The North Platte semi-weekly tribune. (North Platte, Neb.) 1895-1922, October 27, 1914, Image 6
THE 8EMI-WEEKLV TRIBUNE, NORTH PLATTE, NEBRASKA. I n The Ambition By HENRY RUSSELL MILLER I? ,3KW3ItfaWiN!bJa3MaSICS rra?i3i7ajcgxa (Copyright. 1913. by Tbo is SYNOP8IS. Mnrk Trultt, encouraged by his sweet heart, Unity Martin, leaves Iiothcl. his hatlvo town, to Bcok his fortune. Simon Trultt tolls Mark that It lone Iiub been his drciun to sea a steel pluut nt Ucthpl lnd asks his son to return and build pnu If hn ovur gets rich. Mark applies to gliomas Honly, lioad of the Qulnby Iron works, for a Job and Is sent to tho con ttructlon gang. His success In thnt work wins 111 in a placo as helper to Ilomaii Andzrojzskl. open-hoarlh furnaceman. He becomes a boarder In Roman's homo and f.sslsts Plotr, Hornnn's son, In his studies Cazla, an adopted daughter, shows her gratlludo In such a manner us to arouse Mark's Interest In her. Heavy work In the lntonso heat of tho furnaco causes Mark to collnpso and Kazla cares for him. Later Roman also succumbs and Mark gots his Job. Roman resents this and tells Mark to gat another hoarding' place. Klvo years elapso during which Mark has advanced to the forumanshlp, irlillo his labor-savins devices havo mado him Invaluablo to the company. In the meantlmo Kazla has married one Jim Whiting. Mark moots with an accident which dooms him to bo a crlpplo for life Ho r turns to Rethel Intending to stay thoro. Ha finds Unity about to marry an other man and wins her bnck Unity urges him to return to his work In tho city, Mark rises rapidly to wealth and power In tho stool business, but tho so cial ambitions of his wifo maka their mar ried llfo unhappy The big steel interests are secretly nnxlous to cot hold of stock In tho Iroquois Iron company, supposed to bo worthless. Timothy Woodhousp Hooks financial assistance from Mark nnd Iho luttor buys Woodhouse's Iroquois stock at a small flguro. Henly forces Qulnby to let Mark have stock In tho Qulnby company. Mark finds I'lotr mak ing a socialistic spoech on tho street nnd tho boy shows that ho Is still blttor against Mark. Mark finds Kazla, who Is divorced nnd Is now a hospital nurso, faring for Roman who Is near doath. Mark Is advised by his physician to stop taking drugs nnd tako a long rest. Ho gets six months' loavo of absence. Ono flay ho takes Kazla out driving, and they moot Mrs. Trultt. A blttor quarrel on euos and Mark demands a divorce. Ho ftbsonta himself from tho city during tho divorce proceedings and makes no an swer to tho sensational charges brought by Mrs. Trultt. On his return he Is treated coldly by many former friends. CHAPTER XX. The Red Glow. Ilcnloy did not know what an Im petus, ho had given with his "Pick out tho thing you want moat and light until you got It." Mark had not sought out Kazla. Moro than ho would admit to himself, ho had Buffered during tho weeks of In justice Suffering had for tho tlmo dulled tho longing for hor, And bo hind that had beon a proud roluctanco to offor a lovo tainted by tho tongues of scandal-mongers. But now the lain gor for a groat love born on an autumn ovonlng of his youth when ho had como upon a frail slip of a girl raptly gazing Into tho twilight, too much a part of him to bo stifled oven during tho years of florco blind strug gle and disappointment mado itself folt again, downing prldo. . . . Ho called up tho Todd hospital, was told thnt Mrs. Whiting was not thoro, but could be reached at a certain num ber. Ho callod up that numbor. Tho rosponso camo In a low volco that oven tho telephone could not rob of Its muslo for him. His heart leaped. Kazla!" Thoro was a pause, thon tho low voice camo again; "Who Is that?" "This Is Mark Trultt." Another wait, bo long that ho thought tho connection had been broken. "Yes?" "Is thoro any placo I could meet you by accIdont7" "Ib thoro any reason for an acci dent?" "If you think not, thuro 1b nono. . . . Are you still there?" "Yob. . . . You can como hero." Sho gnvo an address. "This ovonlng?" "If you wish. . . . Good-by." Ho alighted from a car that ovo nlng before a big but unpretentious apartment houso in ono of tho city's quieter neighborhoods. Three stories nbovo tho street ho camo tq a door on which was hor card. Ho knocked. Sho opened tho door. For many noconds they stood looking at each other, moHlonless, Bpeochloss. ... Ho broke tho ailenco, in a strange greet ing that spoke of itself. "How ofton I remombor you so on tho throahold!" "I thought It was your stop." The rich color surged bofora tho Invita tion, lont meaning by Ills greotlng. "Will you como In?" Tho quiet Uttlo Bitting room was a caress. Ho thought ho had never found, even in tho wlldorneBs, bo rest ful a placo. "I suppose," ho said aloud, when hey woro soatod, "It's part of tho mys tery of personality." "What Ib?" "This room. Ifa tho homiest I'vo vor boon In." "I'm glad you Uko It. I'vo had It for yearn. I Bupposo I oughtn't to keep It, bocauoo I don't got much good of It except In vacation. Hut I like to think of It as a pluco to como back to." "You'ro on your vacation now?" "Yob. I havo u long ono this year. I tako only Doctor WoU'b cases now, and ho Is abroad for tho summer." Ho leaned back In the chulr to which ebo hod assigned him and watchod her under cover of their Inconsequen tial chat, "Why did you ank mo to como hero?" "Because I didn't want you to think" Sho paused uncertainly. "That you bollovo all you may have beard of mo lately. Thank you, K&xla. of Mark Tr lit Author of "THE MAN HIOltrR UP." "HIS RISE TO POWER," Etr- Dobbo - Mcrrill Company) Hut I'd havo expected you to say that." Her eyes fell again to tho sowing. "Kazla," ho asked directly, after a moment, "has any ono over connected you with my scandal?" She looked up quickly again. "Why, no. How could thoy?" "A mysterious woman has beon men tioned. I'vo been afraid thnt every ono I'vo had to do with might bo smirched with mo. I didn't want you of all women to bo touched." "Do you care so much about It all?" "I wouldn't admit It to any ono else. But I do care, Kazla." She was silent, but tho dark eyes were vory gentle. Ho leaned forward and drow her to him. He kissed her ngaln and again. For n long minute ho held her so, In Bllonco. . . . InBldlous moment, throw ing open tho gnto that ho might peer Into a golden realm such as oven this Joseph had novcr dreamed! "You haven't Bald It," ho broke tho silence. "That I lovo you? Do I need" "No." Ho kissed her ngaln. "Only I can't qulto believe it yet. It's worth going through nil tho trials and dis appointments and ugliness to havo thlB hour." Much later It did not seom long ho nBked: "Kazla, when will you marry mo?" Sho did not answer for a long whllo. Thon she gently pushed him away and Bpoko, slowly, as though all her strongth wcro needed to forco out each word. "I can not marry you." "You can not " Ho stared at her, Btunned, Sho shook her head, muto. "But why? You are freo." "I nm freo under tho law. But I can not." "You lovo me, and yet " , "I can not." "But why?" ho persisted. "You must havo somo reason." Thon ho aroused hlmsolf. "Though you may Just as well forgot It. Do you think," ho cried, "I'vo found a real enduring love only to lot It go?" "I havo a reason. I " Sho broko off, looking away. Her hands clasped tightly In hor lap, unclasped, then went out In a Uttlo appealing gesture as hor oyes camo back to him. "It isn't that I don't want to. I I Ioyo you. But oh, can't you understand? How could tho lovo endura tho Uttlo trials and frictions, tho nearness, tho commonplaconoss of overy-day llfo to gether?" "Ah! 1 wish, you hadn't Bald that." Ho was staggered for tho moment; to him hor reason was not an empty ono. But ho wont on (Irmly: "That wouldn't bo truo with us. It's nover truo where thero Is a real lovo to smooth tho way. Aud you and I wo mustn't Judgo by our past, because wo'vo nover found tho real lovo until now." "Yos, It is real. I think It is real." From hor wistful volco ho thought ho had shaken her. Ho pressed her hard. "Of courae, It Is. Then, don't you see " "No, It It Is real, then I can't I daren't risk losing It. I haven't had much, over, excopt this lovo 1 mustn't Iobo It. And you don't know I'm not lino and clover nnd cultured, like llko tho womon you'vo known. You'd boo tho lacks " Sho was becoming in cohoront. "Oh, don't try to persuade mo. You only mako It hard. IVe been thinking of this and of when you'd como so long! And I know." But ho did try to persuade hor. And longing lent him oloquoncc, as ho pic tured for her their love, triumphant over tho starving yoara of separation, triumphing agnln over tho voxatlous problom of dally intimacy. Slowly It came to him that alio meant her refusal. Ho released hor and drew buck, so suddenly that sho swnyod and almost fell. "Then It only means that you don't lovo mo. If you did, you , wouldn't count tho risk." "If you must bollovo that," shu an swered sadly, "you must. But It ian't truo. If I could forgot tho risk, I shouldu't lovo you as 1 do." Ho laughed harshly, and reaching for his hat, turned toward tho door. Tho dreamed lovo had gono tho way of his beautiful philosophy. But at tho door ho looked back. She was standing as ho had loft hor, pale, In her eyes both fear and tho glow of tho Ilamo ho had lighted. The hand, hold out to him in luvoluntary ges turo, waB trembling visibly. "Why do you go?" "But you said " "I didn't aay I wouldn't lovo you." Ho laughed again. "What Ib lovo by ltsolf?" "Wo could," pitifully Bhe put forth tho suggestion, "wo could bo frlonds." "Friends! I'm no bloodless poet. I want a wholo lovo." Her hungering look was calling him, drawing him across tho room to her. It bade him tako her. Ho took hor, wondorlngly, dozod by tho seeming surrender. In his clasp sho seomod to find a now courngo. "Then thon I will glvo you a wholo lovo It you will tako mo as I nm." "No, no!" ho muttered. "Not that, KAzla! I'vo hurt you enough. And It wouldn't bo a whole lovo. It couldn't bo a lasting lovo. Lovo can't llvo ox copt In tho light of day." "Love, If It Is love, Ib Hb own light." "Hut the rlak you foarl It would bo greater your way." "This is my risk, not yours." Her arms encircled his neck, drawing his hot cheek down to hers. "And thero Is us ono olso. I am alone, No ono would bo hurt. It wouldn't It couldn't bo a bigger lovo If given In tho world's way. And It Is all I can have, all. I can give. Lot mo havo It until " Sho ended In a gasp thut was almost a sob. CHAPTER XXI. Arcady. Ho wont to sleep that night, fearing tho awakening. But as ho woko to the summons of tho early Bummer sun shine illllng his hotel room, tho dreaded reaction did not como. Ho could think only with tenderness of tho woman who had yielded to him, tho lovo that did not haggle, with a Bort of awe and tho query, Could ho match it? Ho arose, and going to tho tele phone, callod her number. "Is It you?" Ho heard tho eagor catch In the low voice. "Who elBQ dould it bo?" Ho laughed. "Kazla, If you should happen to In vito mo to breakfast " "Oh, will you? Como eoon. I I am always waiting for you." But as ho turned away from tho tolephono, Bomethlng caught in his throat. "Poor Kazla!" ho muttered. "Wo'vo cut out a big Job for our selves." Ho did not havo to knock at her door. Wlillo ho was still mounting tho last flight of stairs, it was thrown open and sho stood awaiting him In tho Uttlo ontranco hall. When ho took hor in his closo clasp, sho put her hand to his forehead and looked scarchlngly into his eyes. Ho was glad that what sho snw thero con tented hor. "Oh, I'm glad," sho murmured from his shoulder, "I'm glad you called mo up." "Of course I did. How long did you think I could wait to hear your volco again?" "I was afraid you wouldn't. If you hadn't" "But I did." He kissed hor. Afterward, when tho tablo had been cleared and tho dishes washed ho helping with an awkwardness they found very comic ho broached his plan. "Kazla, havo you over been in tho woods?" "No. But I romembor you used to tell mo of tho hills you camo from. I'vo always wanted to seo them." "Oh, yes, they're beautiful. But men llvo thoro. I meant clear out boyond tho edge of things as you know them." So ho told hor of tho wilderness ho had visited of calm pellucid rlvors that became noblo lakes and thon rushed madly down narrow rocky chutoB of vast strotches of untouched forest, pathless to all but tho wild things and tho lonely, hardly less wild trapper; of Us Bllonces and rnglngs. Sho listened eagerly. "Lot's go thero, Kazla." Tho suggestion left hor almost breathless for a moment. "Daro wo?" "Why not?" "Why not?" sho repeated slowly. "Thero would bo nothing to fear up thoro, nothing to conceal. Wo could stay until I havo to go back to work." "Longer, If you llko It. You needn't think of work." "But I must," sho smiled. "I must live and I'm not a very rich woman." "But I" "Hush!" She laid a silencing hand over his lips. It was easily arranged. He dropped a note to Honley which led tho lnttor On a Jutting Point They Found a De serted Cabin. to bollovo thnt his counsel had been taken and Mark had gono away to let gossip run Its courso nnd dlo. Kazla had no explanations to make. They mot In Toronto and thero took a train togothor. Thoy alighted fnr to tho north at a rude Uttlo lumber town whero tho smoll of fresh-sawn lumbor, mingled with tho fragranco of balsam, Hwopt down n long narrow lake. After ono night In tho homo of a lumberjack to whoso simple mind It novor oc curred to question the status of his Yankoo gueste, they started up tho lnko by ennoo with a gulao who wns to loavo thorn whon thoy had mado a permanent camp. From beginning to end their stay In ,tho woods was without cloud or flaw. The narrow lake narrowed still furthor I XfM 1 in uk ?t! mYjiXk i tJ-wmIv iVvv i TAX WMJmzsSa I ?ll ill IP-rWI U Into a smooth clear river that wound In and out among ever wooded hills. Thoy passed tho region whore tho cruel nx had swung nnd scarred; the trees becamo bigger, tho forest donsor. Here and thero they camo to a rapids whero tho canoes had to bo lifted and carried. Hor almost awed perception of each unfolding beauty touched him.' On a Jutting point they found a deserted Uttlo cabin, somo trapper's winter abode, Thoro the Journey ended. When tho hut had been cleaned out, they dis missed tho guldo with ordorB to re turn every three weeks with fresh supplies. . . . Mindful of his resolve, ho planned their dnyB carefully, thinking only that they might bo perfect for her. Tho man waB swept out of himself, out oMils groovo of thought, as novor beforo. His struggles and victories and disappointments receded; thoy spomed part of another existence. If ho thought of them briefly at nil, It was but as a prlco well paid for his freedom. He did not guess that tho habit of thinking minutely for her happiness was slowly prying loose othor and firmly fixed habits. Two moons waxed and waned. Tho guldo camo with .supplies, and again a second time. On his third appear ance, tho time Bet for their departure, Mark without consulting Kazla, sont him hack. Sho did not soem to notice tho change in plan. On the day whon tho guide should havo returned again, he did not come. That evening a storm arose, such as rarely visits oven those northern woods. Mark and Kazla were out on tho lako for a lazy after-supper paddle, watching tho masscB of black clouds gather over tho hills at tho head of tho lako. There was a rumble of dis tant thunder. Suddenly, overtaking tho mountain ous vapor, appeared a lower plane of clouds, flying bofore a wind that struck tho water and sent a lino of white churning down tho lako. Thoy were not far out, but though thoy paddled swiftly, their light craft was tossing llko a cork beforo they reached shore. They mado their landing, dragged the canoo to safety and fled to tho cabin Just as a wall of green and darkness swept down upon thom. The fury was soon spent. The storm passod beyond tho lake. Still they watched, In ono of their long silences. Sho sighed and stirred, looking up nt him. "I wonder " She paused. "Yes?" "Havo I hurt you?" "Hurt me?" "By loving you. By coming hero." "No," ho cried. "How could any ono bo harmed by a perfect love? And It has been perfect. I can nover for get." His heart ached with a deep polgn nnt tenderness for her. They were silent again. . . . But after a tlmo drowsiness overcame him and ho slept. She did not sleep. Until morning she kept hor vigil beside him. Some times she would lean o'vor and touch his outflung hand. . . . When ho awoko tho sun was well tfp over tho hllle. Kazla was standing In tho doorway, looking, down tho lako. She hoard him Btir nnd turned. Ho saw her oyes. "I beliovo you haven't slept at all!" Sho did not answer that, but smiled, pointing. "Tho guide Ib coming. Lot us hurry. It Is time for us to go." "No!" Ho sprang to his feet. "Please," sho put out an appealing hand, "let us not talk of it, but hurry. Wo must go. I'vo thought It out, and it is beet." Thoy breakfasted hurriedly and be gan tho brief preparations to leave, putting tho cnbln In order and stow ing into tho canoes tho Uttlo they would need on the trip down tho river. They were soon ready. They wero about to embark whon Kazla, without explanation, turned and wont, back to the cabin. Many min utes passed and sho did not reappear. Then Mark followed her. He found hor lying prono on tho pilo of pine bougliB that had boon their couch, face burled In her arms. Harsh dry sobs shook her. With a cry ho dropped to his kneee beside hor, gently stroking her hair, trying to sootho her grief. Ho pleaded with her to stay. Soon sho had regained control. Sho sat up, facing him. "How can you think of going? Back thoro wo won't find It as It has beon here." "Wo must," sho answered. "And now, whllo It's still perfect. It has boon that not a thing to regret. I've crowded Into two months happiness onough for a llfotlme. If I must pay for It, I am willing. . , . And you have given It to mo. Do you think I haven't seen how you've watchod ovor mo, thought only of mo, to mnko It perfoct for mo? I can nover forget that. And ranybo, somo day. I shall have tho chanco to repay you. I pray that I may havo tho chanco." "It is I who will havo to ropay you. But why loavo such happiness? Lot us stay hero, whero lovo Ib freo and clean nnd strong," "If wo only could! But we muet go. Bocauso It wouldn't stay perfect. There are storms even In the wilderness. A time would como you nro a man when love wouldn't bo onough. You would begin to want othor men. You would chafe against tho loneliness and Inaction. Wo would go gladly thon and wo could look back on this only n8 a dream that failed. But now oh, I shall havo something to romomber! And you will havo something to remom bor. . . . Seo! You know I'm right. . . . Como." CHAPTER XXII. The Cleft Stick. In Canada's cnpital, thinking them solves etlll safe, Mark had persuaded Knzla to stay over two days, that they might havo ono last uninterrupted pe riod together. It Was a miatako, an anticlimax. Thoy wore at breakfast whon, glanc ing up, Mark espied a familiar figure at tho doorway of tho hotel dining room a figure of courtly and' noblo mien; moving with slow thoughtful stride and head Bllghtly bent, aa though, even nmld tho commonplace functions of life, hie mind never ceased to dwell on momentous phil anthropic projects; and withal mod estly unaware of tho whisper that ran ovor tbo room or of the many necks craned In his direction. An obsequious captain of waiters led him down tho room, and by fateful chanco, toward tho tablo whero snt Mark and Kazla. Mark regarded him In that fascination which a dangerous object often has for Its victim. Now it may bo that tho philanthrop ist was not qulto so unawaro as ho seemed of tho Interest evoked by his Can It Be Of Course, Is Is Trultt." entrance, for a pair of furtively roving eyes alighted upon Mark. He stopped. "Can It be of course, It 1b Trultt. This 1b an unexpected pleasure." He extended a genial hand. Mark took It mechanically. "How are you, Mr. Qulnby?" he muttered out of his daze. "I suppose I am well." Jeremiah Qulnby smiled bonlgnantly. "A busy llfo leaves Uttlo time to consider tho state of one's health. You are looking better than I have ever seen you." "I'm better than I'vo ever been." Thero was a pause during which Qulnby glanced tentatively at Kazla. "Ah! Perhaps I am Intruding?" Qulnby smiled humorously, as one who knows his welcome anywhere Is as sured. Mark brought his whirling thoughts to a stop. "No, certainly not. Mrs. Whiting " He performed an Intro duction. Qulnby's bow was Impres sive. "I seo you havo Just begun. Per haps " Ho paused again, sugges tively. "You will Join us? Mrs. Whiting, I'm sure " Kazla nodded and smiled com posedly. "This is kind, indeed. Though I ehould not," Qulnby bowed again to Kazla, "blamo Trultt for being selfish." Ho took tho chair held out for him by tho waiter, glancing from Mark's sun browned face to Kazia's. "I seo you have both been out under tho sun. Your party " "Has just separated. Mrs. Whiting Is to let me rather Informally, to be sure convoy her home!" "And what of It, Bince no ono is tho wiser? Tho conventions,"' Qulnby wit tily accepted tho explanation, "are only for public consumption, though I being in tho public eye, so to speak may rarely ignore them. So you, too, arc from our clty Mrs. Whiting?" Kazla admitted It. "Ah! I wish I had known last night that you were here. The governor general " Tho phraso rolled linger Ingly on his lips. "Tho governor-general gave a reception. You would havo boon pleased, I am sure, to see how our city, In my person, was hon ored." "I'm very sure of It. Please tell us about It." Qulnby told thom about It, with a wealth of detail. But under cover of his monologue Qulnby was shrewdly taking stock of his hearers and their situation; he had not missed that first moment of betraying confusion. Suspicion, guided by Instinct, Bettled into conviction. And tho event matched Qulnby's need. For In tho very midday of his triumph, when tho brilliancy and dar ing of his achievements promised to eclipse his better fortified but less original rival In benoflcenco, a cloud no bigger than a man's hand had crept above the horizon. And if that cloud grow bigger, not MacGregor but Qulnby himself might bo eclipsed and, alas! forover. A crisis, thon, when "harmony" moro than ever was needed In hla forces. There nro, Qulnby gratefully thought, more ways than one of Insuring harmony. Ho folt of his whip and got ready to crack It. During a temporary lull Kazla, pleading some unfinished packing, mndo her escape. Qulnby's eye fol lowed her admiringly to tho door, then bent upon Mark a look In which re proof and n certain ponderous wag glBhnesa struggled for tho upper hand. "Ah! Trultt! A sad dog, I fear." "Not at all," said Mark coldly. Qulnby was blandly skeptical. "I find you, brown na an Indian, at break fast alono nt a hotel with a woman dusky ns an Indlnn maiden. Tho party was It a party of two, Trultt?" "Mr. Qulnby," said Mnrk not no coldly, "your tone ! My word" "Ah!" Qulnby waved a pacific hand. "If your word is passed, that Is enough. I am happy to bollovo It. Mrs. Whit ing seems a charming woman. A well poised woman! An unusunl woman!" "Vory." "You leavo today?" "Yes." "Then, elnco I havo your word In tho matter, I feel safe in Inviting you and Mrs. Wilting to share my car aa far ns Buffalo." "Mrs. Whiting may have a pref erence." Qulnby received this with tho sur prise of ono whoso Invitations partako of the peremptory quality of royalty'. "I hope sho will not prefer a stuffy Pullman to my car, which has been praised. I should bo deeply hurt by n refusal. In fact," Mark looked up quickly, as though ho had heard a warning crack! overhead, "I ehould construe a refusal as ovldenco But lot that go. There aro company mat ters I wish to discuss with you, and this seems an opportuno occasion." Tho men regarded each other stead ily for a moment. "I shall present your Invitation," Mark concluded. "With my compliments," Qulnby amended. "Er Trultt, who Is Mrs. Whiting? Tho name la not familiar." "I'm sure you nover heard of her. She's a trained nurse a very success ful one, I believe. I'll let you know her answer." Thoy rose and Mark had tho en viable distinction of marching with Jeremiah Qulnby through tho long dining room, where by this tlmo tho whisper of the great philanthropist's presence had been happily confirmed. "Well," eald Mark grimly, whon ho had found Kazla In their rooms, "you played audience to good purpose. Qulnby has Just informed me, with ex clamation points, that you are.a charm ing woman, a well poised woman, an unusual woman." Sho breathed a sigh of relief. "Then ho doesn't suspect?" "He's so suro of tho truth that ho wouldn't bollovo his own testimony to the contrary." "What can wo do?" "Exactly nothing but accept his In vitation to travel In hie car to Buffalo and trust to luck. Flattery and sub mlsslveness ho would call them har mony aro tho way Into Qulnby's good graces." But Qulnby, when tho journey had begun, made no reference to that party In tho woods. His engaging manners never, said tho envious, so pro nounced as in the presence of a pretty woman wero displayed la, their per fection. Even Mark's fears wero lulled. At first the philanthropist gave hlm solf almost wholly to Kazla. Ho showed her the splendors of his car, from the Uttlo kitchen, whero her expert ad miration brought a grin even to tho pudgy face of the Japanese cook, unto the plaster cast of the Ichthyosaurus Qulnbyi conspicuously placed at ono side of the library section. "Trultt tells me, Mra. Whiting, that you are a nurse. A beautiful calling! A fitting sphere for woman woman, tender minister to suffering!" "And It pays," Kazla smiled, "better than most woman's Avork." "But not enough. Havo you ever noticed that tho most Important serv ices aro always tho poorest paid. I havo often wished," Qulnby sighed, "that It lay In my power to give every deserving man and woman the Just reward earned by their service," "Ah!" breathed Kazla, "that would be something to do." Qulnby bent a benignant smilo on Kazla. "Mrs. Whiting, you must leavo mo an address. As It happens, I am a trustee, and it may be, an Inlluenco in tho Todd hospital. Surely tho pro fession of healing offers a woman a larger and a better paid field than mere individual nursing?" "To those who are fitted." "You are modest, of course. But I am suro I havo not judged you too generously." He led Kazla to a big cushioned chair at tho observation end of the car, had tho Jap bring magazines and the latest novel. Sho lay back in the chair, smiling her thanks up to him, as frankly as if sho had not a suspected secret to brazen out. Tho philanthropist smiled back and the light in his eyes, as they swept tho figure beneath them, was not philanthropy. His smile became quizzical. Ho leaned over and patted her hand. "You are a plucky woman, my dear. I havo a short memory sometimes." Ho went back to Mark. "Trultt," ho began, "does your re covered health mean that you aro go ing back Into harness?" "I don't know," Mark answered shortly. Ho had witnessed the tableau Just described. "You must get back. You nro needed. Havo you kept track of our labor sit uation?" "No." Qulnby sketched that situation, with a terseness of which Mark had not believed him capable (TO DI3 CONTINUED.) Pipe Worth Half Million Dollars. Among tho royal treasures of Per sia Ib a plpo set with diamonds, ru bles nnd omoralds, to tho. valuo, it Is estimated, of no less than $500,000. This plpo was mado for the lato shnh, and It la enld to bo oven more val uablo than his famous sword. In the matter of swords, It Is said that the gaekwar of Baroda who, on tho occa sion of tho coronation of Georgo V In India, added to his farao by snubbing thnt monarch, possosses tho most pre clous blado in existence Its hilt an bolt are lncrusted with diamonds, ru bies, sapphires and emeralds, and Its valuo has been put at $1,000,000. JLz