The San Francisco call., 1913-08-03

and thus denied though suddenly she remem-
bered her fate always to be denied She
dropped my hand ~and go with smile had
not gone mile, though, before sudden pang of
regret reined me up, there middle of shaking
qua gmire-and 1 almost turned back. But l didn't.
cursed myself for fool and went on should have
gone back.
Three weeks later I again in Manila and told
story BY which I seemed to earn stranss disap-
probation for following the telling he did not speak
for three days. And then. month iater' we
heard that she dead.
The news came to us first as way. then
another again in another, always imprecise but
leaving no doubt of the hard that she dead
gave details did tell how she had died
but knew, the three of we knew OF loneli-
ness severity. starved of tinkngs and sounds OF
inrth desolation in that miserable pueblo of
the Cagayan beneath the heavy mournfulness of the
rains. the thought had strong effect on me
strong almost it had Strang. For unreason-
ably but irresistibly in spite of my best efforts be-
possessed of absurd but fixed idea: that If
had stayed gone back, had yielded to the
cling of her hands returned to the memory of
her pleading eyes, then she would not have died
gloomy. and Hart was angry I'm
going move. he announced; you people get on my
nerves. This place is like sepucher. And all this
black fuss girl who tinkled banjo and wore
ribbons. Why, she's doubt somewhere now. her
little the strings. tinkling away most
happily. and laughing at two dark sentlmentalsts
shedding down nere"
you're right" said strang going the piano
piece oot) striking the loosened wires In
q crashing false chord
But it was Hart who looked worried when he came
the next evening. He the door of the big
me with one finger, met him in the hall.
He's here. downstairs he whispered "He.
Right away 1 who The husband; the
husband the girl Good Lordr' said
Hes leaving States" Hart continued "He
got in this morning. 1 found him wandering on the
Escolta; ne's hard hit. We'd better take him in for
night. His ship leaves in the morning
Surely said And them Wait I'll ask Strang."
"Of course" said Strang. though surprised that
night"
told Hart Hart went downstairs. And after
while the door and He walked in
lie walked in and stopped At first
glance that he hard hit. He stood
there, uncertain and then noticed that he held
something in his arms Awkwardly. like father
ing child. he held in his a box,
and scratched box, like small cofinthe banjo!
Right away acted like fools. We stared we
could detach eyes the box. He stood
there near the door. which still behind him.
and. very bowed. held the box awkwardly
Strang and /. standing on the other side of the
room looked at the box without gesture. without
word.
"sit down. sit down." at length said Hart from be-
hind
But he had noted our looks our hypnotzed stares
ITS BANJO he said slipping Imply
placed behind him. and placing the box carefully
Her banjo"
We continued staring the little scratched box,
staring at ghost: and waited with unconscious
and grewsome curiosity for what he should say
She wanted to play, and didn't let her. he began
as if compelled "She wanted play it that ngat.
wouldn't let her. 1t solemn things
She wanted aas to play Te a It sioaa aa looking
at the box, with vision in our ewes The
vision of that" night in the
of the Cagayan We could her, there against the
white pillow. begging for the banjo for last bit of
She wanted play, didn't let her." he began
again-evidently his mind was unhinged. Didn't let
her.. he repeated And do you think it right
he turned the sunken question OF his upon US
do think it right-that not let her."
Strang had moved forward step; suddenly his
voice rang out very low and resonant, like bell
1T solemn moment" began began ' again the wreck
a e srs IKE
And before we could he Ieaped interven-
ing space and at the others j.roat
Inc cnalr went backward with that
tne blood tingllng through
Strang. He had the missionary down and, with his
lessly - 1-
We got him He n the GEN.
Ter OF the ROOM raised his elbow his IL
off uncertainty bedroom. raised the mis-
sonary. Hart and /, and Hart hustled him out
looked into Strangs before following. He was
stretched face down his cot and his whole big
frame was rising and falling in convulsive sobs.
We walked Hart and /. the missionary up and
down the Luneta Beach, by the phosphorescent waves
beneath the stars till he was calmed, till we were
dark and still. The missionary slept in my room and
at dawn we took him to his shi and him depart
with the banjo.
When messroom for breakfast
Strang was sitting in his place waiting for u.s. He
was clean shaven had Immaculate white
In his manner there nothing remind Of the
scene OF the night There never has been since.