Rocky Ford enterprise., 1915-08-20

fighting an incipient craving, were
longer and drearier. Thus 1t was that
he had leisure to think of Kazia Whit
ing, though at some loss to explain
why the temperance Of one whom In
his receded youth he had treated badly
should command so much of his in
terest.
Nor did he admit a design when
his drives took him almost daily past
the Todd hospital. Nevertheless the
sight of that institution was enough to
evoke faint thrill of excitement not
to be laid to its barrack-like architec-
ture, followed by more emphatic dis
appointment as the neighborhood was
left behind. One afternoon Kazia, in
company with another young woman,
emerged from the grounds as he was
passing and gave him cool imper-
sonal nod. He guessed that 1t was her
recreation hour and marked the time.
The quick leaping interest should have
been a warning to him. Perhaps 1t
was, for:
I'm making fool of myself" he
growled. What do i know of this
woman"
On the third day thereafter, at the
same hour, he passed the hospital.
This time Kazia appeared alone. She
gave him again the cool impersonal
nod and would have passed on. But
he drew the horses up sharply and
called: "Kazia!"
She paused, hesitated moment,
then went over to the curb.
"Will you drive with me for a
while?"
Il ought to walk" she answered.
Please. Kazia." 1t did not seem
absurd to him that he pleaded
She hesitated again, then
Yes" she said.
He would have aIighted to help her
to the seat, but she forestalled him.
Don't get out" And she was be-
side him.
He touched the horses with his whip
and they sprang forward.
You aren't WELL" she said abruptly.
And he. ascribing to that fact her
unexpected compliance, was at the mo
ment almost glad of his disability.
rs it obvious? l believe I'm not
In fact, my doctor has ordered me to
get out and play-I find 1t very hard
work. That's why-thats one reason
why-I asked you. needed company.
The circumstance" he smiled. ought
to appeal to you professionally
Nurses are notoriously hard.
hearted"
"Yes? Then I can't work on your
sympathies. On the whole, I'd rather
have 1t so. You'll have to admit 1t
took courage to ask you to play with
me. because-youll admit again-you
weren't exactly cordial the last time"
What did you expect?"
But expected nothing" he re-
torted. Il didn't know you would be
at Romans. Why, hadn't even heard
of you for-Tve been counting it up
IA years That isn't gross fiattery, is
IT.? But, of course. you aren't the sort
of woman that likes fattery. Are
your"
Then you're not SO sure. after all7
But do like it,
Il must remember that" He
chuckled. Playing becomes distinctly
easier Isn't it lucky happened along
by the hospital just when ! did?"
But thought" She almost
smiled Il thought 1t was a habit"
so you've seen me? Now you men
ton 1t, ! may as well confess that
this isn't luck. but the result of a very
clever plot. I've been driving past
the hospital almost every day in the
sneaking hope that just this would
occur"
you say, a sneaking hope-?'
You see." he confided. I'm easily
frightened. How could know that I'd
find you $3.50 beautifully human?-
Are you preparing to snub me for
that?"
Il am considering it." The smile
was unmistakable now. But ! won't,
because today is one of the days when
] can't help being beautifully human.
I'm so healthy that sometimes ! just
have to take a vacation from myself
And I'm SO unhealthy that. though
I'd like to, | can't give Truitt the slip
for even an hour. He's a persistent
beggar-as you may have noticed the
last few weeks
They laughed.
II was a clear afternoon, beautiful
with the mellow radiance OF autumn
sunshine. But the wind that swept
sky and air clean was crisp and pene-
trating. To her, superbly healthy. 1t
gave only rare tinge of color that
enhanced her charm, gave the last
needed softening touch. His wasted
body, despite the heavy overcoat he
wore, could not resist the chill breath.
But, though he knew he would prob.
ably pay later for the exposure. he
would not by SO much as a minute cur
tail the hour.
Il haven't had SO pleasant-it's a
puny word, but let that go-so pleas
ant a time in years." he declared.
Il see," she laughed, you have
t,ken me at nv word"