have taken it from me. I am coward
~ and weak But you still belong to me,
and will love YOU
He draws her toward him. She repels
him. She thrusts him back, and her eyes
begin to flash
You turned me OUT
Forgiveness" he begs.
"On your knees!''
He kneels before her.
''Your head on the groundl''
He hesitates a moment and then bends
his head to the boards She places her foot
upon his neck and laughs mockingly at
his humiliation
Pierrot springs to his feet and puts his
hands to her white throat.
s'And what if I strangle yod?" he cries.
do it'' she replies quietly.
She stretches her bare white neck out to
him. She looks into his eyes. His tight
ened fingers loosen their hold of her flesh,
and he groans:
She taps him on the forehead with her
jeweled finger
You poor fool!''
eyes, 1 am a fool. My reason has left
me-
And he stares into vacancy, his face
white his eyes fixed.
Il shall go to sIeep,'' says Columbine.
ST am tired. Good night"
Pierrot is alone. He passes his hand
over his forehead and tries to collect his
thoughts. There she is yonderI Behind
those curtains, she who deceived him, and
who will continue to deceive him.
He looks at himself in the little cracked
mirror How pale his face is, and his eye
falls upon the table where the big knife
lies.
The big knife draws him toward it with
horrible fascination.
No, mol 1t is horrible! He cannotl
The knife the knife.
Pierrot turns away with great effort
and draws his trembling hand through
horrible temptation.
TIE knife, the knifel
Slowly Pierrot draws close to the table.
He mops the perspiration in great drops
from his forehead.
With precipitate steps he filings himself,
as it were upon the knife, and his greedy
eyes cannot feast themselves enough on
the glittering steel blade.
He seizes the handle with convulsive
Grin and with staring pvoc and in
step, like a sleepwalker, takes step for
ward toward the bed.
The curtains close behind him. 1t is
! seen how they toss and shake their folds
in the CHASTITY struggle.
A shrill cry, a gurgling, rattling sound
IN the throat
Pierrot appears, white and bewildered.
There is blood dripping warm and thick
from his knife. His clothes are bespat-
] 4 I. !.