The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1914-11-20
The Ambition of Mark Truit
Anfsor Of
THE MAN HIGHER UP" Tbs RISE
TO POWER" Etc


Bobbs-Merrin Company
But I'd have expected you to say that"
Her eyes fell again to the sewing.
"Kazia,' he asked directly, after a
moment, has any one ever connected
you with my scandal.
She looked up quickly again. why,
no. How could they?"
"A mysterious woman has been men
toned I've been afraid that every
one I've had to do with might be
smirched with me. didn't want you
OF all women-to be touched"
DO you care so much about it all?"
II wouldn't admit It to any one else.
But do care, Kazia-'
She was silent, but the dark eyes
were very gentle.
He leaned forward and drew her to
him. He kissed her again and again.
For long minute he held her SO, in
| silence. :. Insidious moment, throw
ing open the gate that he might peer
into golden realm such as even this
/ Joseph had never dreamed!
You haven't said it," he broke the
silence.
THAT love you? Do need"
/ No" He kissed her again. only
/ can't quite believe 1t yet. It's worth
going through all the trials and fST
/ appointments and ugliness-to b.
this hour" II
Much later-it did not seem long
he asked: 'Kazia, when will you MAJ
me?'
She did not answer for long VIII I
Then she gently pushed him away a.
| spoke, slowly, as though all he
strength were needed to force OF
each word.
Il can not marry you"
You can not" He stared at he
stunned :
She shook her head, mute.
But why? You are free"
4 am free-under the law. But
can not" =
You love me, and yet
Il can not"
But why?" he persisted you mus.
have some reason" Then he aroused
himself. Though you may just as
well forget it. Do you think" he cried.
I've found a real enduring love only
to let it go?"
Il have a reason. T." She broke
off, 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 don't want to. FL love
J you. Butch, cant 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 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 hel
hard "Of course, it is. Then, DOM
you see"
No, if it is real, then | can't
daren't-risk losing it. | haven't haC
much. ever, except this love- mustn't
lose it. And you don't know-Tm moi
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 it hard. I've beer
thinking of this-and of when you'C
come-so long! And know"
But he did try to persuade her. AND
: longing lent him eloquence. as he pic
5 tured for her their love, triumphant
5 over the starving years of separation
) triumphing again over the vexatiou:
! problem of daily intimacy.
Slowly it came to him that sh,
! meant her refusal. He released hel
! and drew back. so suddenly that shs
> swayed and almost fell
Then it only means that you don.
love me. If you did. you WOULDN'T
count the risk
If you must believe that" she an
swered sadly. you must But it ism
true. If could forget the risk.
. shouldn't love you as do
He laughed harshly, and reaching
l for his hat, turned toward the door
The dreamed love had gone the wa,
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 81
the flame he had lighted The hand
held out to him in involuntary ges
ture, was trembling visibly.
"Why-do you go?s
But you said"
4 didn't say-I wouldn't love you
He laughed again. What is love
by itself?"
I'VE could pitifully she put forth
the suggestion. I'VE could be friends.
"Friendsl I'm no bloodless poet.
. want whole love-"