The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1902-08-28
THE LOVE OF A
GELSHA GIRL.
5000 @c@cOca
BY ONOTO wATANNA.

NIATSU'S father had been an Ameri-
IN can, her mother was a japanese
woman. She had never seen her
father and her mother had died when
she was little bit of a girl, so that
she had been brought up by her
spised and disliked her on her
fathers account. He was said to
have deserted her mother.
Natsu was very beautiful. She
earned her living as geisha girl in
one of the prominent tea houses of
NagasalIi, and although her life was
essentially a gay one, in view of her
profession, she had lived a strangely
lonely and isolated life.
Frank Garfield was the first friend
she had ever had, and he was only
sojourning in the country for short
season. From the first day he had
visited the tea-house with a party
of tourists Natsu had attached her
self to him, and had thereafter sought
him out and followed him around
like pathetic and faithful little dog,
to the amusement of his friends and
stealthy delight of the young man
himself, who was keenly susceptible
to the girls extraordinary beauty.
In few weeks time he had lost his
head, if not his heart, to the little
girl.
you are the prettiest thing have
ever seem" he told her one day.
More beauteefool than the Ameri-
cazan ladies?"
Ever so much" he told her, ex-
travagantly.
$50? Then perhaps you telin' me
with you mex time you goin' bag cross
the west waters."
what do you want to go for?"
She shrugged her little shoulders,
and moved restlessly at his feet.
me my own self don know. Cep'
thad also l blongin' ad your red-head
country. Pray TEX me with you.
Whad you say?'
AS he did not answer her, she con-
tinued, reproachfully, "Mebbe you
'shamed TEX me there?"
I'm not-not a bit" he answered
quickly, taking her two little hands
in his, and smoothing them lovingly.
'But-er-you know-that wouldn't
do at all, Natsu. You wouldn't I'M
derstand the people in the slightest,
and you might be very unhappy"
Natsu did not answer him but the
dissatisfied look on her face deepen
ed. The dreamy, sleepy, happy days
of a Japanese summer passed in the
company of her lover banished the
shadow, however, and lit up the visit
full, questioning eyes to joyous con-
tentment with her lot.
Then there came a day when Frank
climbed the hill with tagging steps.
Il am going home" he told her,
with brief cruelty. The girls face
blanched pitiful white, and she be-
gan to SILVER.
AN me?"
His courage broke down in the face
of her grief.
81 am coming back to you. I am
coming back, sure, sure!" he lied to
her. He knew, even as he spoke,
that it was his intention never to see
her again, but he could not summon
the courage to tell her so, and drive
away from the girls beseeching face
all its trembling, questioning, hope
full light.
Before Frank Garfield had sailed
for Japan he had asked Grace Evans
to be his wife. She had told him very
gently that she was not prepared tC
answer him then. Frank had started
out on a voyage round the world
They had corresponded constantly
during the period of his travels, anc
now her answer had come to him
1t was such as would have thrilled
him with gladness in the old days
for she had bade him come to her
Yet when he read the letter slowly
he was conscious only of pain tina
stupified him. 1t is true he haC
looked forward to, and waited for
this answer; yet now that it had com'
he felt no delight. With hands thrus