The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-03-18
HE PLUNGES
THE COLD STEEL WHILE
SHE SLEEPS

Pierrot sits detected OIL cnair. H1s |
elbows rest on the table, and his face is |
hidden in his hands. In front of him the /,
empty bottle and tho big knife. The tai |
low drips from the Pickering candle.
He had drunk himself into state of |
several nights of late He |
would go to sleep, but not in yonder bed!
HORRIBLE! 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 a cloak covered with snow a woman
slips in on her tiptoes. She throws OF
the dark cloak, and in dazzling beauty and
dressed in gold and diamonds she stands
there-Columbine
''Ha, Pierrot!''
She approaches him and gazes search
ingly upon his face.
''How old he has grown! How wretch
ed he looks
"Supposing he were to strike me again
Then her eye falls upon the big knife
lying beside the bread, and she starts.
IF he strikes me No, no;
am afraid / 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 want9
'Sav what you want!" he says. She
let's fall her cloak from her shoulders.
Tableaux and deep silence.
"Leave!'' and he opens the door wide.
"LeaveI'
1T is SO cold--it is showing! Have
pityr'
"You are right. Stay here"
'Thank you," she says in low voice.
She tries to kiss his hand, but he pushes
her away with scorn and disgust.
'Do not touch men' he cries.
She shrinss 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
as 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 a passing smile
hovers round her mouth.
.'You smile, but 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 l not
beautiful?'
Eyes, you are beautiful-too beautiful, F"
groans Pierrot. II have no heart left
you have taken it from me. l am coward
ly and weak. But you still belong to me,
and will love you. e.
| 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 ground!'
He hesitates 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
"And what if strangle your" he cries.
"Do it'll" 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:
81 cannotr'
She taps him on the forehead with her
jeweled finger.
''Y GU poor fool!'
eyes, / am fool. My reason has left
me-"
And he stares into vacancy, his face
white, his eyes fixed.
II shall go to Sleep" says Columbine
II am tired. Good night"
Pierrot is alone. He passes his hand
over his forehead and tries to collect his
thoughts. There she is yonder Behind
those curtains, she who deceived him, an6
VINO Will commune TO deceive MIN.
He looks at himself in the little cracked
mirror. How pale his face Is, and his eye
falls upon the table where the big knit,
lies
The big knife draws him toward it witt
q horrible fascination.
No, no! 1t is horrible! He cannot
The knife, the knife.
Pierrot turns away with a great effor
and draws his trembling hand through
the air as if to fling away from him thu
horrible temptation.
Tie knife, the knife!
Slowly Pierrot draws close to the table
He mops the perspiration in great drop
from his forehead.
With precipitate steps he filings himself
as 1t were upon the knife, and his greed.
eyes cannot feast themselves enough OF
the glittering steel blade.
He seizes the handle with convulsiv
grip, and with staring eyes and uncertain
step, like a sleepwalker, takes a step for
ward toward the bed.
The curtains close behind him. 1t !
seen how they toss and shake their fold
in the CHASTITY struggle.
A shrill cry, gurgling, rattling soun'
in the throat!
Pierrot appears, white and bewildered
There is blood dripping warm and thicl
from his knife His clothes are bespat
tered with blood.