Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1914-10-29
CHAPTER xvII-contlnued.

CHAPTER xvii-contlnued.
1T did" he answered. But you
didn't invite It. You weren't the sort
of girl that needed to invite it--you
aren't that sort of woman now!" Eyes,
no less than tongue, we're eloquent OF
his admiration; but she was looking
away. But most women wouldn't be
so ready to forgive. They would re-
member only hurt vanity. I'm at your
feet for your charity. I've seen little
OF it IN my life."
Have you looked for it?"
mo. Nor had it Nor valued it.
until now"
And now?"
why now I-need It."
Somehow the confession. an uncon-
sidered remark that, however, had the
ring of sincerity impulsive sayings are
apt to have, seemed to establish even
more firmly their intimacy. 1t nerved
him to his next remark.
''Kazia. don't you think you could tell
me what has happened to you during
all these years?"
You'll be disappointed" she began
abruptly, ..becapse there isn't much
and it's commonplace enough. / mar
rfed Jim and lived with him year.
Then left him. Not because he wasn't
kind-he was, in his rough way. But
he was shiftless and he drank too
much. He had no ambition and-I
wasn't happy with him, so left him,
though knew 1t hurt him"
"A woman can do that" he inter
rupted quickly.
always been ashamed. though l never
went back to him. Later, got d.
vorce. / went to live with Uncle
Roman, but Piotr, who had hated Jim,
made it SO unpleasant had to leave.
He hated me, too, think"
.'Or loved you, in Piotr's peculiar
fashion. But go on"
After while l found work in a
tobacco factory, rolling cigars. Not
the kind you smoke, but cheap vile
things. lit wasn't NICE"
I've heard of those holes" he NUT
tered. you there-why-"
II was one of many" she went on.
~'In two years I was sick and in the
hospital, a heavenly place where there
was ventilation and nothing to do and
good things to eat. used to pray I'd
never get well.
There isn't much more. ! didn't
have to leave the hospital. One Of
the internes took an interest. He had
influence and helped me to register az
a nurse. I've q knack for surgica
work, and since passed my examina
ton I've always had cases. For thu
rest, I'm not educated. I've merel!
read a little, here and there, as Pv'
had time.
That's all and not what you seemet
TO expect. Just cruel selfishness IL
the beginning and a little luck after
ward. Which is not the success yol
Worship"
But | see more than that. l real
between the lines" Long afterward
recalling this scene. he remembered
her quick questioning glance. but thel
ne gave it no thought. II see the cour
age TO make fight, the will to ris,
and being equal to the opportunit,
when It came. And I've heard tina
the really charitable are never so h
themselves"
'Oh, II you will" She broke OF
with shrug. Let us talk of some
thing else"
Whom at length he broke the silence
Ids voice was caress. Il wouldn'
have you different What you've los
ss nothing compared with what youv
gained"
She turned her heard slowly towar
aim. For a long minute their eye
held. Then with one accord the
looked away. Not the heart of a DO
of twenty could have beaten NOR
violently.
As they drove on. the silence b.
came awkward, self-conscious. Neithe
seemed able to break 1t.
Rounding a curve I'M the tortuou
driveway, they met a landau, bea'
ufully enameled affair drawn by higl
stepping horses In elaborate silve
uounted harness. In it sat tw
women. They bowed to him. th
younger with pointed smile.
Kazia heard him mutter: 81 had TO
gotten!"
who was she?"
1.-The older? That was Mrs. Thoma
Hoaley. of whom you may have heard
"Yes7 But meant the other"
.~nat," he answered In dry col
s1xj1ns< ysaeg, -uaA Mrs. Mark Truitt