The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1914-11-20
CHAPTER xxx.
The Miracle.


ri shall know it," he had thought,
when it comes"
And as he drove there came to him
the knowledge of his miracle. 1t came,
not with the lazy righteousness of
youth drifting, ignorant and caring not
with the ecstatic feverish excitement
of the passionate man, but with deep
solemn, all-peryading Joy. Peace fol
lowed 1.-THE peace of gertrude. for
he knew that in the woman who had
sinned he had found the one who fit
ted into him as a member into its
body, completed him, with him formed
the perfect unity-of content, for he
knew that from its infinite precious
ness neither trial nor failure, disap
pointment nor misstep could subtract
"She must know" he thought. "Sh.
else counts-that we are to begin over
again together"
He remembered his mission.
There was a rumble of thunder He
glanced overhead and saw the black
ened sky, heard the rushing wind. A
few scattered drops fell. He urged the
horse forward.
He was miles away from the village
and near the foot of hill that tow
cred well above its neighbors. He
smiled as he saw a trace of an old
road, almost obliterated by weeds, that
led zigzagging up the eminence. 1t
was Hedges Hill and near the crest.
he remembered, was the clubhouse that
sheltered the unhappy Piotr.
The storm overlook him before he
was halfway up the hill. When he
reached the clearing on the edge OF
which stood the shed, he made HE
horse fast to tree, and drenched to
the skin by the pelting rain. entered
the shelter.
At first, in the shadows of tho win
dowless shed, he saw no signs of Piotr.
He stood in the doorway, watching
the storm.
He had been there several minutes
when queer choking sound came
from behind him. He turned quickly,
and as his eyes became used to the
darkness, made out the figure crouch.
ing half hidden behind bench in the
far corner.
Hello! Is that you. Piotr? What
are you doing over there"
The noise came again.
rs something wrong with your"
Mark went closer to him. I'm Mark
Truitt. Don't you know me, Piotr?"
Yves" quavered Piotr.
What's the matter-sick?"
I'm a-afraid," came the whimpering
reply. ITS the storm"
Mark smiled pityingly. So this poor
nerve-broken creature, who covered
before little wind and rain and light
ming, was he who had set out to harm
him.
He's In a bad way" he thought
There, now" he said, gently. I'm not
going to hurt you, Piotr."
Piotr was in his corner, half crouch
ing, staring fixedly at Mark. His eyes
made tiny points of light In the deep
shadow.
D-dtd you come here to get me?"
"Of course l did. / heard you were
hereabouts and / wasn't going to LEI
you stay up here and starve to death"
"Wh-what are you g-going to do with
me now?"
For one thing" Mark answered
gravely, when this rain lets up I'm
going to take you back to town and
get you In the habit of eating three
square meals q day. think it's b.
ginning to let up little now"
Who" came Piotrs quaverinS
voice. who told you / was hereT
1.-THE doctor who found you yessse
1ay-and Kazia."
"Kazia! She-she Is here?"
yes. She came to get you"
"She knows?"
"She guessed-she and the Matka
guessed-you were up to some mis-
chief. You frightened the Matka with
your Wild talk. But we'll discuss tina,
later. Come, we'll make a start usw
To BE coNTINITEDa