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Then, as it inevitably had to be, Delilah's beguiling dance of seduction wore down his

resistance, and Samson succumbed to the loveliness of Delilah, who let down her dark tresses and slowly began to undressveil by veil she let fall before Samson fell upon her and bore her back onto the pile of anie darkened just before the curtain dropped

Applause thundered as the curtain came down I noticed a certain look on Melodie's pale face--was that envy? Was she wishing now she'd danced Delilah?

"You would have made the best Delilah," whispered Bart softly, his lips brushing the wisps of hair that curled above her pearl-studded ear "Cindy can't compare"

"You do her an injustice, Bart," answered Melodie "When you consider her lack of rehearsal time, she's perforood she is" Melodie leaned forward to address eneral practice, or else she wouldn't dance as well as she is"

Since the first act of the ballet had gone so well, I leaned back against Chris, who had his arm aboutbeautifully Jory is the most accomplished danseur I've ever seen I'"

"Jory was born to dance," said Chris "If he'd been raised by monks, still he would have danced But I do reirl who hated to stretch her muscles and make them hurt"

We laughed in the way long- ain

While Samson slept on the colorful couch he and Delilah had shared, she cautiously eased off, drew on a lovely gar of the tent and beckoned inside a group of six warriors previously hidden All bore shields and swords Already Delilah had shorn Sa dark hair She held it up triu the timid soldiers confidence

Startled awake, Sah into the air and tried to lift his weapon What was left of his long hair was short and stubby His sword seeth gone His despair washis broith brutal fists for believing in love and Delilah; then he fell to writhe on the ground, twisting about, glaring at Delilah, who torhter He rushed for her, but the six soldiers sprang upon Saht hiled htily to free himself

And all the tie, theof love to Delilah, asking why she had betrayed him Tears flowed down my face to see my son lashed and whipped before he was hauled to his feet and the soldiers began their dance of torture while Delilah watched

Even knowing all this horror was feigned, I cringed against Chris when the branding iron, heated white hot, waseyes The set darkened Only the white-hot iron lit up the stage-- and the ghostly shine on Samson's near nude body The last sound was Saony

The second act curtain lowered Again, there ild applause, and cheers of "Bravo! Bravo!"

Between acts people chatted, got up for ain, but I sat beside Chris almost frozen with dread that I couldn't explain

Beside Bart, Melodie sat as tense as I, her eyes closed and waiting