The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1914-11-07

branches, to the waiting ladies' Little
| gaseous flames played impishly over
| the golden surface. The stencil oil
! burning sulphur arose. AS the cascad
| ing food filled the ladies', drops
splashed out upon the ground and burs,
in a thousand tiny points of light.
Almost before Kazia realized 1t, the
| flood had subsidized and the full ladies
were moving away.
He drove on and took the long wind
ing road that led past Hedges Hill
though he did not remind her of his
meeting with Piotr-and after many
miles circled back to the village. They
talked little, and perhaps that little
was hardly worthy of a record. Kazia
lay back in her cushions, her eyes fol
lowing his hand as he pointed on,
some new beauty to her.
How could you leave it," she muir
INJURED. as often she had exclaimed
when she had heard OF 1t from the
adventuring youth.
But If hadn't left 1t, I shouldn't
nave found you. So-I'm glad went"
oHe Hldue no answer 10 that.
Farther on they came to a branch
road that once he had known. Ee fol.
lowed 1t a while UNI. there came to
them a delicious spring-like fragrance.
He stopped the horse again.
Il thought | could find it. See!"
He pointed to an old tree that stood,
a mass of fresh green leaves and
snowy blossoms. little away from the
roadside.
What is it?"
"A pear tree"
But it's autumn and I thought"
She glanced up at him wonderingly.
Every fall that tree puts out a new
set of leaves and blossoms. You see
there is new life even after spring has
gone"
She looked long and earnestly at the
poisoning tree. But winter will
come and the blossoms will wither-
fruitless."
No longer could he refuse words to
his longing.
All! my DEAR" he cried "Iet us
forget signs and symbols. There is
such a thing as new birth. And it's
always spring where there is love. You
will forgive me-" he laughed INSTEAD
lily, If | talk like a very young poet,
for l am very, very happy today"
A touch OF the old ready color was
glowing family in her wan cheeks.
Have you looked enough?" he
smiled. For. if you have, we must
go. 1t will be getting chilly soon. And
besides. they are waiting for u.s."
"Waiting-?"
Yes. Didn't you know? Doctor
Courtney is to marry us tonight"
The color vanished and she shrank
back from him, lifting piteous pleading
eyes to his.
"Oh. Mark, don't ask me that. I
can't can't Couldn't you let me
have this day"
Did you think I'd let you go again
Did you think you could? Only one
thing In the world could make me let
you go-if you can say you don't love
me. And you can't say that"
mo, l can't-say that But don't
ask me. Don't you see, 1t would be
cruel to you-it would be worse for
me. You forget now-but some day
you would remember-that / All!
don't force me to say it,"
Her thin wasted hands went to her
face. but he drew them away that she
might see he had not fiinched.
"Kazia, just this once we'll speak
Of the past, and then we'll put 1t for
ever away where the past belongs.
One sin is much like another. And
for every scar you have l can show
many. l ask you to forgive, you have
forgiven much. Can't you trust me to
forget little? And, dear, all that
all the sins and shadows-were part
of man and woman we have left be-
hind"
She seemed SO weak and fragile,
lying there, this wrath of the old
Kazia, torn by love and fear! A sud
den mist shut her from his sight. An
unspeakable tenderness welled up
within him. lending to his husky
broken phrases a supreme eloquence
she needed to hear
But this love-the Kazia that called
1t to life-are part of the new life. 1t
began those days when we thought
you couldn't live and l learned what
love is and what It would mean to lose
you. 1t will never end Is 1t / you
doubt? Dear, | know know. And
I need you. Can't you understand.
need you? You won't. you can't, fail
me now?"
you don't know what you ask" she
whispered. But l can't fight against