Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1915-02-20
CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER XIV.
Payment
It was two days after the funeral
Mark had seen Kazia but for a few
minutes, merely long enough to learn
her new plans, and then Hanka had
been present Kazia proposed to take
care of her, and that they might not
have to be apart, to give up her fine
position at the hospital; she thought
she could obtain new one that would
take up only her days. She had. of
course, to find a new apartment
All day Hanka had been alone In the
dismantled fiat, thinking not of him
who had gone but of the woman who
hid assumed her protection Often
her head shook in troubled gesture.
Hanka had not lost the habit of seeing
and understanding many things from
her shadowy corner. Not out of grief
for the dead, she knew, had the look
that haunted her come into Kazia's
eyes.
The dinner was over, the dishes
washed and put away; this being part
of Hanka's share in the new division
of labor. She went into the little bed
room whittier Kazia had gone to dress.
But at the door she stopped, unnoticed.
looking at the figure that lay motion
less and face downward on the bed.
She started to steal away, then turned
again and went timidly to the bedside.
| She laid gentle hand on Kazia's hair.
Little Kazia," she murmured, half
| frightened at her holiness, what Ia
| troubling your"
Nothing, Matka,'' came the muf-
fed answer.
rs 1t because Of me? / don't want
| to be a burden. I can CO."
mo, moi You mustn't leave me- I'm
| just tired"
Heart tired. Is it because of him
| your lover?''
| 81 have no lover"
Kazia rose YEARLY, and going to the
| mirror, began to take down her hair.
The thick soft tresses fell tumbling
around her. Hanka, In troubled won
der, watched the round arm that
welded the comb, the smooth firm
| shoulders. At Kaziais age Hanka had
already begun to wither into an IN
comeliness that men passed by unde-
string. She went over to the dressing
| woman and touched timidly the firm,
still youthful flesh
You are like your mother
What was she hke?"
'She was like you" Kazia did not
smile. Men saw her and wanted her"
The comb became still. did she
did she love my father?"
Such a love I have never seen"
1t had been dark almost an hour
when the bell rang. Hanka heard
kazia going to the door and a startled
exclamation answered by mellifuous
voice Hanka did not know. The Wis
itor was admitted and taken into the
sitting room. To the kitchen came
the murmur of Kazia's voice and his,
chiefly his
He had been there but few min
utes when his voice changed It be
came eager, with an undertone that
perturbed Hanka strangely. Once
Kazia uttered a low hurt cry. Hanka
rose and crept along the little hall
She crouched in the darkness neal
the sitting room door. listening In
tently and wishing she had not beer
SO stupid about English.
Am I an ogre?" the mellifiuouz
voice was saying.
II do not love you
ct is not a question OF, love. an
not old. but have lived long enough
to prick that illusion We scientist.
; know what love is-''
81 don't care for you in any way,
Kazia answered coldly. Mr. Quinby
you oughtn't to be here. A man IL
! your position"
My dear lady, let me remind yol
: that the interest of a man in my posi-
ton is not to be rejected lightly. Witt
c word I gave you the best position
your profession offers a woman. Witt
Z a word / can take it away. / can re
D lieve you OF the necessity of workin,
: at ALL / can make it impossible 70
! you to find work In this city,
Threats
!, MY dear LADY," the strangers voic
( protested. Il would not do that
4 would harm no one. i am a tender
hearted man. i, too. suffer, if by chanc
others suffer through me-" The voics
d vibrant with emotion. would hay
:, wrung tears of sympathy from a stone
Q But Hanka, as we have seen, coul
not weep. Il am only trying to sho,
@ that those who enlist my interest d
Q not lose by it,
i, so you think am for sale?"
y Forgive me, my DEAR" said Quinb,
e "but that is gross Say rather tina
$ since you have struck q responsiv
chord in my breast. it will be my plea.
1t ure to be guardian OF your welfars
r. to lift you out of the sordid struggl
D. for existence And have i not prove