Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-03-15
MASTER an0
SLAVE E sy i. 7Ho.,.
Copyright. 1901, by T. H. Thorpe.
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pect OF open field and rigid forest, the
creeping shadows OF evening and
Laure's words, "They dread her curse
the more because she Is dead" worked
insidiously upon the scoffer a sense of
the uncanny, and EvariSte was OBJ
pressed by feeling OF the presence OF
the old doctress. Dreamily he fell into
reverie, In which he seemed to receive
presentiment from the white haired
oracle. A footstep recalled him, and he
started, as IL ut an apparitlon. upon be-
holding Laure, her head barred and the
luxuriant hair tumblins In wavelets
about her forehead, clad In the gown
OF flmy, clinging fabric she had worn
the day he gave her the crescent Of
rubles and diamonds. Her ripened fig-
ure. Of voluptuous contour, strained to
the utmost the delicate enveloping It's
sue. Entreaty was In her moist eyes,
passion In her mantiing cheeks. Quiv-
ering lips~an 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. Evariste and
( NSlSh wen W uoi VIII mere
was intense pleading In her voice. and
| as she drew near to him he could see
| the rapid throbbing Of the veins I'm her
| sGtiny 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 ma.
ture. do. It Is gift. Your passions
| possess you, II you attempt to hide
| them, they consume you. Opposition
Stays discretion and sends you on reck.
! less courses. You have never been
happy. You envied your brother. His
very generosity lrritated you. His for.
tune you coveted and his Intended
1 wife. Both desires were enemies TO
! your content. Your heart was lighter
! when yeu had none Of his fortune than
now that you possess II all. You would
be more at peace with only the half be
! promised you"
Alarm came to Evarists-s face at
these words, but whether she detected
1t 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 n 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,
"and 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 I am
saying" Laure implored. BE Just to
yourself, Evariste, and to me. L know
that fine ladies would condemn me In
this, but ] know they would be hypo-
critics. Abandon the pursuit OF that
which can only desolate your life, and
! -and-come, Evariste, to me, who
alone cam Her speech was stifed by
a rising sob. Opening her arms to
him, devouring him with her passion
lit eyes, her face aiame, she put aside
restraint from her words, which came
burning from her ravishing lips. ooh,
Evariste, love you! I care not what
you think of me for saying IL. 1 love
you. Do you hear, Evariste2 I love
you. My love is not what these people
about us call love. Ny love is myself.
Apart from 1t am not; without 1t ]
cannot breathe or sleep or think-I dc
not exist. And you are my love, you
are my life. Without you cease to
be. Would not you defy the worlds
opinion TO save your life? i live but
once, 1 love but once. Life and love
they are but one to me. Then brave
the world to save my love, nay life"
| Pausing for breath, she saw the
frown which had settled upon his brew,
and as scalding tears coursed down her
cheeks she said In supplicatins tone:
mo other woman can ever know you
so perfectly as do, Evariste. No one
can smooth your path as I can. No
one will ever understand how to stay
and direct your impulses as I will. !
can and win be your watchful guard
ian, your faithful slave. 1t is not
your fortune l crave; 1t Is only you.
All interest in the estate I would re-
nounce. / would sell this little place
my grandmother left and maintain my
self upon It's proceeds. I care nothing
for dress or luxury. It Is only you /
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 nae in
peace and wait not till you must ny to
me for refuge from storm"
| She was on her knees, and her up-
turned face shone with the light of de-
votional prayer.
1t cost Evariste an effort to steel him
self against the power OF such q reve-
lation of beauty and passion. But his
answer was delivered coldly and harsh
| ly.
There is at least one insurmountable
obstacle to what you propose" he
| said.
Name it, and 1 VIII overcome it."
Laure exclaimed hopefully.
You cannot" He gave O cruel en-
phasis to his words. at is your posi-.