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
