Mansfield mirror., 1914-02-12

happen TO you. Tve always told you
so," and she seemed somewhat con.
soied at the fulfillment Of one OF her
many dire prophecies.
Don't be foolish. Auntie. It's .
joke | met Carolyn Warrington this
morning and she has lived here for
Ave years. Her husband is an at
tache OF the American legation. She
said something OF this kind to me.
You know she was always q joker
The Go-Between shook his head sol
emnly. 1t is not what you call the
joke, madam. | am ordered by the
Emperor to bring you at once! imme-
diately! forthwith" The exclama'
tions were like shots, The Mikado's
soldiers!" waving his hand impress
sively toward the door and six little
brown men in the uniform OF the I'm
perial Guard tripped into the room
and stood at attention. They would
have delighted small American boy
could he find them in his stocking
some Christmas morning. My aunt
had wholesome respect for the mill
tary OF all nations, and by this time
she was thoroughly alarmed.
Perhaps you would better CO." she
murmured. | had passed successfully
through several seasons under my
aunt's chaperonage. 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 a god. signified 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 l was
shown into brightly lighted room.
where two Japanese maids robed me
in a 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 veil they threw
over my head was so thick l 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 a raised platform at one
side Of the room. for / was becoming
little nervous. l 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 a soft, sweet melody
foated 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 I
glanced at what had been indicated
rs my husband. but It looked like a
bundle of gorgeous silks on the plat
form beside me. Near by was small
table on which were three cups OF diff.
ferent sizes and a bottle Of wine.
Drink some Of this" said the wo-
man, pouring out the wine, then pass
it to the bridegroom. After you drink
three of these you will be married"
Il will not" l cried, springing to
my feet. Il am an American. I win
not be married unless l wish" The
bundle Of silks wriggled up from the
floor and came toward me, attempting
to take my hand.
60 away! will not marry you!"
I recoiled in horror. He was not an
inch over four feet high. His face
he must have been eighty at least
was like bit OF parchment that had
been folded and creased and never
pressed out.
You must drink the wine," said the
Go-Between. You must be married
There is a law In this country which
compels a woman after reaching q
certain age unmarried. to marry the
man we select. You have lived here
long time. ut was not true, but
dared not interrupt) You have
again and again deferred your mar.
riage with the man in Jour own
country who wants you. and now you
must marry this man. Drink" he
commanded, holding the cup to my
lips.
81 will mott" shrieked and dashed
the cup from his hand, and as 1t fell
to the floor smashed to atoms there
was loud knock at the door.
Helen, Helen! What on earth IL
the matter" demanded my aunt
shaking me by the arm. you must
have had a terrible dream!"
arose from the couch relieved. but
foolish. picked up the book on Jap.
anese customs l had been reading.
John Is in the library, and he
seems quite amenable to my reason
Ing" 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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