Part 18 (2/2)
”You? Impossible!” Martha rose in amazement.
”For three months I have made it possible for you to have everything a woman can want,” continued Gordon, calmly, coming to her. ”To-night the climax is reached when you make your appearance as a star--if you appear. While you have thought your natural talents were receiving just recognition, I have been paying the bills.”
”And if what you say is true--all true--what then?” Martha gazed at him blankly, as though dazed.
”This. What I have done, I have done because of my admiration for you.
Up to this moment I have asked nothing in return, but now I do.”
”Return? You mean--?”
”You're not such a fool as you'd have me think. What of the handsome apartment you are living in, furnished by Mr. Weldon and supposed to be paid for out of the salary you are to receive? Do you think Mr. Weldon really paid the rent? No, my dear. I did.”
”No, no, no--I don't believe it,” cried Martha, shrinking from him.
”It's incredible.”
”I don't care a rap for the money I have spent,” cried Gordon, following her. ”I'd give it ten times over if you only loved me.”
”Loved you?” repeated Martha, scornfully. ”How can you--”
”Don't say no too hastily, Martha. I think I care more for you than I ever did for any one else. I'll make you happy. There's nothing that my money won't do or can't do. We can go around the world together--to Paris, Vienna, India, j.a.pan, anywhere you like.” He came nearer.
”Martha, in all the time I have known and loved you, I have never had one kiss. Shall I have the first to-night?”
The girl turned and faced him squarely with flas.h.i.+ng eyes.
”Neither to-night nor any other night,” she cried in ringing tones.
”You mean it?” Gordon's face was pale and drawn.
”Yes.”
”Is that your final answer?” he asked, after a pause.
”It is,” she replied defiantly.
”Then listen to me,” declared Gordon, his face flushed with sudden anger. ”Either you pledge your word to accept me on my own terms here and now, or you will never make your entrance on that stage. Ah,” he added, as Martha reeled at the sudden realization of how completely he controlled the situation, ”that hits your vanity, does it? A nice little story for the newspapers to-morrow. Theater closed, audience dismissed, new star such a pitiful failure that she is too frightened to appear.”
”But that isn't true--that isn't true,” cried Martha.
”Isn't it? Try and convince the public otherwise.”
”I will, and that curtain shall go up to-night” Martha faced him bravely enough, though her courage almost failed her.
”Try it and see whose orders will be obeyed. Listen--the orchestra has finished the overture. Think carefully, for your final answer now decides your fate. You are at the parting of the ways. A future with me, everything you desire, or back to your days of poverty.”
Weldon appeared as Martha seemed to hesitate.
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