Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1907-06-13

She gave him the impression of no
ing wholly surprised at the recogni-
ton OF his power over her. He watch
ed her face flush beneath his glance
with thrill of exultation. More than
once she seemed to make an effort to
break away from the spell of his in
fiuence, but always something more
powerful than her own will seemed to
draw her back into 1t.
And he? His brain whirled when he
tried to think 1t all out. What was
this strange feeling which shook him
at times like the reed the wind plavs
with? He had deliberately set about
making himself master of this wom-
ans heart If she had any. He was
sure he had succeeded beyond what
he had dared hope for, and vet
there was not that triumph I'm the
knowledge that he had expected TO
find. When he was with her she
seemed to be all that was womanlv
and become like other women who
love men because to love was what
they were born for. At such times
he shivered when he thought of the
revenge he had been working for Rut
the thought of poor Deane made his
heart harden within him. and SybiI
Leith would have 1shuddered at the
look which came into his face at such
times. If she could have seen it. he
felt sure.
One evening he was pacing I'D and
down the beach, thinking. He had
strange thoughts for company nova
days. His moods were as contradic-
tory as the winds that shifted half
dozen times a day. He was an
enigma to himself.
Suddenly he felt the presence OF
another. Without looking about. he
knew that Sybil Leith was near him.
What brought you here?" he cried,
presently, wheeling about to face
her.
Il came because I couldn't help
coming" she answered. 81 saw YOU
coming this way, and felt compelled
to follow"
Compelled to follow The thought
was one that gratified the mans pride.
because 1t told of the extent of his
influence over her. He was her mas
ter And how much the mastery Of
such woman meant The thought
sent the blood tingling to his finger
tips.
A swift thought of Griffith Deane,
as he had seen him last, trying to
stupefy the ache Of his heart in a bout
OF drunken revelry, came to him, and
his face hardened under it.
Answer me one question, and an
swer 1t honestly. If you can," he cried,
in almost brutal harshness. You
love me-isn't that sol"
She lifted her eyes to his face with
look in them that he had never
seen there before. The hand that she
pressed against her breast as If to
still the tumult OF the heart beneath
shook like a leaf in the wind. She
seemed trying to speak, but no words
came. But in her face, and in every
gesture he thought he read admission
of the truth. She did love him.
Il am glad of It'll" he cried. and his
voice had a hard, cruel ring in it.
Now you will know what men have
felt when you won their love for the
sport of it--what poor Griffith Deane
felt when you lured him on to de-
struction, and laughed at him for the
pain it gave him to find out the
truth"
Don't you love me?" she cried.
Have you deceived me, lied to me?
o, the shame Of it! And you a mani"
Her voice had a ring of scorn In 1t.
Then the momentary anger died out
of her face. and she covered abjectly
before him. Have pity. have PITY"
she cried. IF men will love me, can
l help it?"
Have you ever tried to keep them
from it?" he asked. ANY woman
can make a man understand how far
1t is safe to go. If she will. Do you
know the pleasure it gives me to
know that I can make you suffer as
your victims have suffered?"
She sank upon the sands, and COW
cred her face with her hands. He
turned to go. He dared not trust him.
self to stay
20 be mercifuli" she cried. Hate
The woman / was, but have a little
pity for the woman I am. Kiss me
once i just once!-before you go.
Leave me the memory of that one
kiss to keep for all time to come.
may live to be old-so old!"
He paused a moment, wavering.
The thought came to him that the
woman he had waged warfare against
was dead. This was another woman.
And she loved him.
20 come back" she cried. Come
back long enough to tell me that you
have little pity for me. VIII not
the thought OF what have lost, in los
ing you, be punishment enough to sat
isfy you? Come backbone back"
In that moment there came to Main
waring thought of the future.
Through all eternity he would hear
that cry ringing in his ears If he re-
fused to heed it. He dared not face
such hell as that would be. And
she loved himl
He strobe to her side, remembering
now only that love wes sweet. He
bent down to her and cried as he did
so: