The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1901-11-20
MAS 7 TR ana
SLAVE r'H TH:;: THORPE
Copyright, 1901. by 7. H. Thorpe.
Copyright, 1901, by T. H. Thorpe.

ure. OF voluptuous contour. strained to
the utmost the delicate enveloping It's
sue. Entreaty was in her moist eyes,
passion in her mantling cheeks QuiV-
ering lips and quick breath betrayed
the agitation Of her heart. Rich. glow
ing, tropical, her beauty was that OF
the red lily. Evariste gazed upon her
IN mute, admiring wonder.
"Hear me patiently, Eyariste, and
weigh we'll what will say" There
was intense pleading in her voice, and
as she drew near to him he could see
the rapid throbbing Of the veins in her
satiny neck. 'You have book learning
and know the ways and rules Of what
is called society. You understand the
business and politics Of men,. But you
do not know yourself or human na-
ture. do. It is gift. Your passions
possess you. If you attempt to hide
them, they consume you. Opposition
slays discretion and sends you on reck-
less courses. You have never been
happy. You envied your brother. His
very generosity irritated you. His for
tune you coveted and his intended
wife. Both desires were enemies to
your content. Your heart was lighter
when you had none Of his fortune than
now that you possess it all. You would
be more at peace with only the half he
promised you"
Alarm came to Evariste'S face at
these words, but whether she detected
it or not she continued her dissection
Of his life without pause.
"And should you acquire the woman
as you did the fortune, your wretched.
ness would be complete and beyond
other cure than death. She will never
love you. Her weak spirit would
yield g fearful, meek submission, which
would rub against the grain Of your
temper, hold you back, fret you and
end in tragedy"
Indeed, Laure, you talk very like q
fortune teller" EvariSte said coldly,
'tand foresee quite career for you
in taking horoscopes. You will have
many patrons, but at present do not
care to be numbered among them"
do not make light Of what, 1 am
saying" Laure implored. "Be just to
yourself, E7ariste, and to me. know
that fine ladies would condemn NE IN
this, but I know they would be hypo'
critics. Abandon the pursuit Of that
which can only desoiate your life, and
-and-co1ae, Evariste, to me, who
alone cam Her speech was stifed by
rising sob. Opening her arms to
him, devouring him with her passion
lit eyes, her face afame, she put aside
restraint from her words. which came
burning from her ravishing lips. "Oh,
Evariste, love you! l care not what
ycu think Of me for saying it. l love
you. Do you hear, Evariste? love
you. My love is not what these people
about as call love. Ny love Is myself.
Apart from it / am not: without It I
cannot breathe or sleep or think-I do
not exist. And you are my love, you
are my life. Without you I cease to
be. Would not you defy the worlds
opinion to save your life: live but
once, I. love but once. Life and love,
they are but one to me-. Then I brave
the world to save my love, my life"
Pausing for breath, she saw the
frown which had settled upon. his brow,
and as scalding tears coursed down her
cheeks she said in supplicating tone:
'No other woman can ever know you
so perfectly as L do. Evariste. No one
can smooth your path as l can. No
one will ever understand how to stay
and direct your impulses as / will. !
can and will be your watchful guard
ian, your faithful slave. 1t is not
your fortune crave; it is only you.
All interest in the estate l would re-
nouoce. would sell this little place
my grandmother left and maintain my
self upon its proceeds. l care nothing
for dress CT luxury. 1t is only you l
want. Oh, come to me, Evariste, and
let me compel your love and happiness!
Save me from myself and let me save
you. from yourself. Come to rue in
peace and wait not till you must fly to
me for refuge from Storm
She was, on her knees. and her up
turned face shone with the light Of de-
votional prayer.
It cost Evariste an effort to steel him
self against the pawer Of such g. reve-
lstion Of beauty and passion. But his
answer was delivered coldly and harsh
".
'AThece Is at least one insurmountable
obstacle to what you propose" he
said.
:cName it, and I will overcome It,"
Laure exclaimed hopefully.
"You cannot" He gave a cruel en-
phasis to bis words. "It is your posi-
ton in QuiIebert's household"
She sprang to her feet, every fiber Of
her being tingIing with the sting Of
this thrust, and glared upon him with
the fury Of wounded tigress.
"You know your words imply mean
lier' she cried. Checking her anger,
covering her burning face for an in
stant and gulping back the bitter
speech, she presented to him an offend
ed countenance struggling for calmness
and added:
"But 80 your way. cannot renounce
you and live. Thus far have waited
and suffered. can endure a little
more. 1t will not last very much lon
ger, for, E7artste, come to me you will
and in the fight Of terror. see It!
will Tait"
There was in her manner the posi-
tiveness Of prescience which awed the
man who had prided himself on i'm
FEASIBILITY, and he turned away per-
turbed and vexed. She re-entered the
dark room and, hinging herself into
the huge chair Of her grandmother, sat
staring into the future until the fury
within her had spent itself. AS if