The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1914-11-13
By
HENRY RUSSELL MILLER

CHAPTER xxIV-continued.

Copyrieht. 1913. BY tn
CHAPTER xxIv-continued.
Together he and Mark dragged Piotr
TO the cab and forced him within.
Piotr, dazed by Marks appearance. re-
sisted but feebiy.
Before the grim majesty Of ap-
proaching death even Piotr's madness
was abashed. The supreme conscious
ness received back the atom that,
when imprisoned in flesh, had been
Roman. 1t was Kazia who saw.
''He is dead"
The Matka uttered a low moan, then
gazing at the not less still body. Piotr's
hand passed over his eyes in a bewil-
dered gesture. The woman who kept
the door made the sign of the cross
and went quietly out
Kazia bent over to kiss Roman s
forehead. Then Piotr came out of his
daze. He caught her roughly and drew
her back.
mol"
"Piotr!"
You're not fit to touch him."
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
pleadingly. THE Matka needs me
and"
"We 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 came back and you wouldn't
let me stay"
Eyes, when you found that Jim
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 lady?'
BE still" Mark stepped close to
him, sternly. Isn't there any decency
in that cracked mind of yours? Re-
member she came to 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 a 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 off. do you
mean 1t was 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
1 told you what she was?"
The Matka shrank back from his
vehemence. Il had TOTO 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 60.
ing"
He's crazy" Mark muttered. Don't
mind him."
With an effort she recalled herself
to the situation. You had better go
now. l must take care of the Matka.
Will 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 out
to arrange for tomorrow. Then I'll
come back here"
ut may be best" she agreed.
Two hours later he returned and
raped lightly. Receiving no answer
he tried the door. 1t opened and he
entered quietly.
Hanka lay on narrow cot, in the
sleep of exhaustion. In a chair by the
table, head pillowed on one arm.
Kazia, too, slept. She stirred uneasily
as he entered, then became still. He
tiptoed to another chair and began his
lonely watch.
The night seemed endless. To sit
motionless, looking at the relaxed for
lorn figure she made. became impos-
sible. He rose and crept silently into
the room where Roman lay. A single
candle was burning low in its socket
By its faint pickering glow the waxen
face and folded hands seemed not
dead. but only at peace. Mark looked
long at him, as though Roman held
the answer to his questions. Once he
leaned over, whispering.
What have you found. Roman? Is
It simple there? Is there a new birth
In which mistakes can be paid for?