The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1914-08-22

Sure. Sometimes" Mark assentet
recklessly.
But Piotr was Unsuitable. Every
night?"
We'll, no." said Mark, recovering
caution. Not every night. l can't
'Of course not, Piotr," Kazia cut in
HE can't waste time on a stupid little
Hunky."
I'm not a Hunky," Piotr resented
passionately. addressing Kazia but
for Marks benefit, ANY more'n you
/ are. We are-we were-Poles. But
we're Americans now. Why. I've
almost forgotten how to talk Polish
except to the Matka," he added con
scientiously.
"Will you help me tonight?" he re-
turned to Mark, with less assurance
It's Caesar. And / am stupid" he
sighed
Mark, though repenting his rash
ness. could not we'll refuse. For an
hour they listened while Caesar unc
tuously told how he had taught the
conquered Vercingetorix his place
But kazia was not at any time pres.
ent during the lesson. At last, yawn-
ing nightly. Mark arose. He went
up to his room, bearing Piotr's awk.
ward gratitude and followed by a
look Of humble admiration 1t is prob
ably well he did not perceive.
But the incident had its sequel.
He found a light burning dimly in
the narrow hallway before his door.
and coming out of his room-Kazia.
Il was fixing things" she ex-
claimed, Indifferent as ever.
Thank you, Kazia" The room. as
he remembered 1t, had been in perfect
order. He stood aside to let her PASS.
She took one step and then stopped
abruptly, looking up at him with sud.
denly hostile eyes.
What" she demanded. did you
come here for?"
He smiled-the smile Of age for q
naughty but amusing child. Because
your father asked me, guess"
But you know Latin and algebra and
things"
why. what's that got to do with it.
Kazia"
I'VE don't. We're just mill-workers
and Hunkies."
He was not schooled in the reading
Of voices. but he caught bitterness
there. He looked at her more intent
ly-and more kindly.
What" she repeated resentfully
did you come here for? You don't
like us. You won't have anything to
do with us. You eat. then go up to
your room and stay there. We thought
you were coming to be friends with
Piotr"-an almost imperceptible pause
-"and me-"
81 come up to sleep, Kazia. You see,
l was pretty near on my last legs
when l came here and l need all the
rest can get I'm not used to work
in the mills and guess I'm not SO
strong as l look. II I'm going to get
ahead, I've got to do it while 1 can
stand the work. Besides didn't think
you cared whether liked you or not .
Il don't" she declared, with q little
uplifting of her chin; It was a beauti.
fully nodded feature. The movement
called his eyes to the slender yet
strong and rounded throat He won
dered that these beauties had escaped
his notice. 81 don't. But Piotr and
Uncle Roman do"
Uncle Roman" 1t was the first
time he had heard the phrase. 81
thought he was your father, Kazia."
mo. II have no father"
"Oh!" He assumed a bereavement.
On a sudden plying impulse he put
out his hand and laid it on her bare
forearm; the flesh was smooth and
firm. That's too bad, Kazia."
And then. most Unexpectedly, the
curtain was drawn aside for him.
81 won't be pitied!" With the cry
fell away the Kazia he had known, as
did Cinderella's tatters. In her place
stood girl who seemed taller, whose
head was held in fashion peculiar. in
his books, to very proud and fine
ladies'. Her eyes blazed defiance. She
snatched her arm away. Here they're
all ashamed. But amt ashamed. l
won't have you pity me-"
This was mystery. But he did not
press her for an explanation. He was
more interested in another phenom-
enon.
DO you know you're mighty good
looking, Kazia?"
The angry crimson deepened.
You're laughing at me. You're"
But I'm not laughing" He caught
her arm again, gently. I'm only sur
prised. / didn't think you were. But
you are-when you're interested or
mad. Only please don't be mad, be-
cause" What was this unconsidered
thing he was saying? The words ran
on-"Because l want to be friends
with you. Don't you want me to
stay?"
For a silent moment she looked at
him strangely.
Yes" She turned abruptly and left
him, descending the stairs without SO
much as a glance backward.
For full minute he stood looking
at the place where she had been. Then
he drew long signing breath.
Shes queer one" he muttered.
When he awoke, the late morning
sunshine filled his room. But the eager
expectancy pervading him, as If some
long planned holiday had dawned, was
more than a reflection of this outer