The Wichita daily eagle., 1904-05-25
WHEN GUNBOAT RETURNED
into the bay and


The okughiri steamed into the bay and
landed her crew-all, that is. save one.
Poor little Love Bird,' sighed Kitsu-
But Love Bird Gt was Branksome, the
Saglish newspaper correspondent, who
II thus ohirstened the dainty Japan
e maid did not even sigh
..'Ten me more, Kitsu.'' she pleaded
t'tell me of my lost loved one, please.
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 over
board and-lost,
The very simplicity of the telling add
ed a drenching pathos to the story; but
Love Bird did not weep.
She had left the British Legation at
Yokahoma, where he was employed, and
where Branksome. a guest OF the Minis
ter, had poetized over her daintiness what
time he was matchmaking her inquisi-
tive rummaging of his belongings. She
had left the legation with a jeyfully over
flowing heart 70 meet her love; she re-
turned with a heart bound as with death
a ldCQltEtQ
secrets. Within the box was another,
small and circular, containing two fat
pastilles.
Branksone owned similar box, only
his was full to the brim with the pas
TILES He had found her one day pry-
ing inquisitively into the larger box, toy
ing playfaIly with the contents, and he
had pounced upon her with so great
yell of anger that she had slipped the
smaller box out Of sight.
Love Bird he had said. IF 1 ever
catch you lingering my belongings again
/ will make you swallow one of those
pastilIes and then, Love Bird you Will
dwie. Do you understand, you meddling
young sinner. Those things are poison!
Do you want TO die a sudden death be-
fore your sailor-iove returns?'
Death"
She had shuddered at the thought and
rgin tremblingIy 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 had gone. One Love
Bird can not live alone.
She swallowed the pastilles-both.
Exactly two hours later Kitsu limped
rrecklesly to the door of the legation
compound just as Branksome doled out
OF a riksh. Kitsu pounced upon him
with a wondrous tale.
Happy little Loye Bird replied
Branksome. so her love is alive, after
all. Picked up one of your torpedo boats
and landed an hour ago, eh? You are
sure? II would kill the little maid if 1
raised false hopes"
kitsu was positive He had himself
seen Esashi carried ashore-wounded, but
very much alive.
Branksome FASTENED into the legation
and almost ran into the minister's arms.
Where is little Love Bird?" he in
quired. I've good news for her. 1t ap-
pears that her Jack Tar love didn't die
after all. but was picked UP BY beg
your pardon? What is that? Lowe Bird
is?-Not Dead? But how?-why''-
A mufled Babel Of voices from an inner
rom 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 up" he cried; I've
glorious news for you. Esashi has come
back, He is in Yokahoma, The tale you
heard was a miserable mistake. Don't
you hear me? Don't you
He swung on his heel and appealed 10
his shrinking, terror-stricken compan-
ions.
What has happened?" he demanded
And how? Why did Love Bird die?
Has any one gone for the doctor? Can't
somebody explains"
The British minister walked in.
II had a mind to spare you. Brank-
sonne," he said, but perhaps you ought
TO know the truth. l found this box in
{ .ie girls hands 1t tells its own trag-
edy''
He handed Branksome the little box
that on its gummed label bore the dread
legend, Pastelles-Poison."
The second word was written in pencil.
In Branksome's handwriting. and was in
japanese.
Branksome glanced at the box. found
1t empty. stood for moment in ponder
ing uncertainty, then flung the box across
the room.
Love Bird. Love Birdr' he cried. as
he raised the japanese maid in his arm
and shook her. What folly IS this?
Wake up. you little simpleton, You're
not dead; you're only frightened-await-
ing the end that, thank Heaven. is not
due Yet. Come. child. throw of your
stupor, You're a silly little gose, and
you stole my pastilles. bbut you are no
more poisoned than l am. l told you a
lie because | didn't want all my dys-
persia chewed up for sweetmeats. DO
eyes and
Slowly. timidly. but half belevingly. /
Love Bird opened her almond-shaped
eyes
Am I not poisoned?" she whispered 4
And it is true that Esashi has come ,
back?'
Branksome's peal OF laughter answered .
both questions in the giad affirmative
Arthur Rigby. in Illustrated Bits.