Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1914-11-26
CHAPTER xxx.
The Miracle.

UC VIII aSsOs
81 shall know It," he had thought.
when 1t comes"
And as he drove there came to him
the knowledge of his miracle. It came,
not with the lazy righteousness Of
youth drifting. ignorant and caring not
for wisdom, toward q mate, nor yet
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 1T
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. "She
must be made to know--that nothing
else counts--that we are to begin over
again together" a2 tt
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 neighbours. 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 his
horse fast to tree. and drenched to
the skin by the pelting rain. entered
the shelter.
At first, in the shadows Of the 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. Pm Mark
Truitt. Don't you know me. Piotr?"
/ Yves" quavered Piotr. ~
Whats the matter-sick?"
I'm a-afraid." came the whimpering
reply. IT'S 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. ae
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-did you come here to get met"
"Of course / did. / heard you were
hereahouts and ! wasn't going to let
you stay up here and starve to death"
"Wh-what are you g-going to do with
me now" 4 sN1
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 day. think It's b.
ginning to let up little now"
Who" came NJ Piotr's quavering
voice. who told you'll was heref"
"The doctor who found you yester-
| 1ay-and Kazia."
"Kazia! She-she Is here?"
yes. She came to get you"
"She knows?" ef g{sstF 81 j
"She guessed-she and the Matka
ghessed-you were up to some mis-
chief. You frightened the Matka with
your Wild talk. But we'll, discuss that
later : Come. we'll make start now"
GO BE cONTfNIYEn)