Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1914-12-03

branches. to the waiting ladies. Little
gaseous flames played impishly over
| the golden surface. The stencil OF
burning sulphur arose AS the cascad.
ing Hood fflied the ladies. drops
splashed out upon the ground and burst
in thousand tiny points of Light
Almost before Kazia realized II, the
flood had subsidized and the full ladies
were 4moving away.
| He drove on and took the long wind
ing road that led past Hedges Hill
though he did not remind her of his
meeting with Piotr-and after many
miles circied back to the village. They
talked little, and perhaps that little
was hardly worthy Of a record. Kazia
lay back in her cushions, her eyes. fol.
lowing his hand as he pointed out
some new beauty to her.
How could you leave it?" she muir.
INJURED, as often she had exclaimed
when she had heard Of it from the
adventuring youth.
But. II i hadn't left II, l shouldn't
nave foundiyou. So--zI'm glad went"
she made no answer to that.
Farther on they came to a branch
road that once he had known. He fol-
lowed 1t while until there came to
them delicious spring-like fragrance.
He stopped the horse again.
Il thought i could find II. See!"
He pointed to an old tree that stood.
mass of fresh green leaves and
snowy blossoms. little away from the
roadside.
What is it,"
"A pear tree"
But It's autumn and I thought"
She glanced up at him wonderingly.
Every fall that tree puts out new
set Of leaves and blossoms. You see.
there is new life even after spring has
gone"
She looked long and earnestly at the
poisoning tree. But winter will
come and the blossoms will wither-
fruitless."
No longer could he refuse words to
his longing.
"Ah! my DEAR" he cried. 'let us
forget signs and symbols. There is
such thing as new birth. And It's
always spring where there Is love. You
will forgive me-" he laughed INSTEAD
lily, "if ! talk like a very young poet
for am very. very happy today"
A touch of the old ready color was
glowing family in her wan cheeks.
Have you looked enough?" he
smiled. For. II you have, we must
go. 1t will be getting chilly soon. And
besides, they are waiting for u.s."
waiting" gr
Yes. Didn't you know? Doctor
Courtney is to marry US tonight"
The color vanished and she shrank
back from him, lifting piteous pleading
eyes to his.
"Qh, Mark, don't ask me that. l
can't--I can't. Couldn't you let me
have this day"
did you think I'd let you go again?
Did you think you could? Only one
thing In the world could make me let
you golf you can say you don't love
me. And you can't say that"
mo, / cant-say that. But don't
ask ME. Don't you see, 1t would be
cruel to you--it would be worse for
me. You forget now-but some day
you. would remember--that l. All!
dontforce me to say iti'
Her thin wasted hands went TO her
face, but he drew them away that she
might see he had not fiinched.
"Kazia, Just this once wen speak
Of the past, and then we'll put 1t for
ever away where the past belongs.
One sin is much like another. And
for every scar you have can show
many. ask you to forgive. you have
forgiven much. Can't you trust me to
forget a little? And, dear, all that
all the sins and shadows-were part
of a man and woman we have left be-
hind"
She seemed SO weak and fragile,
lying there, this wrath of the old
Kazia, torn by love and fear! A sud
den mist shut her from his sight. An
unspeakable tenderness welled up
within him, lending to his husky
broken phrases a supreme eloquence
she needed to hear.
But this love-the Kazia that called
1t to life-are part of the new life. 1t
began those days when we thought
you couldn't live and learned what
love is and what 1t would mean to lose
you. 1t will never end. Is 1t you
doubt? Dear, know-I know. And
need you. Can't you understand.
need you? You won't. you can't. fail
me now?"
"You don't know what you ask" she
whispered. But can't fight against