The man's tones were alive with a fury of passion. "Did you
have mercy? Was there one merciful, womanly emotion in your cruel,
selfish heart when you sent those men, that man to his death for ten
thousand filthy dollars? Pray to God for mercy, not to me."
A curious sullen light dawned in the woman's eyes. But even as it
dawned it faded with the man's movement to depart.
"You--you won't leave me?" she pleaded. "Oh, Jeff, I love you so.
What I did was in ignorance, in cruel, selfish longing. I had been
reduced to the life of a drudge without hope, without even a house fit
for existence. I believed I had honest right. I believed even that my
act was a just one. Jeff, Jeff, don't leave me, don't drive me out of
your life. I cannot bear it. Anything, anything but that. My God, I
don't deserve it. I don't--true. Jeff--Jeff!"
Her final appeal came as the man, without a word, passed through the
open window. She followed him in a desperate hope. But the hope was
vain. She saw him mount the fresh horse which had been brought round
and left at the tying post.
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