The leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1895-1905, 1904-09-03
REGINA
GRACE FRANCES BIRD
by the Short Story
All rights reseryed,1

| 6a5eaSeastaSesScaGGsS eSS3 esSa " $500
(Copyright. 1897. By the Short Story Publishing Co.
All rights reservedl
| T HERE came to Harvard university
in the early SOS little Japan
csc lad, Nagoya by name. And droll
addition he was to the student body of
| that institutions less cosmopolitan days.
Still the contrast was by no means to the
| disadvantage of the young Japanese.
Though of rather short stature, his 1.-the,
| graceful body was in perfect proportion,
while his wonderful exploits in the
gymnasium continually astounded those
who mistook his delicate appearance for
an index Of his physique. His queer olive
face, merry little eyes and comically
| melancholy mouth proved all the more
fascinating because of their unlikeness
to the more sternly cut features of his
classmates; while through its contrast
to the harsher New England accent his
soft, gentle voice with its quaint intona-
lions gained piquant charm, whether
heard in conversation or recitation. Be-
ing, besides, bright, jovial and affection
ate, Nagoya at once became a great
favorite with the students, while his
frankness, integrity and persistent ap-
plication soon won the favor of the most
stony-hearted professors. Indeed, popu-
lar as he was among the students, it was
soon noted with some surprise that
Nagoya chiefly sought the companion
ship of older men. In this, however, the
little Japanese was simply following out
his instructions. For he had come to
Harvard in accordance with long-es--
tablished custom of the Japanese gov.
eminent, which sends at frequent inter-
walls, to the educational institutions of
other countries, youth selected from the
flower of the nobility, that thus the ma
ton may benefit by its rivals important
discoveries and inventive devices.
His especial friend and confidant was
Prof. Bernardini, instructor in the scien-
tific department. The two were con-
stantly together, whether experimenting
in the laboratory, reading in the library,
or botanizing in long rambles into the
country. Indeed, within a short time
such strong attachment had sprung up
between them that the professor pro-
posed to receive Nagoya into his home as
a member of the family during the re-
mainder Of his college days; an offer
that Nagoya gratefully accepted, no less
because Of the delightful home life thus
opened to him than because of the op-
portunity for close association with
people whose manners and customs he
was studying And for this purpose
the Japanese lad could not have found
better household. The family was
not large; it'consisted only Of the pro-
lessor, his gentle American wife, and
three children, who, being not far from
Nagoya's age, proved especially agree
able companions. OF these the two
elder were boys-Nagoya's classmates
bright, honest fellows, full of healthy
animation and enthusiasm. The third
was sweet little maid of 12-Regina,
the baby of the family-a roguish lit
tie tyrant with great black eyes, very
long curls, and very short skirts. AL
together Regina was an absolute auto
crat, and lived her name by ruling the
members of her household with a
despotism that amazed the young jan
anese, accustomed to the submissive
woman of the orient.
For four years Nagoya remained in
the happy American home, becoming
with each day more and more attached
to his foster relatives He was, as a
matter of course, a devoted admirer of
the professor and his wife, and the
constant companion of the boys while
Regina-well, Nagoya had long since
ceased to wonder at the homage ten
dered the little queen by her devoted
subjects. In fact, despite the lack of
years on both sides, the young Japan
csc had fallen deeply in love with lit
tie Regina Bernardini.
Coming as he did from q land where
children are welded when barely in
their teens, Nagoya saw nothing that
was not perfectly natural in this
youthful attachment, and cherished
fond dreams of the bright future when
he should sail with his dear one to the
land of the rising sun.
Meantime the Bernardinis had never
for an instant guessed the young
orientaIs secret romance. To them
his open caresses and love avowals, his
pretty gifts to their little daughter, |
seemed only the tokens of one child's
grateful affection for another. So
that when, a few weeks previous to his
departure, Nayoga laid before the pro
lessor the pathetic little tale of his love
and hopes, that individual was as much |
taken aback as though bomb had |
been exploded at his feet
OF course the proposal was not to
be considered. Very gently the pro
fessor explained to his young comrade
the situation as viewed by American
eyes, dwelling upon Regina's youth and
innocence and her unsuspecting affec-
ton for him, which could never attain |
greater depth.
The young oriental bore the news (
quietly, but from that time his spirits /
dropped; his elastic step grew languid, |
his joyous laughter silent. until final
" his friends feared lest some break
down should follow this seeming
apathy.
But they had underestimated the
strength OF Nagsya's character. Dur
ing the few remaining days Of his stay
he pursued his customary duties with
dogged determination; only now his
slow, mechanical movements were never
relieved BY the enthusiasm once 50 char
scteFistic Of thelad, nor was bis dreatnz.
gentle voice ever ysized q sFgY le
e. lagkhlae Ftg