The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1914-12-04
CHAPTER XIV.


CHAPTER XIV.
Payment.
II was two days after the funeral.
Mark had seen Kazia but for a few
minutes, merely long enough TO learn
her new plans. and then Hanka had
been present Kazia proposed to take
care OF her, and that they might not
nave to be apart. 10 give up her fine
position at the hospital: she thought
she could obtain q new one that would
take up only her days. She had, of
course, 70 find a new apartment.
All day HaDks had been alone In the
dismantied fiat. thinking not OF him
who had gone but OF the woman who
had assumed her protection. Often
her head shook in troubled gesture.
Hanka had not lost the habit OF seeing
and understanding many things from
her shadowy corner. Not out OF grief
TOT the dead. she knew. had the look
that haunted her come into Kazia's
eyes.
The dinner was over, the dishes
washed and put away; this being part
OF Hanka's share In the new division
Of labor. She went into the little bed.
room whittier Kazia had gone to dress.
But at the door she stopped, unnoticed.
looking at the figure that lay motion
less and face downward on the bed.
She started to steal away. thon turned
again and went timidly to the bedside.
She laid a gentle hand on Kazla's hair.
Little Kazia." she murmured half
frightened at her holiness, what 10
troubling your"
Nothing, Matka." came the muf-
fed answer.
~ II because of me? don't want
20 be q burden. | can CO."
No. no. You mustn't leave me. I'm
just tired"
Heart tired. is II because OF him
your lover2"
Il have no lover"
kazia rose YEARLY, and going to the
mirror. began to take down her hair.
The thick soft tresses fell tumbilng
around her. Hanka. In troubled won
der. watched the round arm that
welded the comb. the smooth firm
shoulders. At Kaxia's age Hanka had
already begun to wither into an un.
comeliness that men passed by unde-
string. She went over to the dressing
woman and touched timidly the Arm,
still youthful flesh.
You are like your mother"
What was she like7"
She was like you" Kaxia did not
smile. Men saw her and wanted her"
The comb became still. Ibid She
did she love my father?"
Such a love | have never seen"
II had been dark almost an hour
when the bell rang. Hanka heard
kazia going 70 the door and startled
exclamation answered by mellitiuous
voice Hanka did not know. The Wis.
itor Was admitted and taken into the
sitting room. TO the kitchen came
the murmur OF Kazias voice and his.
chiefly his.
He had been there but few min.
ntes when his voice changed. II be-
came eager, with an undertone that
perturbed Hanka strangely. Once
kazia uttered low hurt cry. Hanka
rose aud crept along the little haIl
She crouched in the darkness near
the sitting room door. listening In
tently and wishing she had not been
so stupid about English.
Am | an ogre2" the mellifiuous
voice was saying.
Il do not love you"
1T 10 not question OF love. | am
not old. but have lived long enough
TO prick that illusion. We scientists
know what love Is"
Il don't care for you In any way."
Kazia answered coidly. "Mr. Ouinby.
you oughtnt 10 be here. A man In
your position.
MY dear lady, let me remind Won
that the interest OF man in my posi-.
ton is not to be rejected lightly. With
a word gave you the best position
your profession offers a woman. With
a word can take it away. | can re-
liege you OF the necessity of working
at ALL can make 1t impossible for
you to find work in this city,"
Threats"
MY dear ladyi" the strangers voice
pI0testSu. Woutu NOT 40 Ihat i
would harm no one. am a tender.
hearted man. |. too, suffer II by chance
others suffer through me-" The voice.
vibrant with emotion, would have
wrung tears of sympathy from stone.
But Hanka, as we have seen, could
not weep. Il am only trying to show
that those who enlist my interest do
not lose by it,
so you think / am for sale?"
Forgive me, my dear" said Quinby,
but that is gross. Say rather that,
since you have struck a responsive
chord In my breast. 1t will be my pleas.
ure to be guardian of your welfare,
to lift you out of the sordid struggle
for existence. And have | not proved