The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1914-10-30

For a long minute he held her so, in
silence. Insidious moment, throw
ing open the gate that he might peer
into q golden realm such as even this
Joseph had never dreamed!
You haven't said it." he broke the
silence
THAT love you? Do l need"
no" He kissed her again. only
can't quite believe it yet. It's worth
going through all the trials and dis
appointments and ugliness-to have
this hour"
Much later-it did not seem long
he asked: "Kazia, when will you marry
met"
She did not answer for long while.
Then she gently pushed him away and
spoke, slowly, as though all her
strength were needed to force out
each word.
Il can not marry YOU"
You can not" He stared at her,
stunned.
She shook her head, mute.
But why? You are free"
II am free-under the law. But
can not"
You love me, and yet"
II can not"
But why?" he persisted. you must
have some reason" Then he aroused
himself Though you may just as
well forget it. Do you think" he cried.
I've found real enduring love only
to let it go?"
Il have a reason. L" She broke
on, looking away. Her hands clasped
tightly in her lap, unclasped, then
went out in little appealing gesture
as her eyes came back to him. 1T
isn't that l don't want to. IL love
| you. Butch. can't you understand?
How could the love endure the little
trials and frictions, the nearness, the
commonplaceness of everyday life to-
| gether?"
All! / wish you hadn't said that. "
He was staggered for the moment; to
him her reason was not an empty one.
But he went on firmly: THAT wouldn' t
be true with US. It's never true where
there is a real love to smooth the
way And you and I've mustn't judge
by our past, because we've never
found the real love-until now"
Yes, it is real. / think it is real.
From her wistful voice he thought
he had shaken her. He pressed her
hard "Of course. 1t is. Then, don't
you see"
mo, If it is real, then l can't
daren't-risk losing 1t. l haven't had
much, ever, except this love-I muslin
lose 1t. And you don't know-Im not
fine and clever and cultured, like-like
the women you've known. You'd see
the lacks" She was becoming in
coherent. "Oh, don't try to persuade
me. You only make 1t hard. I've been
thinking of this-and of when you'd
come-so long! And know"
But he did try to persuade her. And
longing lent him eloquence, as he pic
tureu for her their love. triumphant
over the starving years of separation.
triumphing again over the vexatious
problem of daily intimacy.
Slowly it came to him that she
meant her refusal. He released her
and drew back, so suddenly that she
swayed and almost fell.
Then it only means that you don't
love me. If you did. you wouldn't
count the risk"
If you must believe that" she an
swered sadly, you must. But 1t ISM
true. II l could forget the risk.
shouldn't love you as l do"
He laughed harshly, and reaching
for his hat. turned toward the door.
The dreamed love had gone the way
of his beautiful philosophy.
But at the door he looked back. She
was standing as he had left her, pale,
in her eyes both fear and the glow of
the flame he had lighted The hand,
held out to him in involuntary ges-
ture, was trembling visibly.
"Why-do you go?"
But you said"
II didn't say-I wouldn't love you"
He laughed again. What Is love
by itself?"
1--WE could" pitifully she put forth
the suggestion, 1--WE could be friends. "
Friends! I'm no bloodless poet l
want whole love-"
Her hungering look was calling him,
drawing him across the room to her.
1t babe him take her. He took her,
wonderingly, dazed by the seeming
surrender. In his clasp she seemed to
find a new courage.
"Then-then-I will give you q
whole love-if you will take me as /
am"
mo, mol" he muttered. Not that,
Kazia! I've hurt you enough. And
it wouldn't be a whole love. 1t couldn t
be lasting love. Love can't live ex-
cept in the light of day."
Love, if it is love, is its own light"
But the risk you fear! 1t would be
greater your way"
This is my risk, not yours" Her
arms encircled his neck, drawing his
hot cheek down to hers. And there
is no one else l am alone. No one
would be hurt. 1t Wouldn't couldn't
be bigger love if given in the
worlds way And it is all Lean have.
all can give. Let me have it until"
She ended in a gasp that was almost
sob.
CHAPTER XXI.