The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1911-05-10

tell you what It's an about. You'll Just
have to take my word for II"
slave I asked you to tell mef"
NO. you marvel Of womanhood.
You are dying Of curiosity. I don't
doubt, but your restraint u super
human"
Again she looked at him keenly.
Bob. you are dying Of curiosity your
self. Don't you suppose can see?
ITS something harder than curl
osity." said Orme amply.
How eager are you!" She laughed.
Nov. there 10 plenty Of time. The
trip won't take ~ more than half an
hour: 50 come along and meet some
friends Of mine"
"Bessie-f you could hurry"
I'VE 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
ive-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 a
curious little laugh that was loudly
echoed by others.
Bessie broke in upon the lull that
followed. "Excellency. may l present
another man who missed his dinner?"
she said saucily. Mr.. Orme."
The man addressed was sitting COM
fortably in q 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 . match to light
a cigar. and in the sudden light Orme
found himself looking into the face
Of the japanese minister.
Il think I have never met you b.
FORE" said the minister slowly.
Il think not" replied Orme.
He was much disQuieted by tho en-
counter. Now he understood that Ari-
ma had been bound for this very
place.
II 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
q 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. II will
tell you one." he said. that you will
not find in the literature Of my coun-
try. It is story Of the secret
service. and it came to me through my
pcISOudI acquaintance SOAAO 20
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 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 cou1try.
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
Sh!koku. 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 ms-
ker of vases-a-what you call him
a potter.
"Oue day whik Kimaga was walk
ing upon the road. he saw before him
on the ground a letter. He picked It
up. It was sealed. but he discovered
upon the outside q curious writing
which he could not make out. In fact,
Kimaea 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 II, 1t fas-
cinated hia 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
it contained q report concerning our
Notifications. Now there is in Nip
pom a very secret service. It is not
responsible to the government. 1t is
compose of mobiles who for many and
many q generation have bound them
selves by q strong oatn to do patriotic
service which the government itself
might be too embarrassed to under
take. II they are oblige to use ex-
IRENE 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