The Red Cross Girls with the Russian Army

er Wa

aken away by the Russian police Nona Dav

t had been fumigated as soon as Sonya reached a state of convalescence. Nona's time had been spent in tryin

gainst betraying her to any human being. Whatever the reason, they were dumb, except for their half-broken Russian prayers and stories of Sonya as a little girl. If she had not long ago been fully aware of the fact, Nona was now a

carrying her bag and plodding behind her. The girl felt that she mus

uch dreadful stories. She was too ill and she seemed so utterly without friends or relatives. Yet Nona herself was utterly powerless, knowing no

ubted his help. In returning to the fort, Nona meant as soon as possibl

oss uniform she felt a sufficient protection, besides old Nika's presence. But the real truth

. The voice that straightway called out to them held a quality of command that made Nika drop at once on his knees. Nona was no

rtress, Lieutenant Orlaff," the girl explained. "I am glad to have met

uted as though Nona had

is is the first hour of freedom I have been able to command all day. But tell me what

ust have sent it to her by a special dispensati

he could only be persuaded to use them in Sonya's behalf. Certainly he had app

at stress on the fact that Sonya was too ill to have been taken away at such a time. Yet she had gone without

rlaff with herself in their interest in Sonya. Yet except for his

a woman and in such a tragic position, no matter what her crime or mistake. But Nona was sure by this time that Sonya Valesky had committed no crime. She had come to know her too well, her exquisite gentleness, so oddl

d for the figure of "Mars," the young god of war, as he strode along beside her. He was six fee

give up her mad ideas. There was sufficient danger in them when the world was at peace. Now in time of war to preach that men are brothers, that there s

rstand that from your point of view and from the view of nearly all the world Sonya Valesky is hopeless

he would have realized that the world h

ny followers. Once she was a very rich woman and traveled in many lands preaching her universal brotherhood," the young officer ended hi

ave done what I could, I have even risked my own honor and safety in remaining Sonya's fri

through darkness that was each moment growing more dense. There were no lights save the stars, since the fortress

nishment will she have to suffer?" Nona inquired when

briefly. Then feeling that his compani

e has been urging men not to fight. That is treason to Russia. But I believe that Sonya will be lightly dealt with because she comes of a

ll, surely you accept a friend's misfortune easily! I have not your philosophy. I do not think I can do much, as I have no

r face, yet he could observe its pallor and the sheen of her hair under the nurse's cap. Besides, he fel

iends for many years. After the death of her parents my father was for a little time her guardian until she came of age. I will do what I can; I will write letters to her rela

g, at least Sonya will have the comfort of knowing that a friend is near her duri

g of her own except the few roubles which she was paid for her work and which she had forfeited when she undertook to care for Sonya Valesky. In all probability when Mildred Thornton knew her mission she could borrow the money from her. But then this would mean a delay so long that she might be o

zed why she had seemed a suspicious character to all of them in the days of their meeting on board the "Philadelphia." But Eugenia was away off somewhere in France nursi

had to ask the second time before Nona heard him. "You have done what you could in nursing her through a dangerous illness;

little should she take the Russian officer into her confiden

was a Russian. She and Sonya Valesky knew each other as girls, although my mother was the older. There is a stronger tie

th more consternation and regret in his voice than was

ough she seemed to be pondering over h

nd training. Russia fascinates me, but it frightens me at the same time. Besides, it is not necessary in our country that we should teach peace and equality, because it is in

. I have told you it is not wise for you and your friends to remain at Grovno. But when you reach Petrograd have nothing to do with Sonya Valesky. I have known you only a short time, yet I am your

pressed from the day's experiences. Moreover, she did not understand the manner or the words of the young officer beside her. At one moment he seemed extraordinarily hard an

alling their conversation, she often thought of a phrase he

to co