The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-06-08
TIE EVENING STORY
Moon Lotus.
(By Jean Dickerson.)


| lage near Toxic. Russell Lane had I'M
| successfully tried to put some of its
beauties on canvas, but the occidental
brush is too heavy to do justice to the
delicate airiness of Nipponese scenery.
i've tried water colors ard crayoil
l'and pen and ink-and 1 can't do a
thing with it, he growled at his host
who was watching him from tthe We
randa. With a quick stroke he paint
ed out his work and tossed down the
brushes.
Lucius White smiled wisely. Be
cause you're not Nipponese," he said.
Give a native artist a piece of parch-
ment and with splash of water col
or; or dab of India INK, he would
reproduce my garden so that you could
hear the leaves rustling on the null
berry tree
Il believe it because you are a mis-
sionary and you ought to speak the
truth" replied Russell, looking envi-
ously about the miniature garden
where art had so assisted nature that
the diversified landscape of a great es-
tate had been compressed within the
confines of the half-acre that belonged
to the missionary house.
On a dwarfed scale there was a
sweep of turf, tinkling streams SPAWNED
by fairy bridges. Stunted trees, beds
of flowers pavilions and teahouses,
sraveled walks, and in the center, be-
meath a circle of willow trees, there
was large lake whose surface was
almost covered with lotus leaves.
TRY again" encouraged Mr.. White.
Come out tonight when the moon
lotus blooms and paint the garden by
moonlight
Russell shook his head NO" he
said regretfully. IF 1 cannot paint
your garden when the sun shines on
it | am sure that / could not do it
when it is bathed in moonlight. Sano-
koga tempts me so sorely that 1 shall
&C away"
AT least you will defer your DEPART
uro until you have seen my lotus pond
in full bloom" protested the mission
cry.
When is that to be ?"
1T should be in bloom tonight when
the moon is full. Then the pink buds
will unfold under the cold gaz. of Luna.
only to close again when she SETS 1t
is rare sight in the season.
Il will stay" answered Russell. put
ting away his painting things
Good" cried Mr.. White, rousing
himself. Let us ask Mile to give
us bunch of rice cakes and fruit
and we will ride out to Sunset Hill
and l believe I can promise YOU a
brlef glimpse of the top of Full
yama''
1t vas after sunset when they re-
turned from the rfcksha ride. and
they sat down ito talk by the light
OF a very American oil lamp.
Mrs: White announced that a mes
sage from sick servant would sum-
mon then to the other end of the vii
lage.
81 am so sorry. Lucius. because the
moon iotus will bloom tonight" she
added.
7 have promised Russell a rare
sight if he will neutrality-suspicious. we
will retul n in time
Don't disturb yourselves on my ac-
d.,
will watch the phenomenon myself"
Lool- out that you are not shared
by the witchery Of the moon lotus
spirit" teased Mr.. White.
An, here is a legend connected
Whatever maid or bachelor watch
es the oHcning of the moon lotus viii
see revealed the future
Fate implying future life partner ?''
laughed Russell.
"Of course
Although I am an avowed bachelor,
l viii put it to proof this very night
Am I assured of having the lotus lake
to myself, or must / share the gift of
the gods with one of your servants? %
oh, 10! There is a lantern festival
there
GOOD, BY the time you return 4
shall no ,onger be heart-free.''
Russell Lane waved his friends
goodby as they rolled away in their
'r1ckshaS and made his way back to
the garGen veranda where he could
look down at the little lake lying a
few yards beyond.
The full moon was just showing
above the tops of some black and rag
ged ceI2rs on a distant hill, and it
would be some time before its silvery
rays touched the surface of the lake
to awaken into life the closed buds of
the moon lotus.
There was the chirrup of countless
insects in the garden grasses, the cry
OF an o%i, the slip-Slipping of straw
feet on the matted floors
within az the servants went to and |
FRO. After while those sounds died
away In burst of happy laughter |
from the kitchen entrance and disap-
peared Gown a hedged lane. |
The moon rose rapidly Russell |
strolled down to the shore of the lake
and threw himself on a white marble |
bench In his white clothes he be-
came part of the snowy bench.
The magic of thu moon lotus was |
working
There came a whispering rustic as |
of the opening of hundreds of flower /
petals. but he derided the fancy. With |
one idle hand he could have touched |
the nearest lotus had he wished
The neon flooded the lake, and even |
as he g1zed the dark patches of leaves
and buds stirred and almost imper-
ceptibly their appearance changed. |
Where all had been darkness was now
a field OF pink bloom and there was a Il
heavily sweet fragrance on the air
At that moment Russell Lane declared
he would believe anything he saw-and
yet. almost instantly, his credulity was /
strained to its utmost.
There came soft sigh near at hand.
His eyes shifted from the lake to the /
bank beside the bench.
A girl was standing there, half poised Il
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