The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-11-06

She had know him now FOR
some months. He was stu
dent friend Of her brother, In whom she
,ad taken an especial interest, not only
On account of his nationality. but be-
cause he had been so exceptionally clev-
er In college He had spent the sum-
mer vacation with them. and she had
heen thrown a great deal into his COM
pany, as a result OF which strong SYM
pathy and friendship had sprung up
between them. Alicia Allan, who had
all the delightful, restless ambition Of
an American girl, could not help but
be attracted to him, for the young man
was both interesting and interested,
and the girl took pleasure in telling
him all she could of her home.
He was an exceedingly good looking
Japanese. of medium height, slim but
athletic, with fine features. and with
eyes wider than the average Japanese
eyes: and he carried himself with all
the grace and dignity Of a Japanese
nobleman of the most ancient blood.
Alicia Allan had encouraged the first
timid advances he made made toward
1er. for she was delighted with the now
city of their friendship. Now he had
told her he loved her: told her so in his
gentle. earnest way and had asked her
to be his wife. Alicia had grown quite
white while he had been speaking and
when she spoke there was almost note
Of despair in her voice.
"Oh. Mr.. Shimoda, you have spoiled
our delightful friendship! You have
she had broken off here, Tor the young
mans face showed how deeply he was
suffering. II am so sorry! I never
thought of you otherwise than as 3
friend. She had watched his face anx-
iously Anything more than that is
impossible"
Shinoda had remained silent. his
head dropping little, his face drawn
with pain. Then he had crossed the
room slowly. and paused for moment
at the door.
You will excuse me this EVENING""
he asked.
Yes She had gone toward him,
her sweet blue eyes full Of misty tears.
II am so sorry. so sorry!" she kept
murmurins. Don't let it spoil our
friendship. want to be your friend
STILL
Thanks" he said smiling trife.
and then added, gently. I'VE will still
be friends"
Though there was suffering in his
eyes he had bowed with perfect COM
posure and had started slowly out OF
the room. Her eyes had followed him.
but she had been able to summon to
her tongue no last words: and so in
perfect silence on both sides these two
had parted.
Shimoda Orito left America almost
Immediately after his refusal by Alicia.
and spent some time in Europe. Then
he returned to Japan, there to take
position as sensel (professor) in the
Imperial University. He had kept up
an almost regular correspondence with
Alicia, and the genuine liking and adj
miration for each other seemed not to
have abated on either side, save per-
haps. that the young man had schooled
himself to regard her only as very
dear and sweet friend.
He had told his parents about Alicia
only a few days after his arrival home.
Although Shimoda had tried in every
way possible to let his parents see the
ideality of his relationship to Alicia
from an American standpoint. new
ertheless the two old people could not.
and perhaps would not, understand
i'm. They had set their hearts on
sse girl who lived only a short distance
from them. and they wondered mourn
Gully whether the years of loneliness
hey had spent because they had sent
MIN abroad to study was to be recon-
,ensed by his loving. not one of his
.wn countrywomen, but an American
girl-a girl whom they. the parents
Sad never seen.
Now, in all Kyushu there was no girl
70 beautiful Of charming as Haru-san.
When she was a little bit of child
Shimoda had carried her home on his
shoulder, and had announced to his
parents that he intended having her
for his little wife some day. The idea
had pleased and amused them at the
time. for Haru's parents We're quite
well-to-do people of standing in the
city: and, moreover, the girls dainti-
ness and charm had delighted them so
much that they could not help loving
her on her own account.
few days after their son had re-
turned they took him to call on Haru.
Haru knew of and expected this visit.
so she dressed herself in her prettiest,
most bewildering manner. and was all
ready to meet them with the sweet,
inimitable grace peculiar to the Jap
anese girl.
shimoda's trip abroad had somewhat
spoiled his natural love and apprecia-
tion OF his own home. He had imbibed
so much of the restless. progressive
spirit of the west that at first he found
1t hard to settle down to the easeful
manner of living which the Japanese
cultivate, and in which they delight.
Yet now, as he sat before Haru- san,
watching her deft, pretty fingers as she
prepared the tea for him, he felt a
sense of restfulness and peace such as
he had not experienced during the years
In America. He was keenly alive, too,
to the girls beauty and her exquisite
taste in all things, She came over and
sat beside him, and the young man was
filled with desire to keep her by his
side always, and with wonder at him
self that he ever should have forgot
ten her.
I'VE are all glad to see you home,
Oritosama," she told him, very sweetly.
He knew she was speaking most for
herself, and he smiled at her with Quiet
pleasure.
Later In the day they went out to.
gether and visited the old familiar
spots where they had spent so many
happy hours together in childhood.
Always think you will forget" she
said once, very sadly. II never for
get"
In her quiet, gentle words there was
to him something of accusation. He
looked down upon the dainty little fig
ure, into the dainty little face. and into
the eyes In which now sat sadness, but
even then behind that sadness he knew