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THE FIFTH STRING
"Only a fancy," he said, feigning indifference.
"Though you would not remove it at my wish this afternoon, Angelo; I know you will not refuse to play on it for me now."
He raised his hands in supplication. "Mildred! Mildred! Stop! do not ask it!"
"You refuse after I have come repentant, and confessing my doubts and fears? Uncle Sanders said you would not play upon it for me; he told me it was wrapped with a woman's hair, the hair of the woman you love."
"I swear to you, Mildred, that I love but you!"
"Love me? Bah! And another woman's tresses sacred to you? Another woman's pledge sacred to you? Tasked you to remove the string; you refused. I ask you now to play upon it; you re-
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