The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1902-08-22
THE LOVE OF A
GELSHA GIRL.
BIZ ONOTO wATANNA.
500 90 cDc@

NIATSU'S father had been an Ameri-
1s can, her mother was a Japanese
woman. She had never seen her
father and her mother had died when
she was q little bit of a girl, so that
she had been brought up by her
Japanese relatives, who secretly de-
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
Nagasai, and although her life was
essentially gay one, in view of her
profession, she had lived 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 party
of tourists Natsu had attached her.
self to him, and had thereafter sought
him out and followed him around
Hike pathetic and faithful little dog,
to the amusement of his friends and
sstealthy 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.
stYou are the prettiest thing have
ever SEEM" he told her one day.
sMore beauteefoo1 than the Ameri-
scazan ladies?"
ever so much," he told her, ex-
travagantly.
$50? Then perhaps you tellin' 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 restlessIy at his feet.
tEMe my own self dom know. Cep
~thad also bIongin' 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?"
'EI'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 japanese summer passed in the
company of her lover banished the
shadow, however, and lit up the visit
full, questioning eyes to a joyous con-
tentment with her lot.
Then there came day when Frank
climbed the hill with tagging steps.
Il am going home" he told her,
with brief cruelty. The girls face
sblanched 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 it's 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 to
answer him then, Frank had started
out on a voyage round the world
They had correspondent constantly
during the period of his travels, and
now her answer had come to him
1T was such as would have thrilled
him with gladness in the old days
for she had babe him come to her!
Yet when he read the letter slowly
lie was conscious only of pain that
Supplied him. It is true he had
looked forward to, and waited for
this answer; yet now that it had come
.he ct no delight. With hands trust