The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1908-07-03

Hayano and Mine sat together on
a little hill on the outskirts of a
small Japanese village.
1t was springtime. q Cherry bios
SONS foated above them in big white
clouds, with just a. faint suggestion of
pink, as If sunset were dreaming a
far away dream in it's petals. The stars
were beginning to twinkle in the vio-
let robed sky, and the sound Of laugh
ter came and went in the gentle
breeze, mingled with the tremulous
note of a temple bell.
eHow very beautiful it is" said
Mine. II wonder why the spring
taps at my heart and calls and beck
ons, and bids me sing and clap my
hands and rejoice. / think the very
gods creep across the sky tonight, a
great company looking down at the
cherry blossoms. See, the movement
of their robes almost blows out the
stars, and some of them seem to
change into, roses and violets. 4"
Hayano laughed softly and ga
ressed her arm; then he let it fall
gently upon the silk flowers of her
kimono.
Il have fancy" said Hayano,
solemnly, that my little one must be
in love this springtime. Benten San
tries so hard to make people fall in
love with each other at the coming
of spring"
y docs she?" replied Mine, making
the dimples come and go in her
cheeks. II wish I could fall in love
with you, Hayano; but you are so
honorably ugly, and your heart is so
full of learned books, that can only
come to you as friend
Il have often pictured you as an
old ascetic, sitting under an Indian
sun, with birds making their nests in
your hair, while you squirt and
squint in the effort to always keep in
view the end of your nose. Does it
not seem funny that Nirvana is to be
found at the very end of our noses?"
Mine laughed merrily, and broad,
good natured smile played round Hay
amos mouth.
did ever tell you about Tessan?"
continued Mine. Yes, l thought so.
He went out to do battle with the
Russians, the shining Sun against
such grisly, covetous Bear! A few
days ago 1 had a letter from Tessan
telling me he was on his way to
Japan-and, friend Hayano, he want
ed me to become his wife. /"
did he?" replied Hayano, hiding
his feelings as he looked at the dis
tant sea with a pathway of moonlight
streaming away to the horizon. Il
wish you both all happiness"
Mine looked at him for some time.
Perhaps this school teacher, this son
OF charcoal burner, this man, whose
outlook on life seemed so quiet and
cold, felt the tapping of springtime
just little, too.
E@Life, said Hayano softly, ere
minds me of that pine tree over there.
With its thousands and thousands of
needles it is weaving a great picture
from the stars. And the stars go out
sometimes, and the pine trees fall,
and so the great white pictures are
broken; but life goes on just the
game!" VI
%You are sad tonight, Hayano.
Let's talk about soldiers, about bat
tlefelds and brave deeds. oh, there
is music in the lannon's roar. love
soldiers, Hayano!"
"Yes, yes, of course you dol" said
Hayano. "And you love Tessan. do
you not?"
Il think 1 do, replied Mine. who
seemed more like child than q
woman just then. Il shall always
want you as my friend. You will all
ways be my friend, Hayano, win YOU
not?g
Always, :" replied the man. re y.
~And when | am in trouble, con
tinued Mine, you win come to this
same spot, here, underneath these
cherry trees?" ,s
Eyes" answered the man.
@Tell me, said Mine, is there any
love in your heart for me?~ ~
Little one, replied Hayano, soft
1y, ~does the sea always rush up upon
the shore and make the stones dance?
No. not aIway Sometimes 1t Is
tssUgak1.
y. -. 4.