The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-11-13

Osana sane Adventure.

Yacco; mists rose and melted from the
encircling rice fields; the perfume OF
cherry blossoms was upon the wtnd-an
erratic wind that blew IN breath
snatching puffs, and twirled the little
fans in the black polished couture OF
Osana San as she toddled daintily along
the street in her lacquered sandals Her
blue and gold kimono caught the sun
light with a CLEAN; her huge red sash,
tied in a butterfly bow, added a daring
note of color, and her gayly Powered
paper parasoI made just the background
for her delicate oval face Her skin
was the cream Of ivory family tinted
with rose Her mouth was like scar
let lily, and her sianting eyes were like
! dark jewels, very sombre, but with a
brilliant CLINT In their depths
She looked as if she had stepped
straight out of the Mikado, or off a
Satsuma vase" declared Mrs. Caring
ton. the wife of the American consul,
glancing up from the luncheon table to
watch the passing Of Osana San
| She's the very essence of this beauti-
full Japan
She's delicious" agreed Mr.. Car
rington and the American words and
/ phases you have taught her make her
dOubly so. She gives a twist to them
/ that is all her own. L tell you, Alice,
she could teach our American women
good many things-she's so demure and
quiet and contented."
Yet, had Mr.. Darlington but known it,
/ contented was precisely what Osana
San was not. A perfect crater of un-
rest burned in her little soul. Her blood
raced in time to the pulse of spring,
and, as she walked through the sleepy
/ half deserted streets of YaccO, there
was nothing in the world for which she
| lOnged SO much for an adventure.
And she had her wish. As she passed
the door of a tea cup shop the wind
gave a sudden gust blowing her paper
parasol inside out and wrenching it from
her hand. whirl of dust filed her
eyes, and she shut them with a quick
] blink. When she opened them she saw
a tall man in blue serge standing in
front Of her He was holding her para
sol.
ct think this is yours" he said
smiling pleasantly.
"A thousand thank yous,. murmur-
ed Osana San in her very best Eng
lish. II fear my humble Darasol has
given your illustrious self great trou-
blue"
"A great pleasure. believe me- he
answered. Then, with long look at
Osana San. he raised his hat. and went
back into the tea cup shop
"OhN breathed Osana San. rubbing
her smooth fingers I'D and down the
bamboo handle where his hands and
touched it. How tall and handsome he
was, and how broad shouldered! She
had seen few American men save Mr..
Darlington; for Yacco. though not far
from Toxic, was off the main line and
so inaccessible that travellers seldom
came there. Mr.. Darlington, moreover,
was old. with a wrinkled face and
white hair while this stranger was
young-divinely young, with a way of
IoOking-the rose deepened in her
cheek as she remembered it. 1t was
day of marvels! And there were
more to come; for, standing near by,
so near that it was a wonder she had
not noticed it, was a strange object
such as Osana San had never seen be-
fore. She guessed 1t to be one OF the
/ hOrseless carriages of which Mrs. Car
rington had told her. She gazed at It,
fascinated. And then wild idea took
possession of her. She wondered how
it would seem to sit on the cushioned
leather seat She gave hurried
glance up and down the street. There
was no one in sight In the teacup
shop the young American was busily
selecting china; his back was towards
her; he would never know. Swiftly
she made up her mind and stepped
into the motor.
Now I am like an American girl"
she said to herself intoxicated with
the newness of the thing. She heard a
heavy step in the shop behind her, and
started up guiltily. Her moment OF
stolen sweetness was over. But alas
for Osana san! In her haste the wide
sleeve of her kimono caught on the
lever of the machine; she jerked 1t and
the mischief was done. Quietly the
machine began rolling along the street.
For a while she was too dazed to
scream. and when she found voice she
was already on the outskirts or Yacco.
The road stretched on miles ahead, as
straight and white as long RIBBON. A
laborer toiling in the rice fields raised
his head to look at her.
"Oaii Oaii' she cried in Japanese
"Stop me! Stop mel" The man stared
at her stupidity, too amazed to move,
and she sped past him. Her hands
futtered about the nickel plated Won
ders of the motor like pair OF fright
ened birds. Perhaps if she pressed
something it would stopi Very eau
/ tiously she tried. The result was a
loud ''Honki Honk!" ear piercing and
terrible Osana San crouched on the
seat with a sob of utter despair and
helplessness. On and on she went,
2 past rice fields and low lying marshes
where cranes flew, calling d1smally 10
one another; past little matched farm
houses sheltered from the midday glare
by clumps of graceful bamboo Osana
t San was becoming desperate some
l thing must be done. Gathering her
courage together she pushed and pull
! ed at all the contrivances she could lay
r hands on and luck favored her II
front of a lonely wayside temple the
motor came to sudden stop. With
great breath of relief. Osana San
aHghted. Tears We're stlli ghstenlng OF
: her cheeks. Here in the shadow OF
s the temple I will be SAFE she said
land I will wait till the august and
/ honorable stranger comes for his mos'
! terrifying machine"
But when the stranger, whose name
was Douglass Morton, arrived in a jim
rickshaw some hours later, he found
Osana San cuddled up on the temple
steps. fast asleep.
poor little frightened butterfly" he
murmured. Thank heaven shes safe
! It's a pity to waken her.
Osana San opened her eyes and saw
: him bending over her.
e Most august" she faltered, ''mS
+ name is Osana san, and my unworths
:; curiosity
t That's all. right Morton said heart
: liz II understood how 1t happened and