The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1914-09-26

but, udUil pIolesleu, Can 10
nothing"
Its your life" interrupted the doc
tor. But you've consulted me and
propose to earn the stiff fee I'll charge
you Drop everything, so to the coun-
try or to the end of the earth-per
sonally. Id advise the end of the
earth, because it's farthest away and
newest TO you. Forget work. play a
while"
Mark asked and received from the
directors six months vacation. But,
although he formulated no reason, he
did not at once leave the city. When
the weather permitted he filed in the
hours by driving through the parks.
They were long tedious hours, as
drearily empty as he had fOrecasted.
The nights, when he lay slcepless.
fighting an incipient craving. were
longer and drearier. Thus it was that
he had leisure TO think OF kaZia Whit
ing, though at some loss to explain
why the temperance of one whom u
his reCeded youth he had treated badly
should command SO much OF his in
terest
Nor did he admit a design when
his drives took him almost daily past
the Todd hospital. Nevertheless the
sight of that institution was enough to
evoke faint thrill of excitement not
to be laid to its barrack-like architec-
ture, followed by a more emphatic dis
Mt hn iph
left behind One afternoon kazia, in
company with another young woman,
emerged from the grounds as he was
passing and gave him a cool imper-
sonal nod He guessed that il was her
recreation hour and marked the time.
The quick leaping interest should have
been a warning to him. Perhaps it
was, for:
I'm making a fool of myself" he
groWied. What do | know of this
woman?"
On the third day thereafter, at the
same hour. he passed the hospital
This time Kazia appeared alone. She
gave him again the cool impersonal
nod and would have passed on. But
he drew the horses up sharply and
called: 'Kazia!"
She paused, hesitated a moment,
then went over to the curb.
will you drive with me for a
while?"
Il ought to walk" she answered.
Please, Kazia.' II did not seem
absurd to him that he pleaded.
She hesitated again, then
Yes" she said.
He would have alighted to help her
to the seat, but she forestalled him.
Don't get out" And she was be-
side him.
He touched the horses with his whip
and they sprang forward.
You aren't WELL" she said abruptly.
And he, ascribing to that fact her
unexpected compliance, was at the mo-
ment almost glad of his disability.
rs 1t obvious? | believe I'm not.
In fact, my doctor has ordered me to
get out and play-I find it very hard
work. That's why-that's one reason
why-I asked you. l needed company.
The circumstance" he smiled. ought
to appeal to you professionally"
Nurses are VIGOROUSLY hard
hearted"
Yes? Then can't work on your
sympathies. On the whole, I'd rather
| have 1t so. You'll have to admit 1t
took courage to ask you to play with
me, because-you'll admit again-you
weren't exactly cordial the last time"
What did you expect?"
But / expected nothing" he re-
torted. II didn't know you would be
at Romans. Why, hadn't even heard
of you for-Pve been counting it up
IA years. That isn't gross flattery. is
it? But, of cou-s you aren't the sort
Of woman that ltxes fiattery. Are
your
Then you're not so sure, after all
But do like it."
Il must remember that" He
chuckled. Playing becomes distinctly
easier. Isn't 1t lucky happened along
by the hospital just when / did,"
But l thought" She almost
smiled. Il thought it was habit"
so you've seen me? Now you men
ton it, | may as well confess that
this isn't luck. but the result OF very
clever plot. I've been driving past
the hospital almost every day In the
sneaking hope that Just this would
occur"
You say. sneaking hope"
You see," he confided. I'm easily
frightened. How could know that II
find you $3.50 beautifully human
Are you preparing to snub me fol
that?"
Il am considering It." The smile
was unmistakable now. But / won't
because today is one of the days wher
l can't help being beautifully human
I'm SO healthy that sometimes l JUS
have to take vacation from myself.
And I'm so unhealthy that, though
I'd like to, can't give Truitt the sill
for even an hour. He's a persistent
beggar-as you may have noticed the
last few weeks"
They laughed.
1t was a clear afternoon, beautiful
with the mellow radiance Of autumn
sunshine. But the wind that sweep
sky and air clean was crisp and pene
trating. To her. superbly healthy. 4
gave only a rare tinge of color tina
enhanced her charm, gave the las
| needed softeninR touch His WASTED