Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1915-02-06
The Ambition of Mark Truit
Author Of
THE MAN HIGHER UP" HIS RISE
TO POWER" Etc


Her eyes fell again to the sewing.
"Kazia." he asked directly, after q
moment, has any one ever connected
| you with my scandaI?"
She looked up quickly again why.
no. How could they?"
"A mysterious woman has been men
toned I've been afraid that every
one I've had to do with might be
smirched with me- I didn't want,you-
Of all women-to be touched"
DO you care 80 much about it air.
Il wouldn't admit 1t to any one else.
But I do care. Kazia-"
She was silent, but the dark eyes
were very gentle.
He leaned forward and drew her to
him. He kissed her again and again
For long minute he held her SO, in
silence. Insidious moment, throw
ing open the gate that he might peer
into golden realm such as even this
Joseph had never dreamed!
You haven't said it." he broke the
silence.
That love you? Do need"
NO" He kissed her again only
can't quite believe it yet. It's worth
going through all the trials and dis
appointments and ugIiness-to have
this hour"
Much later-it did not seem long
he asked: ''Kazia, when will you marry
me?"
She did not answer for a long while.
Then she gently pushed him away and
spoke. slowly, as though all her
strength were needed to force out
each word
II can not marry you"
You can not" He stared ut her.
stunned
She shook her head. mute.
But why? You are free"
81 am free-under the law. But
can not"
You love me, and yet
81 can not"
But why?" he persisted. you must
have some reason Then he aroused
himself. Though you may just as
well forget 1t. Do you think" he cried,
I've found a real enduring love only
to let it go?"
IT have a reason. +" She broke
of, looking away. Her hands clasped
tightly in her lap, unclasped, then
| went out in a little appealing gesture
as her eyes came back to him 1T
| isn't that 1 don't want to. IL love
you. But-oh, can't you understand?
How could the love endure the little
trials and frictions, the nearness, the
commonplaceness OF everyday life to-
gether?"
+ "Ah! 1 wish you hadn't said that"
He was staggered for the moment; to
| him her reason was not an empty one
But he went on firmly: THAT wouldn't
be true with us. It's never true where
| there is a real love to smooth the
way. And you and I've mustn't judge
| by our past, because we've never
found the real love-until now"
Yes, 1t is real I think it is real"
From her wistful voice he thought
| he had shaken her. He pressed her
hard. 'Of course, 1t is. Then, don't
! you see"
mo. If it IS real. then 1 can't
daren't-risk losing IL. I haven't had
much, ever, except this love-I mustn't
lose it. And you don't know-I'm not
fine and clever and cultured, like-like
the women you've known. You'd see
the lacks" She was becoming in
| coherent. "Oh, don't try to persuade
me. You only make it hard. I've been
thinking of thIs-and of when you'd
| come-so long, And know"
But he did try to persuade her. And
longing lent him eloquence. as he pic
tured for her their love, triumphant
| wa I~AO o1o4 sAA6 yC6AS Va ~SSPdA dlAous
triumphing again over the vexatious
problem OF daily intimacy
Slowly 1t came to him that she
meant her refusal He released her
| and drew back. so suddenly that she
swayed and almost fell.
Then it only means that you don't
love me. If you did, you wouldn't
count the risk"
II you must believe that" she an
swered sadly, you must. But it isn't
true. If 1 could forget the risk,
shouldn't love you as do
He laughed harshly, and reaching
for his hat. turned toward the door
The dreamed love had gone the way
of his beautiful philosophy
But at the door he looked back She
was standing as he had left her. pale
in her eyes both fear and the glow of
the flame he had lighted. The hand,
held out to him in Involuntary ges-
ture. was trembling visibly.
Why-do you go?"
/ But you said"
Il didn't say wouldn't love you. I.
He laughed again. What is love
by itselfe"
I'VE could pitifully she put forth
the suggestion. I'VE could be friends :"
Friends, I'm no bloodless poet. 1
want whole love-"
Her hungering look was calling him,
drawing him across the room to her.
It babe him take her. He took her,
wonderinsly. dazed by the seeming