Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1914-09-24

ing gnawed more sharply. That eve
ming Roman, understanding, avoided
the saloon and led Mark by straight
course homeward. Thereafter it was
his custom, until Mark saw the care
and forbade.
You needn't be afraid 1t costs too
much. Everything" he added with a
bitterness for which Roman had not
the key, costs too much
10? But you are tiredt. Unit you
are not strong. Wy do you not leaf
the vork?"
Give up now, after holding on this
far! l guess you don't mean that.
But some day I'll get where | want
I'll have life by the throat" 1t did
not seem melodramatic to him. Then
I'll make 1t pay for this--on its knees. "
Roman shook his head gravely, as
at blasphemy.
You shouldt not say 20. Always
life ISIS the master. But you are tiredt."
And In the midst Of the ordeal by
fire he fought his first battle. At times
he was almost grateful for the physi-
cal WEAKNESS that distracted him from
the inner struggle.
He learned then how insensibly
Unity had receded into the back
ground. She had become vague, OF
little substance; she was a story he
had read long time ago. But she
was real, too. in that she was a habit.
There was a memory that accused
a girl. for once warm and yielding,
in the last glory of the sunset, cling
ing to him with the tremulous cry:
You won't forget me out there?" He
had made vow. Within a
twelvemonth he had clasped another.
That other was bath real. intensely
real-and near. He tried to avoid
her; 1t was not easy
Kazia went about, quieter than ever.
what she felt too deep for words. too
solemn for laughter. She did not again
break into song. But no one seeing
her eyes could have doubted what had
come into her heart And she gave
to her lover with both hands, knowing
no thrift in love.
Her happiness awed, sometimes al
most frightened her, but she would not
question it. When her sixth sense
stirred, she shamed it into silence.
She saw in her lovers eyes a trouble
that deepened as the days went by,
heard 1t in his voice, felt it when he
clasped her.
One evening-the last before the hot
wave broke; but he did lot know that
he dragged himself homeward, be-
lieving he had come to the end of his
endurance.
But l suppose haven't" he sighed.
Probably I'll just go on and on--but
some day I'll drop. l wonder why /
do it! l wish the end would come
soon--now." He thought he meant
that.
Even the bath brought no relief. He
sat down to a supper against the very
thought of which his stomach revolted.
and went to his room. He threw him
self, still dressed, on the bed, tossing
restlessly in the vain search for an
easy position. His body was one dull
ache. The overheated blood pounded
through his veins. each throb knife
that hacked his brain. His skin was
hot and dry, his mouth parched; fever
rose.
The late darkness fell, dispelled a
little by the faint glow from nearby
street lamp: 1t found him lying inert
but awake. His mind was beginning
to behave queerly. seeing strange
shadowy objects that moved stealthily
about. He caught himself muttering
to them. He wondered IL he we're
growing delirious, but he could not
summon energy to call out or arise.
1t must have been 10 o'clock when
he thought he heard light tap on the
door, He made an effort to speak.
Come"
The door opened. Some one tip
toed softly to the bedside and leaned
over him.
Are you sick?" came the broken
anxious whisper. You looked so tired