Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-18
Sword Of the Samupai
Continued from page 10

Is the day-hve years ago-when you and
started on our wedding-journey, Violet. Do
you remember that?" he asked.
She gave him one swift look out of deep blue
eyes which spoke volumes Il remember"
she said with stiff lips.
He drew the chair to the fire and sat down
unlimited, looking into the blaze with the air
of man who has pleasant "reminiscences.
"Do you remember the old lady on the
train who thought you were runaway
schoolgirl" he asked.
81 wasn't much more she said sadly.
What lovely day it was when we got to
St. Augustine, Violet and how charmed
you were with the old town and the lowersl"
She did not answer-she too had memories.
do you remember that day at Palm Beach
when we thought we had found Eden under
the palms?" he went on musingly.
She laughed-a little bitter forced laugh.
"An folly, Colonel Enton, blind youthful
folly, as we found to our cost"
81 suppose it was" he admitted regretfully;
but don't you think it a pity that it wasn't
something more?" He turned and surprised
tears in the blue eyes
"a great PITY she replied with spirit;
but did you try to make it last?"
He leaned back in his chair with sigh.
:" I'm afraid I'm very much to blame Violet"
he said; but about that-oh, well, now you
know l never talk about a woman-but on
my honor there never was thing in it Your
mother is SO suspicious. With all due respect,
must say think she was born with jaundiced
Pray spare me, Colonel Enton," his wife
interrupted Jelly: ION such subjects l should
prefer your legal representative"
Would you" he said, when l only meant
to say that she couldn't hold candle to you?
The whole thing is vastly absurd!''
Violet Ent; flushed holly and bit her lip
He reached over to the table and took up the
slender package he had laid there, and slowly
unwraPped it. She started with surprise at
the sight Of the Japanese sword.
81 do not understand" she began.
He smiled " Fushi brought It to me last
evening, he explained.
"Fushi? Why?" she exclaimed.
For simple and noble purpose" he re-
piled. :" He advised me to commit hara-kiri''
Fushi advised you to commit hara-kiri?"
she repeated, bewildered. " You are dreaming!"
He shook his head NO it looked like a
dream. japanese nightmare. He solemnly
advised me to make way with myself
&" But l do not understand" she said again.
" Fushi is so sweet a child, why should he
Think of anything so sanguinary? Because
Fushi is devoted to the Lady Kiku, and he
thinks that l have made her unhappy"
Violet Enton flushed a lovely red.
:" contemplated the sword" continued the
Colonel calmly; "but l confess 1 haven't
Fushi's courage. The idea didn't appeal to
me in that shape. l should prefer a pistol"
She made no reply; she was hiding her con-
fusion by again looking into the fire.
lie was silent tor some moments, but his
face grew more genial. Violet" he said at
last, what is it all about? 7"
She still looked away; her lips quivered, and
she clasped her hands tightly in her lap
He waited looking at her kindly, and then
laid his hand gently over hers. "Vi," he said,
IN take all the blame. | beg your pardon;
but what is it all about?"
Many times the sled of Fushi Columbo had
made its journey up and down the hill behind
the house but doubts of cruel nature were
devouring his happiness. If the Lord Colonel
failed him At last the stout little yellow legs
trotted firmly through the snow to the house
and Fushi slipped in. He heard voices in the
drawing-room and made for the door. A
strange sight met his gaze: the Lord Colonel
sat by the fire with his chair aarmingly close to
that of the Lady Kiku, and he held her hands,
Disgust filled the soul of Fushi. He stepped
into the room and stood regarding them with
stern displeasure. They both looked up.
The Colonel smiled broadly and shamelessly
"Well?" he said.
The small figure seemed to wax great in
dignity. He raised accusing finger and
pointed it at the Lord Colonel You are a
cowardP' said Fushi with deep conviction.
ooh, no, no, Fushii' she cried, "see-if he
had used that sword it would have broken my
heart. We are friends again, dear, through you"
Fushi looked at her solemnly {" Is the Lord
Colonel kind to you again?" he demanded.
" Are you happy, Lady Kiku1"
She nodded, all smiles and tears Shake
hands with him, Fushi," she said; you two
r G., L.