The Red Cross Girls with the Russian Army

f the

impossible for Nona Davis to follow

r Russian name. A beautiful name and somehow it seemed to fit the personality of the woman whom Nona at once admired and distrusted. For the name carried wi

Nursing inside the bleak fortress at Grovno was of a more difficult character than any work the three American Red Cross girls had yet undertaken. The surroundings were so

Russia's history during the great war. Military strategists might be able to understand why the Grand Duke Nicholas and his army were giving way before almost every furious German onslaught. They could explain that he was endeavoring to lead

the line of fortifications at Grovno went on. The work was done

hem of her experience with the commanding officer of the fort, but she wished the other two girls to have a look at him. It was difficult to get a vivid impression of a personality from a bird's-eye view out of a small upper window. Yet the figure of General Alexis could never be anything but dominating. There was a hush of

Valesky. It was sent by a messenger, as the other had been, and Nona w

hat the letter was not an ordinary one. Either Madame Valesky was confiding her own history, or she was insisting upon proving to the American girl that she had at one time been a friend of her moth

she was allowed two hour

because she preferred to be alone. After her letter had been read a

had to tell of her acquaintance with Nona's mother was not half so strange

oman and the American girl. But then just such comings together of persons with a common bond of interest or affectio

own history in the letter. She stated without proof or comment that her father had once been Russian Ambassador to the United States. Here Anna Orlaff, Nona's mother, had made her a visit and had then gone a

ttle an American girl understands of life and conditions in Russia? Was Nona aware that there were many

ld have no rich and poor, no Czar and slave, but that all men and all women were to be truly equal. Nona's mother had been a follower of Tolstoi's principles; therefore, her people had sent her away from her own country because

mbered the narrow, conservative life of the old south and that her father had lived largely upon traditions of wealth and family, teaching her little else. What di

ch an environment. How disappointed and unhappy she must have been in the conservative old city of Charleston, South Carolina! No wonder peop

her own old home. Certainly something stronger than her own wish must have drawn her to Russia, fo

her lap. The girl's hands were clasped tightly together, for now

they always led her to believe by their silences that there was something to be ashamed of in her mother'

and the blue sash there in their old drawing room in Charleston.

come of her mother?

her letter, for the las

story to understand, but Sonya V

h any human being who thought as she did. Above all, she was to make him a written and sacred promise that she would never reveal her ideas

Valesky's letter ended, for she enclosed an

ere. The letter was yellow with age and very short. It merely asked that if Sonya Valesk

na's mother which was exactly like the one the girl had found concealed in the back of her fathe

American girl sat dreaming almos

She had only believed her to be French because she spoke French so perfectly and had married in New Orleans. But then she herself was beginning to learn that educated Russians are among t

o might be able to answer them. Sonya Valesky had never said why she had not sought to find her friend's daughter until their accidental meeting on shipbo

ssian woman had said of herself! What was she doing here near the Russian line of fortifications, living like a peasant with

cquaintance. "Orlaff." The name was the same as her mother's. Was there a

he must not distrust Sonya Valesky unless she had a more definite cause. Doubtless Sonya shared the same views of life that her moth

mall room to the door, when

een! Actually Nona had forgotten what had called her to Russia, even the war tragedy that was raging about her. Of course sh

to co