Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-05-20
BY ]. w. M'CoNAUGHY.
Copyright, 1912, by The New York Even
ing Journal Publishing Company

after a while. She had been revolving
plan in her mind.
about two weeks. 1t must be finished
by the first of the MONTH
A Promise.
Couldn't you work just as we'll in the
country"
81 could not take the time to move. my
child" he replied She appeared to re-
feet
will YOU promise me to go away and
rest when you are inished?" she asked
Yes" he answered in a curious voice.
81 don't mean just for few days" she
insisted. Il mean a good long rest"
His dark eyes were turned up 10 her
face for feeting instant. Then he an
swered very softly and slowly.
az shall 90 away as soon as am fin
shed, Teri, and I hope shall rest At
any rate, shall go away for long time"
ITO Japan"
NO" he winched. Not to Japan
Mo-" she repeated, wonderingy
Where, them"
Il do not know, Teri he replied
gravely
Il see! You think a complete change
will do you good?'
Yes; a complete change is what
want" And he closed his eyes again
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
"Will you go to bed if leave?"
Il suppose so, he repeated.
She leaned over and kissed him lightly
on the forehead and a few minutes later
slid softly from the room.
Fer several minutes after she had de-
parted. Tokoramo sat in the arm chair
as 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 1t 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 a 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
groaned, slowly worked himself to mis-
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
gravely studied the face of the young
man
How is the work progressing" he
asked
AS well as could be expected replied
Tokoramo, in a dull voice. Joshakawa
frowned
III viii he finished in time, my SOM"
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. "StiH, l am cheered and
strengthened by the thought of the end
SO near a hand
THAT is right, Tokoramo," exclaimed
Ioshakawa, 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
"a would tell you to guard your health
f | could conscentiously do So he said
gently. I am not DR.. Omayi, but | can
see that the strain of this tremendous
effort is breaking you down. Ye, my son.
even at that cost it 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 If the enemy or kill ourselves with
work-it is all one and all for Nip
pom
For Nippon" echoed Tokoramo sol
emnly
Joshakawa asked with some solicita
ton:
Only Tlred--Tired.
DO YOU feel ill, my son-other than the
veariness
No" replied Tokoramo. shaking his
head slightly. 1T is only that l am tired
-tired-tired,"
81 am very glad said the old man
still, | think Dr. Omay had better come
every day now until the work is finished
II would be terrible to have you break
down completely at the last moment"
Tokoramo made an inarticuIate sound
that was meant to be reassuring, but
Joshakawa rose and paced UP and down
the apartment, his broWs contracted with
worry
II reproach myself, sometimes he said
gravely. for interfering in the matter OF
the women at the time that ! did. 1t
would have been better. perhaps. for
your work had you lived in error until it
was completed The harm was done
in any case. but ] could not forsee the
terrible result of opening your eyes. And
knowing your cleanness of heart, | could
not bear to let you go on thinking as you
did about the woman
Tokoramo held out a hand as if to re-
strain him.
You are unjust to yourself, my ia
Their" he said gently. You did only what
Won should have done Do not think that