The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1908-06-18

Toxic and remain there for several
days. At last Mine knew why he
went to Toxic, and the knowledge
went deep down into her heart. and
left it aching and sore and very lone
ly. Once when Tessan returned to
her, he said that, as he did not want
her any more, he had obtained a di-
vorce-a divorce because she did not
make rice quite as he liked it!
When the trouble came she thought
or Hayano-Hayano, the good but
neglected friend of hers. Many times
she contemplated asking him TO meet
her on the little hill, and Just as
often she tried to Danish the thought
from her mind. Why should she
trouble him now? And yet, eventual
iy, she did write to Hayano, and he
replied that he would meet her.
And so it came about that on
certain spring night Mine journeyed
up the hill, where the cherry blossom
hung like a beautiful pink-white
cloud. Her baby boy laughed at the
moonlight. Mine wished that he
would not laugh quite so much now!
How steep the hill seemed tonight.
and how long the way, She rested
many times on a bowlder, and once
she thought she would retrace her
steps. Then she caught sight of a
familiar figure looking in the direc-
tlon or the sea. Once more Mine
pressed wearily forward, nearer and
nearer to that calm form so peace
fully waiting for her coming. It
seemed to Mine that Peace sat under
the cherry blossom, and she wanted
Peace tonight.
Just as the little mother reached
her destination a cloud covered the
moon. She put out her hands eagerly
and touched the silent form.
Us that you, Hayano?"
Yes" replied the man. az am so
glad you have come. 1 have not seen
you for such a long time. You are in
trouble. 1 could tell that by the
touch of your hands in the dark. Tell
me all about it. little one. 1t eases
a heart so much to reveal a sorrow
to another, does it not?"
Yes, Hayano, 1 think it does, lust
little" And Mine squatted down by
his side, and remained silent for a
long time.
Little one, I am waiting for you
to tell me about your trouble" said
the man, gently.
And l." replied Mine, lam wait
ing for the words to come. MY
tongue and throat are so dry tonight.
Have patience with this long silence
OF mine. I cannot speak yeti"
Il will wait" said the man. II
know what that silence means, too!"
Mine pressed his fingers very tight
ly in her own for answer.
Dear HayanO, have you heard any
thing about me of late?"
mo, little one. 1 have heard of
your marriage, that is all"
The baby boy cooed softly to him
self, and then laughed because he
held in h:s wee hand a cherry bios
som.
What was that sound?" said Hay
ano, hastily.
That was my child, my little boy
He is very happy tonight l don't
think it's very kind Of him to be quite
so happy tonight"
"I am so glad yo-: have a little
child" said the man, eagerly. Some
day shall be able to teach him, glad
in the thought that he is your child"
"Hayano! Don't talk like that!
1t hurts me.
Listen. Have you heard of the
fisherboy, Urashima, how he married
the beautiful daughter of the Sea
God?"
"Oh, yes! But please tell me the
story again"
'Tis sad story; but Urashima is
very much like other men. His beau
tiful wife gave him all her love in
that great palace under the singing
sea, where there were wonderful Jew
els, red and blue and green. But
presently Urashima grew restless. He
wanted to so away and see the world
again. His wife gave him a box and
told him never to open it. But when
Urashima had seen the world he
opened the box. A wonderful cloud
came out and sailed away into the
blue and vanished. And Urashima
became a very, very old man and
never went back to the palace of the
sea again"
Mine paused, and then continued:
"Hayano, If womans heart is big
with love it cannot hold man for
long. Like Urashima. he goes away,
and never comes back again. He
opens the box of the woman he once
loved and scatters the sacred treasure
to the four winds. Tessan was like
that. And now he has put me away.
But 1t is better so. Watching his
GOODNESS grow, day by day, was terri
bic, terrshHl I wish the spring had
u - So,