Middletown transcript., 1904-07-02
-
A PRINCESS OF THE STARS
By LOUISE 2. DEW.

NH all of whom were gazing
~ expectantly across the blue
waters Of the bay. The
men in their spotless linen suits and
white topees looked well-groomed and
comfortable. The women in dainty,
fluffy organdies, soft mulls and clinging
crepes appeared as cool as If their eyes
beheld vision OF the frosty caucasus.
Nevertheless, it was June, and in Japan
this means hot, days and still hotter
nights.
Suddenly there was a stir on the upper
piazza when the Deutschland, with flying
colors, slowly steamed into the harbor
and was saluted by the Japanese squad
ron. Thus was his Royal Highness,
Prince Henry, welcomed to "the land Of
the rising sun" by the Emporer, the
native officials and the German com.
munity of Yokohama.
But the group on the lower piazza still
looked across the bay toward the west.
At length handsome. soldierly man Of
possibly fifty, elevated his field glasses
for perhaps the hundredth time that
afternoon. Immediately the ghost of q
smile, which he always wore, broadened
into look Of positive JOY as he announced
in his quiet, well-bred voice, that lie
sighted the Empress, and at once started
for the hatoba (wharf).
Long before the ship cast anchor DR..
Eastman espied his daughter in the
group on the upper deck, and when she
smiled into his eyes he felt compensated
for the months OF separation.
Darling Daddyv' she cried few
minutes later as he clasped her to his
breast. 1T seems too good to be true
Pinch me, and see if am not dreaming" "
"You are very much awake, my dear, :"
he said ioyfully, patting her plump, dim
pied cheek, "and if | have my way we
shall never again be separated"
Then releasing her, he shook his finger
at her playfulIy, and added, katherine,
I'm prepared to annihilate the first man
who dares to fall III love with you, go
beWaren'
"You silly Daddy?" the gill answered
gayly. "Tm never going to marry unless
meet some one as good as you are, and
inasmuch as | don't believe there is
another man in the world half as good,
you see there is no danger Of you losing
me-"
"Oh, what fatterer y said her father
his beaming face close to hers, as he
seated her in her jinrikisha. "Just wait
until you see Colonel Randolph"
IT detest Englishmen n
"Well, then there is Richard Lee, tea
merchant, gentleman and American all
combined, waiting on the piazza Of the
Grand this moment to welcome you to
Japan"
Katherine shrugged her shoulders in
differently at his badinage, and answered,
disdainfully, ''How commonplace lie
must bel Whereupon her father clam
bered into his jinrikisha, and the faithful
little coolies trotted up the bund (street
facing the sea under the feathery
branches Of the bamboos, to the hotel.
As Katherine and her father came up
the walk arm in arm, many monocles
and lorgnettes were turned on them, but
the girl carried herself with the air of
queen, and faced the artillery Of glances
with perfect equanimity, which did not
escape the sharp eyes Of her father.
Daughter" he whispered into the
pink ear nearest him, as they mounted
the steps, "you are Virginian to the
back bone, and glory in your spirit"
Then he sighed wistfully, "You have
grown into the very image Of your mother,
dear"
The hand on his arm tightened its clasp
as he led her to the circle OF friends who
had already arisen to greet her.
eve have all been watching for you,
my dear" said Mrs. Midway cordially,
after the introductions.
Eyes, we feel quite well acquainted
with you already" assented Miss Med
way heartily.
There is no one gladder to see you
than I, Miss Eastman" said Colonel
Randolph, with sidewise glance at Miss
Midway to note the effect of his speech. |
'sNot soul in this place can | induce
to play cribbage with me, and life to me
without cribbage is a dreadful bore.
Your father has offered consolation bv
assuring Inc that you are an excellent
hand at the game"
If you don't wish to be beaten, YOU
would better not play with Katherine
DIR. Eastman suggested.
Take heart, Colonel" remarked Mr.. |
Lee cheerily, "the worst is yet to come !"
and then turning his smiling eyes en-
Katherine, he said, quietly, "Welcome
to Japan, and the Grand, Miss Eastman. |
|, too, am Virginian, and it seems like
a breath of home to meet you here. You
and my sister were classmates at Vassar,
| believe"
care you Elinor Lees brother Dick r. |
she said in astonishment.
u am proud to say am" he replied, |
showing fair face that smiled from the |
case Of the open watch lie held before |
her
Daddy, why didn't you tell me ?''
exclaimed Katherine rather reproach-
fully, wien she and her father were
having quiet talk in her room.
''Tell you what ~ asked DIR. Eastman. |
enjoying her discontinue.
"You know, you old dear. Why, next |
to you, Daddy, have always thought |
Of Richard Lee as quite superior to other
mortals. Elinor adores him, and We
had him morning, noon and night, with
a sprinkling between times, until we
were fairly sick Of bis name. What
for me to meet him here p
The smile that DR.. Eastman gave her
Is he left the room was decidedly tan
alizing and enigmatic.
Life in port like Yokohama, where