Middletown transcript., 1904-07-02

They all say Shikata ga-nai, replied
Colonel Randolph.
Interpret, please said Katherine,
impatiently.
TITS equivalent to saying Things are
bad, but they might be worse Foi
bearing up against calamity and smiling
in the face of Fate, there are few people
superior to the japanese. !"
"And how did the fire start p asked
practical Mrs. Midway.
"As they all do" answered Colonel
Randolph, with shrug of his broad
shoulders. "A small boy helped himself
to string of giant frecrackers; he didn't
know they we're loaded, | suppose
match did the rest"
II forgot to tell you, Miss Eastman,
said Mr.. Lee evasively, taking her by the
arm and leading her to the other end Of
the piazza, sbut Mr.. Tanabe is hurt
pretty badly. He was asleep in the inn
when the fire started. and was half suffo-
Gated before he was taken out. Randolph
and I got there just in the nick of time
to be OF service. -
"Poor Mr.. Tanabe y exclaimed Kath-
crime, the tears yelling into her eyes.
Daddy must go to him at once" and
she wheeled about.
He has already gone, Miss Eastman, .
was the answer, as his hand touched her
arm restrainingly. 1--WE will hope that
your father can do something for the
poor fellow. | talked with Mr.. Tanabe
alone few moments, and he bade me
come to you-dear."
Katharine looked at him inquiringly,
the quick color surging up in her face
only to reeede second later, leaving her
deadly pale. He read her thoughts.
II know all about it, little GIRL" he
said gently, taking both her hands in
his; 1T is my turn now. 1tseems almost
like sacrilege to speak OF my love for you
on such night, but if you could ouly
know what your coming has meant to
me, you would understand. You are
mine, Katherine. am only claiming my
own. Look at me. sweetheart" and he
took her face between his broad palms
and gazed at her masterfully.
What he saw was not a disappointment,
for he stopped and kissed her.
Together they stood in the shadow Of
the cleaning pillars and listened to the
sea-gull calling to its mate across the quiet
waters OF the bay. The night air was
heavy with the odor OF lotus blossoms.
Innumerable cicade grated in the trunks
and branches of the trees. Birds, late to
their nests, chirped their good-nights,
which reminded the two that the Fourth
was past, and Katherine slipped away
to her room to dream over the strangest
day she had ever experienced.
As soon as Mr. Tanabe was able to he
moved, he insisted on going to his an
cestral home, an old daimio's palace five
miles from Yokohama. With his face
and hands still enswathed in linen ban
dages, he left the city, accompanied by
his servants and DIR. Eastman, who had
him faithfully from the begin
ming.
Katherine did not see him until the
end of the following April, when an in
yitation came to her and her father to
spend an afternoon in his home. At first
she demurred-the situation seemed soi
but both Mr.. Lee and her
father assured her that she need feel no
hesitation under the circumstances. And
SO she went All consli ai,.t vanished
when she looked into the poor SCARED
face and heard bis 'Irrashimaslli r. vel
come), but her heart went out to him in
. sympathy which her voice and attitude
lily concealed, and which must have been
CALLING to the proud-spirited man who
had descended from long line Of soldier
ancestors.
"shikata -ga-nai," he smilingly said,
bowling low over the white hand she ex-
ended. "There are scars that will take
onger to heal than these" pointing 10
lis scanned hands. "But come we must
nave tea."
After refreshments the three wandered |
rom room to room ofsthe old palace, adj
hiring the contents of the quaint cabi-
lets, the latter having been thrown open
or the occasion. There we're rich en-
,roideries, ancient books OF poetry, lac
Luer bric-a-brac, and swords handed
lown from Samurai ancestors.
Katherine paused before an exquisite
vase and bronze fire-bowl.
"Oh, how beautiful r. she said. II
ever saw anything to compare with
hesep
''They belonged to one Of my Shogun
he said. Il think more Of
hem than anything possess-unless it
J this" and he unrolled a gauze kake-
lono on which was painted a graceful
tork, in the bold fanciful designs Of the
apanese.
"How proud you must be Of them,"
he said, admiringly, ,as he hung the kake-
iono in the tokonama (recess) to show
he effect, and placed the vase in its
roper position on the shelf Of tile middle
lcove, with branch Of cherry blossoms
! it. DR.. Eastman, with the eyes OF a.
still loitered by the cabinet,
the sword, with it, jeweled
andle.
Il am proud Of it, my Princess Of the
tars-forgive me, just this once let Inc
Ill you So" lie whispered plesldingly.
There is 10 one in the world to whom |
ould part with my treasures but to you,
lost honorable and august one. Oh your
edding day ! would a trifling gift send,
token very small. You will not it re-
lse and make me more hurt. Promise
'e you will accept whatever / send.''
"Please don't, Mr.. Tanabe," she said.
Promise me, quick" said he, as DR..
astInan approached. 1T will scarcely
. worthy OF mention. For the sake of