Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-05-20

YOU TO finish, Tokoramo?' she asked
after while She had been revolving "a
plan in her mind.
About two weeks It must be finished
by the first Of the month.
A promise.
Couldn't you work lust as we'll in the
country?"
Il could not take the time to move, my
child" he replied She appeared to re-
fleet.
"Wm YOU promise me TO so away and
rest when you are finished" she asked
Yes. he answered in a curious voice
II don't mean just for few days. she
insisted Il mean good long rest"
His dark eyes were turned up to her
face for a heeting instant Then he an
swered very softly and slowly
81 shall 90 away as soon as | am fin
shed. Teri, and I hope I shall rest. At
any rate, shall 90 away for long time"
ITO Japan"
%No," he winched "Not to Japan"
Mo-" she repeated, wonderingly
Where them"
I do not know, Teri" he replied
gravely
Il see, You think complete change
will do you good?
Yes; a complete change is what
NSSs'A'-
The girl studied his face compassionately
Il think you are tired enough to sleep
now" she said Aren't you?'
Il suppose SO, he sighed without open
ing his eyes
win YOU go 10 bed if leave"
4 suppose so. he repeated
She leaned over and kissed him lightly
on the forehead and few minutes later
slid softly from the room
For several minutes after she had de-
parted, .Tokoranro sat in the arm chair
IS still as a dead man His arms hung
Imply over the sides and the hands al
most touched the floor He seemed to
have no backbone His head hung back
and over his left shoulder just as it had
dropped when the exhausted muscles re
Taxed He dozed; and was fast sinking
into the deep sleep of utter exhaustion
when he sat up with start He stared
about the room as if he had forgotten
something and could not reacall what it
was Then his eyes fell on the desk. He
eroaned. slowly worked himself to his
feet, and, supporting himself by the fur
niture on the way, moved across to his
seat at his work But instead of TAX
ing up his brush, he folded his arms on
the manuscript and rested his hot fore
head upon them until he was reused by
a sound of footsteps on the stairs. He
looked UP in time to greet Joshakawa.
After the formal salutations, Joshakawa
took seat on the edge of the divan and
sravely studied the face of the young
man.
How is the work progressing" he
asked
Tokoramo. in a dull voice. Joshakawa
frowned
1T will be finished in time, my soma
Tokoramo nodded feebly
1T will be finished by the first OF the
month" he replied.
And you? How do you feel? You look
very tired, my friend.
Il suppose / am tired. my father. re-
piled Tokoramo with his hand across his
brows-a gesture that had become more
and more frequent with him In the past
few weeks "Still, I am cheered and
strengthened by the thought of the end
so near at hand
That is right, Tokoramor exclaimed
Joshakawa, heartily. THE thought of
YOU should be enough to sustain any son
of Nippon Few of us are blessed with
your ability and your opportunity"
Tokoramo made no comment. He sat
with his head in his hands and finally
Joshakawa spoke aagin.
Il would tell you to guard your health
If could conscientiously do So he said,
gently Il am not DIR. Omayi, but I can
see that the strain of this tremendous
effort is breaking you down We, my son,
even at that cost 1t is necessary that this
effort continue The lives Of all of us
are pledged to our country whether we
fall by the bayonet or the bullet, whether
we go down on sinking ships under the
fire Of the enemy or kill ourselves with
work-it is all one and all for Nip
pom
For Nippon!" echoed Tokoramo sol
EMMY
Again there was little silence and
JoshakaWa asked with some solicita-
ton:
only Tlred-Tlred.
DO you feel i'll, my son-other than the
WEAKNESS?
No" replied Tokoramo shaking his
head slightly. 1T is only that l am tired
tired tired!
II am very glad" said the old man
Still, think DR.. Omayi had better come
every day now until the work is finished
n would he terrible TO have you break
down completely at the last moment!
Tokoramo made an inarticulate sound
that was meant TO be reassuring, but
Joshakawa rose and paced up and down
the apartment, his brows contracted with
worry.
i reproach myself. sometimes, he said
gravely. flor interfering in the matter Of
the women at the time that I did It
would have been better, perhaps for
YOUR work had you lived in error until it
was COMPLETED. The harm was done
in any case hut | could not forsee the
terrible result of opening your eyes. And
knowing your cleanness of heart, could
not bear to let you 90 on thinking as you
did about the woman
Tokoramo held out hand as # to re-
strain him
Their" he said gently You did only what
YOU should have done Do not think that