The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-05-23
WHEN THE GUNBoAT RETURNED

WHEN THE GUNBOAT RETURNED
The Okushiri steamed into the bay
and landed her crew-all, that is,
Poor little Love Bird!' sighed
Kitsu.
But Love Bird lit was Branksome.
the English newspaper correspondent,
who had thus christened the dainty
Japanese maid) did not even sigh
s'Tell me more, kitsu, she pleaded
tell me of mA lost loved one,
pleasei'
Pulling himself together, Kitsu told
again how Esashi, Love Birds loyal
love, had fought his gun against the
Russian batteries when brave men
shrank from the hail of death until,
with a lurch of the gunboat, he had
been pitched overheard and-lost!
The very simplicity of the telling
added a drenching pathos to the
story; but Love Bird did not weep
She had left the British legation at
Yokohama, where he was employed,
and where Branksome, a guest of the
minister, had poetized over her daint-
mess what time he was not anathema-
tizing her inquisitive rummaging of
his belongings. She had left the lega-
ton with a joyfully overlooking heart
to meet her love; she returned with i
heart bound as with death.
A lacquered box held her few
maiden secrets Within the box was
anOInGT-
ing two fiat pastiles.
Branksome owned a similar box,
only his was full to the brim with the
pastilIes. He had found her one day
prying inquisitively into the larger
box, toying playfully with the con-
tents, and he had bounced upon her
with so great a yell of anger that she
had slipped the smaller box out of
sight.
Love Bird" he had said. IF ever I
catch you lingering my belongings
again I will make you swallow one of
those pastilles, and then, Love Bird,
you will die. Do you understand, you
meddling young sinner? Those things
are poison! Do you want to die a sud
den death before your sailor-love re-
turus?''
She had shuddered at the thought and
run trembling away to conceal the
smaller box, the possession of which
she dared not reveal to Branksome.
And now-Esashi was dead! And the
sweetness of life was gone. One Love
Bird cannot live alone.
She swallowed the pastilles-both.
Exactly two hours later Kitsu limp
ed recklessIy to the door of the Lega-
ton compound just as Branksome roll
ed out of a riksh. Kitsu bounced upon
him with a wonderous tale.
Happy little Love Bird!'' replied
Branksome. so her love is alive, after
all. Picked up by one of your torpedo
boats and landed an hour ago, Ell? You
are sure? It would kill the little maid
if I raised false hopes.
Kitsu was positive. He had himself
seen Esashi carried aShore-Wounded
but very much alive.
Branksome fastened into the lega-
ton, and almost ran into the minister's
arms.
Where is little Love Bird?" he in
quired. I've good news for her 1t
appears that her Jack Tar love didn't
die after all, but was picked up by.
beg your pardon? What is that?
Love Bird is? Not dead? But how?
why
A muffied Babel of voices from an in
ner room sent him racing to the scene
Of Love Birds agony.
She was lying on the floor, still,
straight, bathed in an awful pallor.
Love Bird, wake upi' he cried; I've
glorious news for you'll Esashi has come
back! He is in Yokohama! The tale
you heard was a miserable mistake!
Wake up, little Love Bird! Don't you
hear me? Don't yOu-?"
He swung on his heel and appealed
to his shrinking, terror-stricken COM
panions.
What has happened?" he demanded.
And how? Why did Love Bird die?
Has any one gone for the doctor? Can't
somebody eXplain?"
The British minister walked in.
Il had mind to spare you, Drank
some" he said, but perhaps you ought
10 KNOW the L IOuQQ THIS DO& IN
the girls hands. It tells its own trag-
edy.'
He handed Branksome the little
round box that, on its gummed label
bore the dread legend, "Pastilles-
Poison
The second word was written in pen
ell, in Branksome's handwriting, and
was in Japanese.
Branksome glanced at the box, found
it empty, stood for a moment in pom
dering uncertainty, then flung the box
across the room.
Love Bird Love Bird" he cried, as
he raised the Japanese maid in his arms
and shook. her. What folly is this?
Wake up. you little simpleton! You're
not dead; you're only frightened
awaiting the end that, thank Heaven!
is not due yet. Come child, throw off
your stuporl You're a. silly little goose,
and you stole my pastilles, but you are
no more poisoned than L am. I told
you a lie because I didn't want all my
dyspepsia cure chewed up for sweet
meats. Do YOU hear, you little simple
tOn2 Open your eyes and
Slowly, tinidly, but half believingly,
Love Bird opened her almond-shaped
eyes.
Am I not poisoned?" she whispered.
And is it true that Esashi has come
back2"
Branksome's peal of laughter answer
ed both questions in the glad affirma-
tive--Arthur Rigby, in Illustrated Bits.
Everybody reads the State Journal.