Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1906-08-16

and graceful in the blue water outside
the reef, or was it the Flag of the
Rising Sum-" which, all day. over the
city had hung like a great bird with
beating wings, eloquent of Japan In
| trouble? This he knew: His country
was bleeding and in desperate struggle
He must go.
| But howp
He was a waiter at the big hotel.
"Koto,' said a soft voice as he
thoughtfully marshaled his glasses late
that evening "Koto, they say you will
go to the war"
Koto turned and beheld the Japanese
parlor maid who had worked In the
same hotel with him for four years,
and he saw deliverance. 1t was no
time TO think Of love, he knew, as he
noted the droop of the demure little
figure, the tremulous smile She would
smile though her heart &sre breaking.
1t was the way Of the women of his
country, and she would die for him IL
need be- he determined, as he fingered
next remark, which fell in voice as
soft as her apple cheek.
'sKoto, do you go to fight for Japan~
EYES," he answered, with difficulty,
II go to fight for Nippon. The aged
parents His face grew sharp.
Eyes, Koto," she comforted. He bent
over his task, unable to meet her eyes.
"If 1, so unworthy, could be a daugh-
ter to the honorable parents" she bow
ed formally, a fierce pain in her breast.
Beneath his well ordered Japanese
exterior Koeo's heart gave great leap
of relief and thanksgiving, but he only
said gravely, bowling low before the
womans soft pallor: 81 will marry
you, most honorable of women. Then
you will feel free to watch over the
aged parents, and If I die support
them
The woman laid pretty brown hand
over her heart, as If to quiet its tumult,
then said, smiling: You shall go to
fight for Nippon. The aged parents
shall be the first objects of my I'M
worthy care
He bent over her hands In sincere
delight. Love was not for him, he
knew, and he knew that she knew.
self nor her nor to his parents, but
to Japan. 1t was not for the fine man
to show painful emotion, so he said
simply:
"Come, let US go to them"
1.-THE prince has drafted me, o my
father and my mother! He bowed
low.
1.-THE emperor calls for troops" he
faltered miserably, aghast at their pal
lor. Then, snatching at his one ray
of comfort, he gently drew the woman
forward. Here is your daughter. She
will love you and care for YOU"
The aged pair raised their faces,
white, unearthly, celestial Bowling
low, the mother quavered: MY son, it
is the greatest of all glories to die for
Japan, but the soldier, the samurai,
must have no divided heart Rejoice
with us and with our daughter that we
may arm the soldier with the gift Of
our unworthy lives, lest, thinking Of us.
he forgot his duty to Nippon. My son,
here is your sword; it was your grand
fathers"
Koto sickened as he beheld his des-
tiny. He besought the uplifted face Of
the woman where she knelt, graceful
and white checked, near the aged pair.
The faces of the three were resolute,
rapt, radiant.
A gentle rush of wind filled the room
with a food of fragrance. Beyond the
swaying curtain he noted, with the sen
sitive eye of anguish moonlit canoe
leap to the crest of the booming swell,
hang above the green abyss for a
breath and in the next dash with the
momentum of the universe through
spray and sea drift high on the tawny
sands.
Receive It," the delicate voice flick
cred as the red blood leaped to her
dexterous stroke. Then, her fading
glance embracing the sacrifice, she
whispered, "Consecrated."
BY the sword there knelt until dawn
captain of the emperor's troops,
drinking deep of the vision that had
found him a light hearted youth and
in q few short hours had furrowed his
soul with the throes of the patriot and
crystallized his life to its task.