The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1914-11-06

quietly. "the Matka loves her son. Ill
ask her."
She turned to Hanka and for several
minutes the two women talked ear
nestly In their native tongue. Hanka
shook her head continuously.
She says" Kazia returned to Mark.
My Piotr wouldn't like IT."
Hanka interrupted, laying hand on
Kazia's arm and looking anxiously to-
ward the door. Kazta nodded.
She says Also she interpreted
again. that we'd better go. It's most
time for Piotr to come home. She's
right"
Il think" Mark answered, s'I1l stay.
since I'm here. and have this out with
Piotr."
You'd better not" Her swift glance
seemed to measure his physical frailty.
"PiotTs temper is uncertain. He found
me here once and drove me out. IT."
The gloom could not quite hide the
color that surged into her cheeks. 1T
wasn't NICE"
I'm sorry for them, but just the
same, since I've started. I'll see this
through and wait for Piotr."
mo, you'd better not" she repeated
with cold emphasis. You can prove
your infiexibility in some other way.
Piotr is apt to have been drinking and
II his temper is stirred up, he'll make
them suffer" She nodded toward
Hanka and Roman. Really, you're
quite helpless In the matter"
II seem to be-" He laughed shortly,
to conceal a disappointment as unde-
fined as the emotion set stirring by
the sight OF his old friends. But. at
least, can leave some money"
But she shut him off from this, too.
mo. What money they can use with
out Piotr's knowing of it. can fur
nish."
He limped stiffiy toward the door.
more hurt than he was willing to ad-
NIT to himself by the rebuff and the
failure OF his impulsive mission.
He went quickly out into the dark
passage, that he might not have to
look longer. and there awaited her.
When she came, he led the way down
the rickety stairs and out into the foul
smelling court. lighted up now by a
swaying arc lamp.
"One would think" he blurted out,
you wanted to stay there
DO you find that SO wonderful?"
Pm glad you can't. It's no place
for such as you"
MANY people have lived here"
but not from choice. / know.
lived here once myself. before" He
hesitated moment. Il left 1t to live
with Roman"
She made no reply. He stopped,
facing her and blocking her egress.
You're thinking my going there
was to the advantage of no one but
myself?n
why else should you have gone
there?"
That's almost cynical, isn't It.?
might have had several other reasons
but didn't. At least l did you no
harm"
Neither harm nor good"
"One doesn't like to think OF ones
self as reduced to even harmless
nonentity. Still, most Of the virtues
are negative, believe. Though I'm
vain enough to wish could have been
positive influence in the making OF
the woman you've become. It's rather
remarkable. Kazia."
1T isn't remarkable-or excuse for
vanity"
She had not WINGED. nor had her
steady gaze wandered. But for just an
instant fieeting somber shadow had
rested In her eyes.
II must co." she said.
They walked in silence to the mouth
of the court. At their approach Marks
man got down from the trap. touching
his hat.
Cant I set you homer" Mark ven
tured, not at all sure that she would
accept. But she affected no reluctance
She glanced at a little watch she
wore. Il go to the Todd hospital, and
I've overstayed here a little"
He helped her up to the seat. The
horses sprang forward, swung into the
car tracks and quickly left the tene
ment neighborhood behind. For a time
Mark gave his attention to guiding
their swift course around overtaker
cars and the slow numbering teams
that drew the heavy traffic of the
street. They were on the bridge be
fore either spoke.
You said. to the hospital" he be
gan SUCCESSFULLY. DO you"
I'm on case there"
You're a nurse. then? l remember
you had knack for that sort Of thing
| Your husband--er--i hadn't heard"
Il haven't seen him for IL years"
"Kazia." he asked grayely. "wil
you tell me about yourself,"
There Is nothing to teil--any NOR
than there is about you"
THAT is. you're not interested IL
what has happened to me. Your
| frank"
Because chance has thrown u
together for an hour is no reason 70
us to pretend an interest neither o
us can feel"
you may speak for yourself. please