The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1914-04-23

aunt's chaperonage I feared neither
Mikado nor Nakodo, and | realized
this would be an excellent oppor-
tunity to see the inside Of the rulers
palace. 1t Is said he is descended
from god. signifed my willing
ness to go and was soon seated in a
rickshaw. with my military guard
painting In their efforts to keep pace
with my runner. whose heels glis-
tened In the sunshine. | had taken
the precaution to send word to the
American consul, in case this should
not be the amusing joke 1t appeared
On my arrival at the palace | was
shown into brightly lighted room,
where two Japanese maids robed me
In white silk kimono, tying about
my waist the most exquisite robe.
which costume | decided to keep. al.
though quite determined to refuse the
husband. The white veif they threw
over my head was so thick almost
smothered. but, with stolen peeps. |
saw huge white chrysanthemums
grouped like companies of soldiers
They stood tall and straight in solid
masses against the walls and formed
an aisle through which | passed down
long corridor, with my Japanese at.
tendants pattering behind me and en-.
tered another and larger room | was
glad to sink upon cushion they of.
fered me on raised platform at one
side of the room. for | was becoming
little nervous. | don't know why
my aunt didn't come and longed
with all my heart for John, who al.
ways knew what to do. A woman's
voice singing soft, sweet melody
hoated in from an adjoining room.
This is your future husband" said
the Go-Between. who, in his official
robes. looked like an animated tea
chest A woman lifted my veil and |
glanced at what had been indicated
as my husband. but 1t looked like a
bundle Of gorgeous silks on the plat
form beside me. Near by was a small
table on which were three cups of diff
ferent sizes and bottle of wine
Drink some of this" said the wo-
man, pouring out the wine. then PASS
1t to the bridegroom. After YOU drink
three Of these you will be married"
i will not" | cried, springing to
my feet. 81 am an American. viii
not be married unless | wish" The
bundle of silks wriggled up from the
floor and came toward me- attempting
10 take my hand.
GO away! | will not marry you!"
recoiled in horror He was not an
inch over four feet high His face
ne must have been eighty at least
vas like bit of parchment that had
been folded and creased and never
pressed out
You must drink the vine" said the
Go-Between, You must be married
there is law in this country which
compels woman after reaching
certain age unmarried. TO marry the
man we select You have lived here
long time. ct was not true. but I
dared not interruptD You have
iSdih anu again deferred your mar
'iage with the man in your own
country who wants you and now you
must marry this man Drink" he
commanded, holding the cup to my
Ups.
Il will mott" ! shrieked and dashed
he cup from his hand, and as it fell
70 the floor smashed to atoms. there
was loud knock at the door.
Helen. Helen! What on earth is
the NATTER" demanded my aunt,
shaking me by the arm. you must
have had terrible Dream"
| arose from the couch relieved, but
foolish. | picked up the book on Jap
anese customs had been reading.
John is in the library. and he
seems quite amenable to my reason
'ng," said my aunt.
| went down to the library. John
and | will be married in June and we
are going to Japan to defy the Mi
kado and the Imperial Nakodo
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