The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1907-06-20
"A Question OF Honor.
A Story Of a Little Jan.

a story Oh Little Jap. ~
Fushimi swung to and fro on the
gate. He was ten years old, but
looked seven. His mother had died
In the land of cherry blossoms and
his father had brought him to Amer
lea to learn the language and become
educated. He had been left in the
family of Col. Burton, whom s'Fushi''
had remembered as the smiling
young officer who had paid his small
parsonage such marked attention
whenever his father had taken him
to visit the Legation at Toxic.
Now, although his little Oriental
face was placid, his small eyes
snapped, for he was now thinking of
the stalwart army officer in a new
light.
Fushi had had two strong senti-
ments. He adored "the lady with
the fluffy yellow curls," and in his
fanciful way had named her "The
Lady Kiku,'' which signifies the Lady
Chrysanthemum. Then there was
the lady with the white cap," her
mother, whom he abhorred.
From the collections of Oriental
weapons in the hall of the home
where Fushi now found himself, he
had secretly secured short, narrow
Japanese sword, the use of which he
knew SO well, and with it concealed
beneath his overeoat, he waited at
the gate.
The tall man muff1ed in an over
coat gave glance at the house as he
passed, but paid no attention to
Fushi, who finally followed him.
At his own door the tall man
paused and glanced inquiringly at
the little figure.
What is it, Fushi?" he said.
II have come to see the colonel"
he replied.
"The colonel is honored. Enter"
AS the little Oriental gravely accept
ed the invitation, sudden hope
dawned in the breast of Col. Burton.
Have you message, Fushi?"
Fushi inclined his head and, UNI
buttoning his overcoat, presented the
short, cruel japanese sword, and with
a deep bow replied: II bring it to
you because you make the Lady Kiku
cry. You hurt her feeling vera
much and Fushimi brings you the
sword"
"Oh!" exclaimed : the colonel, in
sudden enlightenment, ''then you
think she cares, Fushi?"
The Oriental gazed at him in deep
displeasure and pointed at the
weapon.
ut is the sword of my ancestors"
he said gravely. "In my country
men know vera well how to de-"
why, Fushi, you don't mean
that I'm to kill myself? Is that for
harakari?"
Fushi nodded solemnly.
In the drawing-room of "the lady
with the white cap" the beautiful
Lady Kiku sat weeping. She was be-
ginning to doubt her suspicious
were they really her suspicious? Had
not the white-capped lady, her
mother, first suggested them and
had she not followed the suggestion
with an invitation that she leave her
husband?
Now she was expecting his lawyer
at three.
At the hour appointed the door
opened, but instead of the lawyer, a
tall figure filled the doorway.
violet, DEAR" he cried, and a
sob of joy escaped from her lips.
''Violet, will take all the blame,
but please forgive me. She was
nothing to me. How could she be
when I had you?''
When Fushi entered, the tall
colonel smiled broadly.
''Well?" he asked.
"You are coward" said Fushi.
'sNo, no." said the Lady Kiku
'We are friends again, dear, through
you"
The expression Of contempt left
Fushi's face, but, almost like an af-
terthought, he added, with an ex-
preston of scorn:
'sIn my country the men know
vera well how to die. Detroit