Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1914-11-26
CHAPTER XVIII.
White Water.


The woman who aiighted with Hen
ley from the train had come with an
errand. Sundry inquiries from the
station and at the new hotel--so hide
ously garish amid the gray tones Of
its roundings-convinced her that
she would need Mark Truths help.
But she had overheard her fellow pas
senger's questions to the doctor and
guessed that Mark would be with him
for most of that day.
She stayed in her little hotel room
until dinner time. After that meal,
eaten In a noisy dining-room filled
with still homeless men who had come
to build or work in the Bethel expert
ment, she went out and wandered
about through the old village, of which
years before, hearing of It from an un-
appreciative young adventurer. she
had used to think as a sort of ante
room to heaven. There had even been
a period in that far-off, innocent girl
hood when she had thought of 1t as
beautiful restful haven, to which.
some day when he should have tired
of the greedy city and its grind, her
lover might bring her. Always. 1t
seemed. she had needed and wanted a
haven. II only he had brought her
then, what might have been saved!
what might have been saved! But
mustn't think of that"
From down narrow lane she caught
glimpse of the river, smiling In the
sunlight. 1t beckoned to her and she
obeyed. turning her steps upstream.
A thick grove OF oaks and chestnuts
shut her on from the village and she
was alone with the river and forest
River and forest held many memories
for her.
Hours passed. A few feecy. tum-
bling clouds fioated over her. Heavier
and less silvery masses appeared over
the western horizon. The wind fresh
ened. She did not notice. And
suddenly she knew that she was not
alone. F
She turned and saw him standing
near. staring, bewildered yet strangely
eager. toward her. Her lips parted.
her bosom lifted in sharp intake Of
breath, as their eyes met. Then she
got slowly to her feet, trying to look
away that she might regain a lost-self-
control.
He started toward her, with the Pc
culiar hating step she never could
see without tender maternal i'm
pulse. Scarcely two yards away he
stopped.
"Kazia-you!"
: yes"
But l." he stammered, 81 don't I'M
derstand."
Self-control was coming back. 81
came to get Piotr." E
ITO get Piotr," he repeated mechan-.
ically. But he did not comprehend.
He passed hand over his eyes.
The apparition did not fade. Gradu-
ally he realized--with dazing tumble
of gladness and pain and reluctance
that it was indeed she, in the flesh.
Il can hardly realize it," he said at
last. Il was Just thinking of you.
Often am thinking of you. A hum
bred times I've been on the point of
going to see you, to find out" tit
ITO find out?" 49,. ct
How badly hurt YOU" m
Il told you haven't blamed you"
But that isn't true-it can't be
true. 1t wouldn't be human not to
resent me, what I've brought you. You
do resent. don't you" as ~
"Why do you press me with what
Is ended? / don't want to think of
it-or to be unjust. +" She turned
sharply to face him. yes, II you
must know 1t, l do resent"
"You have every right to resent"
he answered sadly.
She started swiftly along the bank
toward the village. He followed, try
ing to keep up with her, and with a
real effort managed 1t. A quarter of a