New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-22


hands and murmuring a singsong petition, tied the
strip of the branches. She remained moment
in contemplation then turned to me with deprecating
smile The honorable stranger gentleman laughs at
such things" she said. but how may know who is
right and who is wrong:"
Indeed, no. | replied, Il do not laugh; and if
my prayer could serve would join with you May my
God and yours protect your father and if there
demons to propitiate let humble ourselves before
them. | am very grateful that you do not hold me
responsible for the calamity"
You were but the honorable instrument; there
be no blame you
She turned with a gentle salutatOn and the hiss of
politely ndrawn breath and thanking for permitting
her trespaSS, pushed aside the bamboo pickets. |
followed her and went silently toward the house
There left her, refusing her offer of hospitality aud
set out for home. my mind full of the memory of her
changeful face and the undulang grace of her slim
BODY.
For many days this repeated. Every
twilight brought Koto and her prayer, and to
watch for her with ever-deepening longing. Nothing
would have persuaded me to forego one of these
chats with her quiet walks across the garden
full of evening sounds of frogs and insects
Now always went into the house and talked with
gentle Mrs Nomura about the war, the daily bulletin
the talk the legations the attitude of the foreign
powers in all of which she took passionate interest
As the news of the first engagements were brought in
excitement and anxiety intense. l shall
never forget the day when the lists of killed and
wounded in. Nomuras regiment suffered
heavily on one occasion, and kotos prayers to the
1t was time of strain to us all, and lonely III
the club The legations busy. the military
attaches he'd gone to the front; there formal
entertaining. except rye theatrical performances for
the benefit of the Red Cross and the bereaved families
To Of these took my friends but in spite of
their polite calm could that the bloody realism Of
the play m@dc deep and mournful impression upon
them.
Twilight hid closed in ere we reached home | left
them their house and strollcd to my dwelling.
which shone like huge paper lantern in the dusk
had pass close 20 the goblin tree, and did
| a tricIc OF fresh red sap flowing from the old
wound | startcd What should do, If my little
Koto saw this thought her fears and terrors would
have no bound-and enough. a swinging globe
Of light like freely in the distance, announced her
coming.
An inspiration came. y d.y cor SO before my kUn-
mia had rctouchcd the body of my rick shaw with
green paint Some Of the paint left. found it
and brush hastily lathcred the whole side OF the
tree and pushed brush and paint under the veranda,
just in time.
Koto advanced holding her lantern. nodding its
slender b-mboo rod like enormous bob tiny
fishing pole. She knclt down to f-sten her prayer
strip the her fingers encountered the paint
:" Excuse me" stammered, there
worms crawling the bark-l-was afraid they
would harm it, SO put on the green paint TO poison
them
1t was a very poor lie but my hearer took it in
good faith Green paint was doubtless European
method of killing off insect pests. would probably
have believed her if She had told that the Japanese
used turpentinc to cure toothache. She drew back,
gathered her skirts together with one hand, and adj
iuSted her offering.
''Will you give us your honorable company this
EVENING"" she asked My mother is sad, and wishes
your cheerful and noble presence"
with the greatest of pleasure, | replied, rising.
The autumn night beautiful. a young moon
sivered the scarlet leaves of the naples in Nomuras
garden From the lotus pond full, deep throated