The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1914-10-31
CHAPTER XVIII.
White Mater.

The woman who alighted with Hen |
ley from the train had come with an |
errand. Sundry inquiries from the 7
station and at the new hotel-so hide |
ously garish amid the gray tones OF
it's surroundings-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 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
a beautiful restful haven. to which,
some day when he should have tired
of the greedy city and It's grind. her
lover might bring her. Always, II
seemed. she had needed and wanted
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 a 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 off from the village and she
was alone with the river and forest.
River and forest held many memories
for her.
Hours passed. A few f1eecy, tum-
bling clouds floated 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
I alone.
: She turned and saw him standing
, near, staring, bewildered yet strangely
Z eager, toward her. Her lips parted
! her bosom lifted In a sharp intake OF
9 breath. as their eyes met. Then she
, got slowly to her feet, trying to look
7 away that she might regain lost-self
a control.
: He started toward her, with the pc
;. culiar hating step she never coulc
n see without a tender maternal i'm
/ pulse. Scarcely two yards away ~
y stopped.
9 "Kazia-you!"
YES"
u But l." he stammered. 81 don't un
E. derstand."
8. Self-control was coming back.
n. came to get Piotr."
is ITO get Piotr," he repeated mechar
a ically. But he did not comprehend.
r He passed a hand over his eyes
y. The apparition did not fade. GRADY
ID ally he realized-with a dazing jumbl
Or of gladness and pain and reluctance
lg that 1t was indeed she, in the flesh.
~ 81 can hardly realize it," he said a
last. Il was just thinking of you
Often l am thinking of you. A hui
p dred times I've been on the point {
ne going to see you, to find out"
Of ITO find out?"
ur How badly hurt you"
at 81 told you haven't blamed you"
ny But that isn't true-it can't
an true. 1t wouldn't be human not
resent me, what I've brought you. Yo
IN do resent. don't your
ID why do you press me with viii
on is ended? don't want to think
tor to be unjust. /" She turns
- sharply to face him. Eyes. II W
at. must know 1t, / do resent"
l You have every right to resent
Die he answered sadly.
She started swiftly along the bal
'er toward the village. He followed. tt
ing to keep up with her. and with
m real effort managed it. A quarter of
in.
ou N&&