The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1893-05-26
.naudible even to the man who held

How came / here?" he asked In
surprise. What has happened to
me?"
You tainted" said Unorna, quiet
ly. You remember that you were
very tired after your journey. The
walk vas too much for you. We will
take you home"
"Yes-yes-I must have tainted.
Forgive met comes over me some
times"
He evidently had complete control
of his faculties at the present moment,
but he glanced curiously from the one
to the other Of his two companions, us
they all three began to walk toward
the gate. Unorna avoided his eyes.
and seemed to be looking at the IT.. eg-
ular slabs they passed ON their way.
In the dilemmain which the Wander
err found himself there was nothing to
be done but to be guided by circum-
stances. He vas not willing to leave
Kafka alone with the woman who hated
him, and he SAY no means of escaping
her society so long as she choose to i'm
pose it upon them both. He supposed,
100, that Unorna realized this as well
as he did, and he tried to be prepared
for all events by revolving all the
possibilities in his mind.
But Unorna was absorbed by very
different thoughts. From time to
time she stole a glance at his face,
and she saw that it was stern and
o016 &c ouor Cho ha @~t
her word, but he did not relent. A
terrible anxiety overwhelmed her. 1t
was possible. even probable, that he
would ~henceforth avoid her. She had
gone too far. She had not reckoned
upon such a nature as his. capable of
being reused to implacable anger by
mere sympathy for the suffering of an
other. Then, understanding it at
last, she had thought it would be
enough that those ~sufferings should
be forgotten by him upon whom they
had been inflicted. She could not
comprehend the horror he felt for her.
self and for her hideous cruelty. She
had entered the cemetery in the con-
seriousness OF her strong will and of
her mysterious powers certain of vic
tory; sure, that having once sacrificed
her pride and stopped so low as to
command what should have come of
itself, she should see his face change
and hear the ring of passion in his
passionleSs voice. She had failed In
that, and utterly. She had been sur
prised by her worst enemy. She had
been laughed to scorn in the moment
of her deepest humiliation, and she
had lost the foundations of friendship
in the attempt to build upon them the
hanging garden of an artificial love.
In that moment, a. they reached the
gate, Unorna was not far from de-
spair.
A Jewish boy, with pulled red lips
and curving nostrils, was lettering at
the entrance. The Wanderer told him
to find a carriage.
Two Carriages" said Unorna.
qui ky. The boy ran out. Il will
go home alone" she added. You
two can drive together"
at is the best arrangement-do you
not think so?n she asked.
'sQuite the best"
II shall be gratifed if you will
bring me word of him." she said,
glancing at Kafka.
The Wanderer was silent as though
he had not heard.
Have you been in pain? Do you
feel as though you had been suffer-
ing?" she asked of the younger man,
in a tone of sympathy and sulicitude.
No. Why do you ask?"
Permit me, he said. Il was be-
fore you here"
You will let me know, will you
not?" she said. Il am anxious about
him"
He raised his eyebrows a little, and
dropped her hand.
you shall be informed" he said.
Kafka helped her get into the car
rSge. She drew him by the hand so
Tat his head was inside the door, and
the other mar could not hear her
words.
Il am anxious about you," she said,
very kindly. Make him come him
self to m and tell me how you are"
''Surely-if you asked him"
He hates me-" whispered Unorna
quickly. s'Unless you make him
come, he will send no message"
"Then let me come myself ain
perfectly well'-
''Hush-no!' she answered hur-
riedly. 'Do as 1 say-it will be best
for vou-and for me. Good-by."
Your word is my law" said
Kafka drawing back.
You are in need of rest" said the
Wanderer watching him curiously.
Indeed, I am very tired, if not
actually ILL"
You have suffered enough to tire
the strongest.
in what wayg" asked Kafka. II
have forgotten what happened. l
know that | followed Unorna to the
cemetery. I had been to her house,
and l saw you afterward together. I
had not spoken to her since 1 came
back from my long journey this norm
ing. Tell me what occurred. Did
she make me sleep? l feel as I have