He moved away and she reached to seize his garment, repeating, "I
would kiss thy lips--I would kiss thy lips!"
He turned aside, and forgot her, as he continued his warning cry, and
went his way.
The next day she waylaid the youth again; as he came near she suddenly
and softly stepped forth and said in that same low, purring voice, "I
would kiss thy lips!"
He repulsed her with scorn.
She threw her arms about him and sought to draw his head down near
hers.
He pushed her from him with sinewy hands, sprang as from a pestilence,
and was lost in the pressing throng.
That night she danced before Herod Antipas, and when the promise was
recalled that she should have anything she wished, she named the head
of the only man who had ever turned away from her. "The head of John
the Baptist on a charger!"
In an hour the wish was gratified.
Two eunuchs stood before Salome with a silver tray bearing its
fearsome burden.
The woman smiled--a smile of triumph, as she stepped forth with
tinkling feet.
A look of pride came over the painted face.
Her jeweled fingers reached into the blood-matted hair. She lifted the
head aloft, and the bracelets on her brown, bare arms fell to her
shoulders, making strange music. Her face pressed the face of the
dead.