The Red Cross Girls with the Russian Army | Page 6

than I, but we were together at one time in the United States. She
went to visit in New Orleans and there met your father and married. I
knew she had a daughter by your name, but curiously when I first met
you on board the steamer your name conveyed nothing to me. Perhaps
the last thing I expected was to find the daughter of your father,
General Robert Davis, serving as a Red Cross nurse. He was a
conservative of the old school, and I supposed would never have
allowed you to leave home. But after we came together again and I met

you for the second time at the Sacred Heart Hospital, I began to think
of what association I had with your name. Soon I remembered and then
I endeavored to discover your history. There was a chance that the
name had no connection with the girl I sought. But it was simple
enough to make the discovery."
"Simple enough to make the discovery!" Stupidly Nona Davis repeated
the words aloud, because they puzzled her. Then it occurred to her that
the woman before her was so associated with mysteries that a family
problem must be comparatively simple. Doubtless she had been able to
discover more of Nona's mother's history than she herself had ever
found out.
But Nona was by no means pleased with the thought of an association
between her own people and Lady Dorian, who had just frankly
confessed that this name had been an assumed one.
Nor did she wish to go into the subject of her family connection with so
uncomfortable a stranger. First she wished to have time to think the
situation over and to try to make it clearer to her own mind. Then she
wished to discuss it with Mildred and Barbara.
The girl glanced at the old-fashioned watch belonging to her father,
which she always wore. In the back it held her mother's picture, but not
for worlds would she have revealed this fact at the moment.
Curious that she should feel this extreme distrust of her companion,
when she had been her ardent defender in their earlier acquaintance!
But then she had never expected to be drawn into any intimacy with
her.
Besides, Russia was an incomprehensible country. The class
distinctions which had so impressed her in England were as nothing to
the differences in rank here.
Russia, in truth, seemed a land of princes and paupers! To a girl of
Nona Davis' ideas and training, to find herself associated with the lower
orders of Russian society was distinctly disagreeable. She had lived so

long on the tradition of family that social position seemed of first
importance.
Now her former acquaintance was living in a peasant's house and was
dressed like a peasant woman. Some strange change must have taken
place in her life to reduce her to such a position, when previously she
had given the impression of wealth and distinction.
Nona got up hurriedly, drawing her coat about her. Later perhaps she
might be willing to hear what the other woman wished to confide, but
not today.
Yet Nona felt that she did not wish to look into her companion's eyes.
She must try not to think of her any longer as Lady Dorian, though
"Sonya" was an exquisite Russian name, it certainly gave no clue to her
identity.
However, she could not fail to see that the other woman's expression
revealed surprise and sorrow at her attitude, but was without resentment.
It was as if she had grown accustomed to distrust and coldness.
"I am sorry you don't wish me to speak of your mother, Nona. It is true
I can give you no explanation of the change in my surroundings, but the
present need not affect the past. I know that your father has kept your
mother's story a secret from you. Yet there is nothing in it of which you
may not be proud, that is, if you have the nature which I have hoped to
find in you."
Embarrassed and yet determined not to listen any further, Nona
continued obstinately walking toward the door, with Sonya quietly
following her.
"Will you wait a moment, please?" the older woman asked. "I have two
friends here in the house with me, whom I would like you to meet.
When you talk me over with Mildred and Barbara to find out their
opinion of me and of what I have tried to tell you, you can explain to
them that I am not alone. I realize that I have always been a mystifying
acquaintance and I'm sorry, but it is not possible to tell you my history

at present. Some day I may be able to explain."
Sonya's tone was half grave and half gay. Moreover, her