Argosy and Railroad Man's Magazine — page 173: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE HAMMER. 515 steady her lips trembled. That sight was like a cheer of victory to Beatrice. “In what way?” she said rapidly. “In all ways! He was on the high road to fame before you came. The protégé of the Holy Father, the friend of Guido Strochini, that horrible man, the sculptor whom cardinals named with pride as their friend. And now you have struck him down from his high place into the dust at your side where you grovel!” “No, no!’? moaned Sonia. “ It is/ not true! From his own lips he told me that I had taken the veil from his eyes; that through me he came to see—”’ “Peace!” cried Beatrice, trembling. “ A madness has come to him, but it will pass. You may undo part of the crime against him. Confess freely before the Holy Father. He will remove you gently from Rome. You may live your life as you will in another place, but spare Peter’ from further ruin! If you confess all will be well. The Pope shall forgive him; the great will return to his side; Rome will be again at his feet!” “And our love—” “Do. you think he prizes any woman be- side his work with the®chisel and hammer? Do you think he would change all the wo- men in the world for one creation of beauty in white stone?” She saw Sonia wince and shut her eyes as » if she had been struck heavily across the face. “For a day or two he might fall into a mood for thee, but the hammer is the only wife he can ever love truly. His work will drive you a thousand leagues back in his memory, a pretty, forgotten thing—a singing girl! Pah!” “ He said—” “Words are easily born. But look you, girl, if you free him from this slavish con- trol he will go on to greatness!” “And to you,” said Sonia, breathing quickly. Beatrice raised the lantern above her head. The light flamed on her jewels. It flashed in the diamond net that rested over her throat. It glimmered over her gown of woven threads of gold. “‘ Will you compare yourself with me?” “Alas! you are beautiful!” she said. “What can you bring him except the companionship of beggars and disgrace? In my halls he shall company with princes! He shall inherit a vast wealth! He shall quarry his own marbles in Carrara and bring the stone of Greece in his own ships! What can you give him to compare with this? Ruin, disgrace, scorn, shame and hate! Suppose you live. He will see the token of his fall in the very brightness of your eyes! His love will turn to loathing! His glance will be an eternal reproach!” “ Lower the lantern! Mine eyes dazzle,” said Sonia. Ah,” said Beatrice, “why do I say these words to a nameless creature? It is not love you have for him, but a foul passion, fer love would make you die a thousand times before you would be his ruin!” She stopped, marveling at the change which came about in the face of Sonia. The crimson of rage and fear died away. Her eyes fell on Beatrice with a level glance, under which the great lady trembled so that all her jewels glowed and flashed. : “ Lady. Beatrice,” she said, ‘“ I have little knowledge, and I should thank you for showing me the true way!” The poniard of Beatrice clinked on the flocr as she clasped her hands. “You will make the confession? You will confess? Ah, I knew that those wide eyes told of a great heart beneath them! I will make you rich, and—~” Sonia drew a quick breath and turned her eyes suddenly away. ‘Do not name it! Let me be alone! Go, for I shall do all that you wish!” “Ah, God! And what will you tell them?” “TY have heard a tale of witchcraft. I shall speak of wax images. I—lI pray you go!” fhontaa “Do not touch me!” “Will you hate me for telling you—the truth?” “The thought of him has been in my heart like a child in the womb of a mother, and now that love shall be still-born and have a grave without a name.” ‘7 shall find a way to make you happy.” ““ Aye, by leaving me.” : Sie comnliclooolks.comnn =