The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1914-10-24
BY
HENRY RUSSELL MILLER
CHAPTER xxIv-continued.

CHAPTER xxiv-continued.
Together he and Mark dragged Piotr
to the cab and forced him within
Piotr. dazed by Marks appearance. re-
sisted but feebly.
Before the grim majesty Of ap-
preaching death even Piotr's madness
was abashed. The supreme conscious
ness received back the atom that.
when imprisoned in flesh, had been
Roman. II was Kazia who saw.
He Is dead"
The Matka uttered a low moan. then
became silent again, resumed her rigid
gazing at the not less still body. Piotr' 8
hand passed over his eyes in Devil,
dered gesture. The woman who kept
the door made the sign of the cross
and went quietly out.
Kazia bent over to kiss Romans
forehead. Then Piotr came out of his
daze. He caught her roughly and drew
her back.
MOI"
"Piotr!"
lou re not MT 10 tOuCn HILL
She turned and went slowly into
the kitchen. Piotr followed.
He confronted her and Mark. You
can go now. both Of you"
"Oh. Piotr, not now!" Kazia began
pieadingly. The Matka needs me
and"
I'VE need nothing from you. We
weren't good enough for you once.
You left US to be fine lady. Now We
don't want you"
But l came back and you wouldn't
let me stay"
yes. when you found that Jim
Whiting couldn't give you what you
wanted. You thought you could use
US then-as he did" He nodded to-
ward Mark. "How," his teeth barred
in an ugly accusing leer, how did the
Hunky girl get to be such fine ladyT
BE still" Mark stepped close to
him, sternly. Isn't there any decency
In that cracked mind OF yours? Re-
member she came 10 them." he pointed
toward the little bedroom. when they
needed some one. You were out fill.
ing the streets with your blackguardly
rant. And whose money do you think
had to keep them alive because you
wouldn't do q mans work."
"A mans work." Piotr laughed. a
horrible startling cackle. ITO cracked
brain that isn't to betray and gouge
and drive" He broke of. do you
mean 1t vas her money!"
who else would have cared?"
Piotr went back into the death room
clutched his mother by the shoulder
and shook her cruelty. Tell me-" he
cried In her tongue. have you taken
money from her-that woman-when
I told you what she WASP"
The Matka shrank back from his
vehemence. II had to-to buy things
to keep him alive"
Piotr. releasing her, stared. his
mouth working queerly. Even you're
against me-"
He went again slowly into the
kitchen. taking up his hat from the
table. He did not stop until he reached
the door. There he turned. facing
Kazia.
"You can have her now. I'm 90
Ing"
"He's crazy" Mark muttered. Dom
mind him."
With an effort she recalled hersel
to the situation. You had better &,
now. ! must take care Of the Matka
VIII you please telephone to the hos
pital that shan't be back tonight?"
But can't leave you alone here
while Piotr's at large. I'm going GU
to arrange for tomorrow. Then II
come back here"
TT may be best" she agreed.
Two hours later he returned an,
raped lightly. Receiving no answer
he tried the door. It opened and b.
entered quietly.
Hanka lay on q narrow cot, In tn
sleep OF exhaustion. In a chair by tn
table. head pillowed on one arm
Kazia, too, slept. She stirred uneasi
as he entered, then became still. H
tiptoed to another chair and began hi
lonely watch.
The night seemed endless. To 81
motionlees. looking at the relaxed To-
lom figure she made, became impo
sible. He rose and crept silently int
the room where Roman lay. A singl
candle was burning low in its socke
BY its faint pickering glow the wake
face and folded hands seemed nc
dead. but only at peace. Mark locke
Ping at him, as though Roman hel
he answer to his questions. Once b
leaned over. whispering.
What have you found. Roman! !
II simple there? Is there a new Dirt
In which mistakes can be paid for
80. I want to pay"