The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1911-04-13

Nov, Ghere is plenty Of time. The
trip Won't take US more than half an
hour; so come along and meet some
I friends of mine."
"Bessie-if you could hurry"
I'VE can't start until the car comes.
I'm expecting 1t any moment. So be
good, and come along. There's such
an interesting man--and very distin-
guished. We don't try to pronounce
his name. Just think, he was en-
gagged for dinner here, also, and came
too late. And ever since he arrived
he's been called to the telephone at
five-minute intervals. So exciting!
Nobody can guess what he's so busy
| about"
She threaded her way through the
lively groups on the veranda, and re-
luctantly he followed. The voice
which he had so nearly recognized
sounded closer, then stopped with
curious little laugh that was loudly
echoed by others.
Bessie broke in upon the lull that
followed. "Excellency, may I present
another man who missed his dinnerT
she said saucily. MI Orme."
The man addressed was sitting COM
fortably in a wicker chair that was
several sizes too large for him. At
the mention of Orme's name he got to
his feet with startling alacrity.
"Mr.-Orme?" His surprise was un.
mistakable.
"Mr. Robert Orme," said Bessie.
Some one struck a match to light
a cigar, and in the sudden light Orme
found himself looking into the face
of the Japanese minister.
81 think have never met you be-
fore" said the minister slowly.
Il think not" replied Orme.
He was much disquIeted by the en-
counter. Now he understood that Ari-
ma had been bound for this very
place.
If only he had refused to let Bessie
drag him into her circle! The min
lister would not have known his face,
but the mention Of his name gave full
enlightment
The minister resumed his seat, ana
a chair was brought for Orme. There
were other introductions.
A woman's voice renewed the con-
versation. "Excellency, won't you tell
us another of your very interesting
stories?"
The minister turned to her. IT VIII
tell you one" he said, that you will
not find in the literature of my coun-
try. 1t is story of the secret
service, and 1t came to me through my
personal acquaintance with some Of
the participants"
"Oh, that will be splendid!" ex-
claimed the woman.
The minister waited for a moment
He turned his face toward Orme, and
asked politely: You will not mind
listening to what l have to say, Mr..
Orme?"
why, to be sure not" replied Orme,
wondering.
MY stories are not always short"
continued tie minister, "as the others
already know. But they sometimes
hold meanings which, in my country,
at least, would be perfectly plain"
After this odd bit Of by-play, he be-
gan his narrative:
There was a man who lived in the
city Of Takamatsu, on the island of
Shikoku. His name was Kimaga, and
he was much respected by all who
knew him, for he was painstakingly
devoted to his aged and mos honor
able parents. BY trade he was ma
ker of vases-a-what you call him
potter.
"One day while Kimaga was walk
ing upon the road, he saw before him
on the ground letter. He picked 1t
up. 1t was sealed, but he discovered
upon the outside a curious writing
which he could not make out. In fact,
Kimaga could not read at all. He
was very poorly educate.
But Kimaga was charm by the
grace and beauty of the writing.
Though he could not read it, 1t fas-
cinated his eyes. He decided to keep
it, making no attempt to find the right
full owner. You must know that in
Nippon beauty Is worship by the
humblest workman.
1T happened that the letter had
been written by a Chinese spy, and
1t contained report concerning our
Notifications. Now there is in Nip
ron very secret service. 1t is not
responsible to the government. It is
compose Of mobiles who for many and
many generation have bound them
selves by strong oatn to do patriotic
service which the government itself
might be too embarrassed to under
take. II they are oblige to use ex.
treme measures, and are arrested be-
cause Of what they have done, they
calmly accept the punishment of the
law without explaining their actions.
Sons Of noble houses have been exc
cuted for assassinating secret enc
mics of Nippon, and they have met
this fate as their oath demanded.
Members of this secret service
knew about this letter of the Chinese
spy. They knew, also, that 1t had
been lost, and before long they
learned that Kimaga had picked it up.
How they learned all this does not
matter. But they also knew that the
relations between Nippon and China
at the time ~ere of such strain that
their government. not wishing to give
cause Of war. would hesitate to pun.
ish the Chinese spy.
IN the meantime Kimaga had be
come so enamor Of the letter that
he could not bear to let 1t go out OF
his possession. When he was alone
he would feast his eyes upon the
beautiful writing. But 1t was moi
long before he discovered that men
were watching him. auo he became