The Detroit times., 1914-05-23
By
Henry Russell Miller
COpyrIEht 1913.
The Bobbs- MerriII GO.

lhey nau passed careleSSly over but
whose wretched story was inextric-
ably tangled in theirs. When their
eyes met, IL was In fear.
He's crazy" he muttered Don I
mind him"
Yes, he's crazy. And I'm what he
said"
no, no. That isn't true"
1t Is true, She took a step TO.
ward him, looking searchLngly into
his eyes as though she would read
the very soul OF him. Would YOU
marry me now?"
We was caught of his guard. His
hesitation was involuntary and Tor
but an instant.
Il would" he answered firmly. too
firmly. II will"
You see. She could not become
whittier. but the WEAKNESS In her eyes
deepened until he knew he could
never forget that look. Your instinct
was TO say no. You believe il is true.
Let us make no more pretty lies"
fHeH' ne SAID, nj 70 blame, too.
And there's only one thing to do.
There's nothing to do, she an
swered duly. II thought you under
stood. Nothing we can do can change
what ] have been" With an effort
she recalled herself to the situation.
You had better go now. ! must take
care OF the Matka, VIII you please
telephone TO the hospital that shan [
be back tonight"
But ! can't leave you alone here.
While Piotrs at large. I'm going out
TO arrange for tomorrow. Then IN
come back here
1t may be best" she agreed
Two hours later he returned and
raped lightly. Receiving no answer.
he tried the door. it opened and he
entered quietly.
Hanka lay on a narrow cot. I'm the
sleep or exhaustion. In chair by
the table, head pillowed on one arm.
kazia. too, slept. She stirred uneas.
lily as he entered, then became still.
He tiptoed 10 another chair and be.
gan his lonely watch.
Began anew his everlasting prob.
lem solving, learning how little OF the
old man Truitt had died during the
sentimental and purposeful wander
lngs OF the past two years. For
during the moment OF hesitation when
he had been caught of guard-against
himself as we'll as against her-he
had seen a truth that made his soul
writhe in shame. After all his rhap,
sodic love-making, despite all he had
taken, he did not love Kazia. Love
might give what she had given; II
could never accept. Desire could
weave a deceptive spell for a time,
but desire was not love. He had
sought not her but the fieshly prison
never, he thought, had hungry err
Ing body been so rison-like-that
held her. And desire, as always,
eaten up by its own fires, was dying.
And the mystery he had sensed on
that first night when the passionate
idyl had begun! 1t returned to com
plicate the new problem Rose Alley
had presented. That evening the veil
had almost been drawn aside.
"She paid" ''Harlot!" Nothing can
change what Eve been" The
words kept ringing harshly in his
ears, torturing him with their sugges-
ton. What had she been? Could he
link his life, until death did them
part" TO that OF woman with this
haunting mystery? What If the mys-
terry were solved? He shrank from
the choice, the while despising him
self for his faltering. Her eyes,
never reproaching or accusing but
only suffering, were before him al
ways.
rs this the Truitt that would build
happy cities?" he cried TO himself
What am ! to demand perfection In
others? I've taken too much will
make reparation. Am | coward to
take and fear payment? All my life
I've been such a coward will be
no longer"
Easy words What reparation
could he make? A name-nothing,
Not by the mouthings OF priest
nor by willing II could he transform
a dead passion into a living love. II
all came back 20 that: he had moth
ing to give her. And she was not
now seeking to be deceived. BY her
own love-he never questioned IT.
she could Judge his lack.
The night seemed endless. To sit
motionless, looking at the relaxed for
lorn figure she made, became impos-
sible. He rose and crept silently into
the room where Roman lay. A single
candle was burning low in its socket
By its faint pickering glow the waxen
face and folded hands seemed not
dead, but only at peace. Mark looked
long at him. as though Roman held
the answer to his questions Once he
leaned over. whispering.
What have you found, Roman Is
1t simple there? Is there a new birth
in which mistakes can be paid for
d. j want TO pay"
There was no one to see. He did
what he had never done before he
fell to his knees by the dead mans
bed and prayed passionately for a
an inspiration OF love--a love
so big that 1t could take no account
of mysteries or sin, so deep that IL
would grip his innermost soul.
After a long time he raised his
head as II 10 catch the answer. But
all he heard was the crash and rum