Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1913-09-30
KeShiOnO'S
Garden
"It Must Be Fate"
By CLARlSSA MACKE

IuG CuElO ScLcI W hO p4So Nv SaS ~.SSS
Ing of the Two Roads in Tokyo grin
ned amiably up into Terry Prestons
sunburned face.
"If the honorable lord desires to see
delightful flowers it would be much rec
commended that he pay call visit upon
the garden Of Keshiono."
"Where is this wonderful garden"
inquired Terry. to whom all parts OF
Tokyo were alike. to whom all the
: world was fat and stale and uninterest-
ing now that Dulcie Morse had Tilted
him and married Oscar Converse.
The man pointed along the upper
road.
III the honorable lord will follow
that road until he comes to a red gate
in the bamboo hedge he will find be-
yond the gate a path that will lead
him straight to the garden. Many
J have found happiness there" he add
ed. with a sly glance at Terry's moody
face.
] "Happtnessg" jeered Terry. pray.
} tell me how happiness may be found
in garden"
Happiness" unused the curio deal
er. tanning himself gently. Consists
in being with those we love-in the
case Of a lover. with the particular
beloved one. Phe story goes that
many centuries ago beautiful maiden
!, named Keshiono lost her lover through
quarrel, and to console herself she
made this beautiful flower gurden.
The gods pitied her and sent her lover
wandering into the garden. and when
he saw Keshiono fitting among the
iris beds he fell on his knees and beg
ged forgiveness. They were married
and lived long and happily in house
which has long crumbled to ruin
When they died they were changed
into two beautiful plum trees that
guard the inner gate. Ever since then
the garden has been noted for bringing
happiness to disconsolate lovers. One
has only to wander there"
Terry grinned in spite Of himself ut
the mans fuency. "You have told the
story many tines?" he questioned as
he moved away.
"And have witnessed the desired to
be end" came back the answer prompt
ly, and he deftly caught the coin that
came spinning toward him from Ter
ry's hand.
| A laughing red haired youth came
swiftly from the upper road and paus-
ed by the curio sellers booth.
you're cheerful liar!" he declared
THE garden is only for the discon-
solate lover" chided the curio dealer
sedately as he pocketed his accuser's
liberal tip 1.-THE honorable lord Is too
insanely cheerful to be in need OF the
pity of the gods"
.Thanks l suppose that's compli-
ment," grinned the other as he went
on to catch q trolley car. But you
get US coming or going. eh, TogoT
Excuse Name is not Togo. but Is
Yunisho. Good day. honorable sir.
Get them coming or going That
sounds funny English" he mused
Terry Preston sauntered along the
upper road under the arching trees.
The shaded footpath rambled beside a
high hedge of bamboos, whose green
feathery tops rustled pleasantly In the
light breeze.
Now a we'll defined path wandered
idly between green hedges until be
reached q second gate that swung wide
open. On either side Of this gate was
a beautiful plum tree, fresh in its May
bloom of pink and white. These trees
represented the beautiful Keshiono
and her loving husband.
Terry involuntarily removed his
straw hat as be passed under the trees.
and he blushed little at the surren-
der to sentiment that the little act Inn
Piled.
"Boshw he muttered.
Beyond the gate he found the gar
den. a charming mixture Of old and
new. There were ancient corners
where dark cryptomerias made dim
green shade Here one came upon
stone lanterns green with years and
perhaps a summer house crushed In
the deathlike grip Of a giant wistaria
vine that might be century old. 30
hoary was its trunk.
Birds sang in the trees. and the wa
terfalls tinkitd musically. 1t was very
beautiful and deliciously still.
Terry found an old stone seat half
hidden in a group Of lovely oleanders
in the older part OF the garden Sure
ly this spot must have been the gar
den Of Keshiono ns 1t was in the old
days.
women's voices broke the quiet
"Dear Aunt Ophella." said the girls
sweet tones. "is 1t not perfectly won
derful1"
ut Is. II is hardly to be believed,
May" responded the older woman
eagerly. But look: see If that Is not
the colonel yonder!. See, he Is look
ing at the goldfish In the pool! Mark
the sad droop to his shoulders In spite
Of his military trimming. All. but do
regret my cruelty 10 him." she sighed
Terry got up. He was feeling very
uncomfortable now. but before he
could make his presence known the
girl had spoken quickly. decisively:
"Now. Aunt Ophelia. you know this
is the garden of reunited lovers. and
who knows what may happen7 You
look sweet, dear; indeed, you do! Now
lust walk along this lain and you are
sure to meet the colonel, and you have
my blessing. He's ii perfect dear"
She laughed as her aunt moved ma5eo-
tically away in the direction OF the
stout white clad gentleman gazing
into a fish pool in a distant part OF the
grounds.
i The girl came laughing out Of the
sunlight and flung herself in corner
of the stone seat. which sat IN deep
shadow.
She uttered startled cry as she saw
Terry Preston standing there, sunburn-
ed and embarrassed, In his gray tweed
clothes, with his straw hat in his hand.
"Ah, didn't know any one was
here" she cried breathlessly.
Il was about to CO." murmured
Terry, with a reluctant glance at the
stone seat.
"Pray do not let me drive you away.
shall go on presently" The girl set
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