The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1923-11-30
CHAPTER xIIl-continued.

The girls inclination was to run
down the car to greet him, and to
tell every one how wonderfully kind
he had been to her, but to her amaze
ment there was no returning smile In
his look. His eyes met hers coldly and
firmly, and there was prohibition in
them. She did not look up again as
the men went through the car, but she
could hear the Italians sOft-vOiced
felicitations.
''In my country we do nothing so
excellent for our wounded. 1t will
greatly interest the war ministry"
They stood for while grayely dis
cussing hospital equipment and then
they went away. Avezzana departed
without single backward look; the
only time his eyes had met AIMS was
In that first icy glance. The girl was
furiously angry with him, and bewil-
dered too. She could not imagine why
he should pretend that he did not
know her; as she thought Of it her
Indignation grew, and at the same
time she was enormously cast down.
1t was, perhaps. half an hour be-
fore the door opened again, furtively.
1t was, she supposed, only a brakeman
coming to attend to his work, but as
no one entered Immediately, she be-
came suspicious. She thought that if
1t was Avezzana she would not speak
70 him; a flame of anger swept
through her. In a moment the young
Italian stuck his head into the car
and startled her with brilliant smile.
She hastily turned her head away, but
somehow she was aware that he
slipped around the door, and closed
it behind him with little burlesque
of caution. In no time at all he was
beside her, masculine and impressive.
and Ann was, after all, unprepared for
him. She wondered nervously what
Avezzana would say, but she was
taken entirely unaware by his open
ing.
Nurse, may ask you some ques-
tons in regard to the feeding of your
sick?"
She shook her head. Il am afraid
not" she said dryly.
But your colonel said it was you I
should ask. / thought If you
would come, for a moment-so that, of
course, we shall not disturb your pa
tients-to the back platform? You
will conner"
mo, thank YOU" Still Ann did not
look at him. She was enjoying her
self; she felt delightfully."- cruel, and
at the same time unsatiated.
Avezzana reached for chair, and
drew Ii close to hers. "In that case,
he said, II must ask you certain ques,
lions here"
1--WE cannot talk. There are mer
sleeping. What questions? D
The afterthought was a weakness
and she flushed resentfully.
Many. Where shall be-
ginT He swung the chair between
his trim legs. preparatory to sitting
on It.
Ann looked miserably down the line
OF cots; the men were, obviously
waiting happily for the situation to
develop. You are right" she muir.
INJURED, "here we will disturb my pa
tients. For just a moment
She rose, and turned to the rear
door.
Avezzana had 1t open for her, al.
though she had made haste, in order
30 avoid accepting even this small
service. She stepped out on the plat.
form, where the fierce wind tore al
her great hollow skirts, and came near
70 upsetting her. She found herself
clinging to the Italian, while the door
slammed behind them, with a great
clatter Of glass. She met his Intent
eyes, and tried to pull herself away
but could not. because her arm was
held In close clasp.
please she said feebly. all hel
defiance shattered by this unexpected
happening.
"In one moment" Avezzana replied
and he pilOted her across the perilou.
open platform to the steps at the side