The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1914-10-02


out the problem. Then he led Piotr
after which he let the boy begin I'M
aided stumbling but finally success
full pursuit of the elusive. K.
While Piotr was foundering, bis
new mentor felt some one behind him.
He glanced around and caught Kaxia,
her arms full of unwashed dishes, look
Ing at him. The wonted indifference
had ned before look Of surprised
interest. Mark stared. incredulous:
1t seemed not the same face But the
new look vanished instantly. He had
a sense of baffiement, as IL he had
come upon rare picture Just as q
curtain was drawn.
"Finei" he exclaimed, clapping Piotr
on the shoulder; he had not heard the
last few equations. We'll make a
scholar out OF you yet, Pete"
"Petel" The boys homely face
lighted up. "Kaxia, did you hearf He
called me Pete"
Il like Piotr better" she said, with
a shrug that imDeriled her burden.
DO you" Piotr turned again to
Mark, do you know Latin, too?"
"Oh, little!" Mark sought Kazia's
face as this announcement OF his cru
dition fell. But Kazia was looking
| away.
And will you help me with that
sometimes7"
Sure. Sometimes" Mark assented
recklessly.
But Piotr was Unsuitable. Every
night7
Well. no." said Mark, recovering
caution. Not every night. can't
of course not, Piotr," Kazia cut In.
He can't waste time on stupid little
Hunky."
I'm not q Hunky," Piotr resented
passionately. addressing Kazia but
for Marks benefit. amy more'n you
are. We are-we were-Poles. But
we're Americans now. Why, I've
almost forgotten how to talk Polish
except to the Matka,, he added con-
/ scientiously.
viii you help me tonight?" he re-
turned to Mark. with less assurance.
It's Caesar. And / am stupid" he
sighed.
Mark. though repenting his rash
ness, could not well refuse. For an
hour they listened while Caesar unc-
tuously told how he had taught the
conquered Vercingetorix his place.
But Kaxia was not at any time pres
emit during the lesson. At last, yawn-
ing nightly. Mark arose. He went
up to his room, bearing Piotr's awk-
ward gratitude and followed by a
look OF humble admiration It is prob
ably well he did not perceive.
But the incident had Its sequel.
He found light burning dimly In
the narrow hallway before his door.
and coming out OF his room-Kazia
Il was fixing things" she ex-
claimed, Indifferent as ever.
Thank you, Kazia." The room. as
he remembered 1t. had been in perfect
order. He stood aside to let her pass.
She took one step and then stopped
abruptly. looking up at him with sud
denly hostile eyes.
What" she demanded. did you
come here fort"
He smiled--the smile of age for a
naughty but amusing child. Because
your father asked me. guess"
But you know Latin and algebra and
things"
why, what's that got to do with 1t
Kazia7"
I'VE don't. We're just mill-workers
and Hunkies"
He was not schooled In the reading
of voices. but he caught bitterness
there. He looked at her more intent
ly--and more kindly.
What" she repeated resentfully
did you come here for? You dom
like us. You won't have anything t.
do with us. You eat. then go up L
your room and stay there. We though
you were coming to be friends witt
Piotr"-an almost imperceptible pause
land me-"
Il come up to sleep. Kazia. You see
was pretty near on my last Leg
when | came here and / need all tn,
rest can get. I'm not used to worl
In the mills and guess I'm not 8,
strong as look. II I'm going to ge
, ahead. I've got to do 1t while cal
stand the work. Besides | didn't thinl
you cared whether liked you or not
, Il don't" she declared. with LITTLE
uplifting of her chin 1t was beauti
/ fully nodded feature. The movement
. called his eyes to the slender We
/ strong and rounded throat. He won
? dered that these beauties had escape,
/ his notice. ST don't. But Piotr an,
' Uncle Roman do"
Uncle Roman" 1t was the frs
r time he had heard the phrase. g
) thought he was your father. Kazia."
mo. FL have no father"
!. "Oh!" He assumed bereavement
L On sudden plying impulse he pu
, out his hand and laid it on her bar
2 forearm; the flesh was smooth an
v firm. That's too bad. Kazia."
5 And then, most Unexpectedly, tn
curtain was drawn aside for him.
Il won't be pitied!" With the or