Rocky Ford enterprise., 1915-09-03
The Ambition of Mark Truit
Aufhor of
THE MAN HIGHER UP" his RISE
TO POWER" Etc. :
tcop,1iaht. lsls. by Ths Bobbe-Merrin Company,

"Kazia," he asked directly. after a
moment. has any one ever connected
you with my scandal?"
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. didn't want you
OF all women-to be touched"
"Do>you care SO much about 1t all?"
Il wouldn't admit 1t to any one else.
But 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 a long minute he held her so, in
silence. -. lnsidious 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 I love you? Do / need" :
No" He kissed her again. "Only
I can't quite believe 1t yet It's worth
going through all the trials and dis.
appointments and ugliness-to have
this hour
Much later-it did not seem long
he asked: "Kazia, when will you marry
me?"
She did not answer for long while.
Then she gently pushed him away and
spoke, slowly, as though all her
strength were needed to force out
each word.
Il can not marry you"
You can not" He stared at her,
stunned.
She shook her head, mute.
But why? You are free"
II am free-under the law. But l
can not"
You love me, and yet"
Il can not"
But why7" he persisted. You must
have some reason" Then he aroused
himself Though you may Just as
well forget it. Do you think" he cried.
i've found a real enduring love only
70. let 1t go?"
II have a reason. l." She broke
on, looking away. Her hands clasped
tightly in her lap, unclasped. then
as her eyes came back to him. ut
isn't that 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! / 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 think 1t 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"
NO, if it is real, then can't
daren't-risk losing 1t. l 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 1t 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
over the starving years Of separation.
triumphing again over the vexatious
problem OF daily intimacy.
Slowly it came to him that she
meant her refusal. He released her
and drew back, 70 suddenly that she
swayed and almost fell.
Then 1t only means that you don't
love me- II you did. you wouldn't
count the risk
IF you must believe that she an
swered sadly. You must But 1t isn't
true III could forget the risk, I
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"
He laughed again. What Is love
by itself?"
I'VE could" pitifully she put forth
the suggestion I'VE could be friends"
Friends! I'm no bloodless poet.
want a whole love-
Her hungering look was calling him.
drawing him across the room to her.
1t bade him take her. He took her,