The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1908-06-19

said; Il will not let her in!'
| II.
And Tessan came to the little vii
lage where Mine lived, and thrilled
her heart with battle stories, and
frightened her a little with his de-
scriptions of how the Russians once
fired upon a makeshift hospital, and
how a Japanese soldier, made mad
with cruel wounds, did mock battle
with the trees. Much more she loved
to sail with her lover upon the river,
where the lilies grew, and where they
drifted into peaceful backwaters,
hidden with dropping branches that
had way of stroking the blue sky
with every breath of wind. Here all
the world seemed blotted out. She
forgot Hayano, and saw only the
handsome face of the brave Tessan.
Surely he was the bravest and most
handsome soldier in the Japanese
army!
1t was so these days passed by. In
due time the little village was CAV
| with happy marriage-the marriage
OF Tessan and Mine. The good people
of the village, poor as many of them
were, all sent their marriage offer
ings, and Mine thought she was the
happiest Of all happy women.
III.
A year went by. Mine carried a
merry baby boy upon her back. But
Mine was not merry For the last
few months Tessan had grown cold
toward her. He used to go away to
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 d.
vorce-a divorce because she did not
make rice quite as he liked it!
When the trouble came she thought
of 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
ly, she did write to Hayano, and he
replied that he would meet her.
And so it came about that on a
certain spring night Mine journeyed
up the hill, where the cherry blossom
hung like 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 bowlder, and once
she thought she would retrace her
steps. Then she caught sight of
familiar figure looking in the direc-
ton of the sea. Once more Mine
pressed YEARLY forward, nearer and
nearer to that calm form so peace
fully waiting for her coming. 1t
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.
rs that you, Hayanoo"
Yes, replied the man. II am SO
glad you have come. l have not seen
you for such long time. You are in
trouble. l could tell that by the
touch of your hands in the dark. Tell
me all about it. little one. 1t eases
heart so much to reveal sorrow
to another. does it not?"
Yes, Hayano, l think it does. lust
little" And Mine squatted down by
his side, and remained silent for a
long time
Little one, am waiting for you
70 tell me about your trouble" said
che man, gently.
And |, replied Mine, IAN wait
ms for the words to come! MY
tongue and throat are so dry tonight.
Fave patience with this long silence
of mine. l cannot speak yeti"
Il will wait" said the man. al
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?"
NO, little one. l have heard of
your marriage, that is ALL"
The baby boy cooed softly to him
self, and then laughed because he
held in h. wee hand cherry BIOS
som.
What was that sound?" said Hay
ano, hastily.
THAT was my child, my little boy.
He is very happy tonight. | don't
think it's very kind of him to be quite
so happy tonight"
Il 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. "
"Hayanol 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?s
"Oh, yes! But please tell me the
story again"
tbs a sad story; but Urashima is
very much like other men. His beau
tiful wife gave him all her love in