Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1911-04-05

tell you what it's all about. You'll just
! have to take my word for it"
/ Have l asked you to tell me?"
No. you marvel of womanhood
You are dying of curiosity, don't
doubt. but your restraint is super
human"
| Again she looked at him keenly.
Bob, you are dying of curiosity your
self. Don't you suppose l can see"
It's something harder than curl
| osity," said Orme simply
How eager are you!" She laughed.
Now, there is plenty of time. The
trip won't take us more than half an
hour; SO come along and meet some
| friends of mine"
"Bessie-if you could hurry"
We can't start until the car comes.
I'm expecting it 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
! f1ve-minute intervals So excitingi
| 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 a
curious little laugh that was loudly
echoed by others
| Bessie broke in upon the lull that
followed. "Excellency, may present
another man who missed his dinner?"
she said saucily. Mr.. 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 I'M
mistakable.
Mr. Robert Orme," said Bessie.
Some one struck a match to light
cigar, and in the sudden light Orme
found himself looking into the face
! of the Japanese minister
II 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
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. Il will
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 it came to me through my
personal acquaintance with some of
the participants"
ooh, that will be splendid!" ex-
claimed the woman.
The minister waited for moment.
He turned his face toward Orme, and
asked politely: You will not mind
listening to what I have to say, Mr..
Orme?"
why, to be sure not" replied Orme,
wondering.
my stories are not always short"
continued the 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 a ma
ker OF vases-a-what you call him
a potter.
"One day while Kimaga was walk
ing upon the road, he saw before him
on the ground letter He picked it
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, it fas-
cinated his eyes. He decided to keep
it, making no attempt to find the right
full owner You must know that in
Nippon beatty is worship by the
humblest workman.
ut happened that the letter had
been written by a Chinese spy, and
it contained report concerning our
Notifications Now there is in Nip
pom a very secret service. 1t is not
responsible to the government. 1t is
compose of mobiles who for many and
many a generation have bound them
selves by strong oatn to do patriotic
service which the government itself
might be too embarrassed to under
take. If they are oblige to use ex-
ond no