Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-02-12

to the foot-bridgc Near It's entrance
small stand had been placed and on it was
a photograph, its ungsinly trumpet point
ing down toward the stretch Of lawn A
heavy red-bearded man. in warm frock-
coat a white waistcoat and a silk hat
pushed far back on his head, was laborins
over this. and a plump lady stood nearby,
tanning her beaming face with a pocket
handkerchief.
They were Barbara's steamship acquain-
tances. and they greeted her heartily.
Good afternoon" said the husband.
You can't guess what me and Martha are
up to, can you?"
The samisen concert tonight?" she haz-
arded.
Right" he said. First crack out Of
the box, too. I'm going Is take a record OF
it, lie tapped the cylinder. "This is a
composition of my own. ] leave IL out here
all night to harden and then l give it a
three days acid bath that makes It as hard
as steel. Itll last for ever. Now what do
you suppose I'm going TO do with the
record? I'm goiu Eto give it to YOU"
The lady beside him nodded and smiled
Hes been planning # ,ver since he heard
YOU say one day that you liked samisen
music" she said.
You See" he went on with a laugh
81 haven't forgotten a line Of talk your
urcie gave me my first day in Japland
1t did me a lot OF good. ! guess what
he doesn't know about it isn't worth toll
ing he added with glance at Ware.
lie is an authority, Of course" said
Ware.
oven, I'm an authority too-on phono-
graphs. And if you'd accept this, Miss
Fairfax"
Il shall be delighted" said Barbara
warmly. Il shall value 1t very, very
highly"
She smiled back at them over her
shoulder The frank honest kindness OF
the couple pleased her.
The piazza opened into a small sitting
room with cool bamboo chairs and por-
there's of thin green silk stcnciled with
maple leaves.
"Will you wait moment, Barbara;
asked Ware. Il have something to show
you"
She stopped, looking at him with a trace
Of confusion. Certainly" she answered
What is it?"
He put a folded paper into her hands
To-day is the anniversary Of our meeting d"
She tool, it with a puzzled look and
scrutinized it, Wonder filled her face. You
have made over your yacht to met she
cried.
MY engagement gift" he said. she is
your namesake; want her to be yours"
a flush crept over her checks She knew
the yacht was his favorite possession and
the action touched her. At the same time
crete way, a numbing reminder of the
imminence of her marriage.
The deed has been recorded" he went
on, "and the sailing-master and crew have
signed articles under the new owner. Per-
haps you will let me come aboard Of her
to hear that samisen record" he added
whlmsically. There's a phonogrsph in
her outfit"
She smiled, little TREMENDOUSLY. you are
most kind, Austen" she said. IL don t
know what to say"
Then say nothing" he answered cheer
fully. He stepped to the door and drew
aside the portiere. She was agitated, feel
Ing unable to meet the situation in the
conventional way. At the threshold she
paused and held out her hand.
lie bent and kissed IT, She half-hesi-
tated but in the pause there was a laugh
ing voice and a footstep in the hall.
ITS Patsy" she said, and passed quickly
out.
As Ware walked back across the foot
bridge the proprietor Of the monograph
called to him.
81 clean forgot to ask the young lady
where to send this record" he said. DO
you know her address,"
1T will be more or less uncertain, l
fancy" said Ware. But her yacht is in
Yokohama harbor It is named the Bar
bara You might send it there"