Rocky Ford enterprise., 1915-07-16

lie sat DOWN anu quickly WOrhet
out the problem. Then he led Plot
slowly through the equations thrice
after which he let the boy begin un
aided stumbling but finally success
: full pursuit of the elusive Z.
While Piotr was fioundering, his
new mentor felt some one behind him
He glanced around and caught Kazia
her arms full of unwashed dishes, look
ing at him. The wonted indifference
had fed before look Of surprised
interest. Mark stared. incredulous;
1t seemed not the same face. But the
new look vanished instantly. He had
a sense of baflement. as II he had
come upon a rare picture just as a
! curtain was drawn.
"Fine!" he exclaimed. clapping Piotr
ON the shoulder: he had not heard the
last few equations. "WeIl make a
scholar out of you yet. Pete"
"Pete!" The boys homely face
lighted up. "Kaxia, did you hear? He
| called me Pete"
II like Piotr better" she said, with
shrug that imperiled her burden.
do you," Piotr turned again to
Mark. do you know Latin. toor'
"Oh. nttle!" Mark sought Kazla's 3
face as this announcement OF his cru
dition fell. But Kazia was looking
away.
And will you help me with that
sometimes?"
Sure. Sometimes" Mark assented
recklessly.
But Piotr was Unsuitable. Every
night?"
We'll. no." said Mark, recovering
caution. mot every night. 1 can't"
"Of course not, Piotr," Kazia cut In.
He can't waste time on a stupid little
Hunky."
I'm not a Hunky," Piotr resented
passionately. addressing Kazia but
for Marks benefit. ANY more'n you
are. We are-we were-Poles. But
we're Americans now. Why. I've
almost forgotten how to talk Polish
except to the Matka." he added con-
scientiously.
viii you help me tonight7" he re-
turned to Mark. with less assurance.
It's Caesar. And I am stupid" he
sighed.
Mark, though repenting his rash
ness. could not well refuse. For an
hour they listened while Caesar unc-
tuously told how he had taught the
conquered Vercingetorix his place.
But kazia was not at any time pres
ent during the lesson. At last, yawn.
ing nightly. Mark arose. He went
up to his room, bearing Piotr's awk.
ward gratitude and followed by a
look of humble admiration 1t is prob
ably well he did not perceive.
But the incident had its sequel.
He found light burning dimly in
the narrow hallway before his door,
and coming out of his room-Kazia.
Il was fixing things" she e4
claimed. Indifferent as ever.
Thank you. Kazia." The room, al
he remembered 1t. had been in perfect
order. He stood aside to let her pass
She took one step and then stopped
abruptly. looking up at him with sud.
denly hostile eyes.
What" she demanded. did yor
come here for?"
He smiled-the smile of age for 6
naughty but amusing child. Because
your father asked me, guess"
But you know Latin and algebra ant
things"
why. what's that got to do with it
Kazia?"
I'VE don't. We're just mill-worker,
and Hunkies."
He was not schooled in the readin,
of voices. but he caught bitterness
there. He looked at her more intent
ly-and more kindly.
What" she repeated resentfulIy
did you come here for? You dom
like us. You won't have anything I,
do with us. You eat, then 60 up I,
your room and stay there. We though
you were coming to be friends witt
Piotr"-an almost imperceptible paus
-"and me-"
| Il come up to sleep. Kazia. You see
was pretty near on my last leg
when / came here and ! need all tn
rest I can get. I'm not used TO worl
In the mills and l guess I'm not s,
strong as / look. II I'm going to ge
ahead, I've got to do it while cal
stand the work. Besides didn't thinl
you cared whether I liked you or not
II don't" she declared, with a Httl
uplifting of her chin: 1t was a beautj
fully nodded feature. The movemen
called his eyes to the slender ye
strong and rounded throat. He Won
dered that these beauties had escape,
his notice. 81 don't. But Piotr an,
Uncle Roman do"
Uncle Roman" 1t was the frs
time he had heard the phrase.
thought he was your father, Kazia."
No IL have no father"
"Oh!" He assumed a bereavement
On a sudden plying impulse he pu
! out his hand and laid it on her bar
forearm; the flesh was smooth an
firm, That's too bad, Kazia