Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1914-12-12

so glad lou came, she told MN.
1--WE been hoping that you would
ever since you said good-by. Shall
we sit here or go into the garden ?"
81 wanted to come" said Gafford
as he bowed above her hand, land so
| found a way. | am a creature of
the out-of-doors so suppose we say
the garden"
Come" invited Shiela, and led
the way.
In the garden of the Hotel Nippon
the artistry of japanese gardening
has reached a climax nowhere ex-
celled. There miniature islands,
reached by miniature bridges, battle
in miniature lakes. Dwarf pines
make forests on tiny mountains.
Carved pagodas of stone mirror
their inverted images in the waters
of the lakes. At night soft lanterns
glow like fairy marsh-lights among
the foliage, where carved benches
invite one to rest and dream. Water
lilies, yellow and white, and laven-
der and pink, slumber amid their
floating pads. Gold fish flash in
crimson dartings through transpar-
ent pools. The ripple of miniature
waterfalls tinkle through the night,
with a soothing of weary nerves.
Shiela led Gafford into this cool
REALM AAture, and babe him take
sea- II side on a bench beside
she,i began ahoa as she She ar T.
waiH 10 explain more fully about
this afternoon. realize that my
American independence and my love
of adventure placed me in a position
from which, save for your assist
ance, might never have escaped.
| want to assure you that | have
learned a lesson, and to thank you
again for saving me-" She paused,
and Gafford could see in the light
of a lantern that her lips were quiv-
ering.
Don't speak any more of it, Miss
McRae," he hastenod to answer. ut
is past"
"But ] want you to know how
felt this afternoon" she persisted.
Il want to make a personal defense
of my ignorance. | had heard Of
geishas, of course, but | didn't know
what they were, only in a dim way.
| never dreamed Well, the truth.
| hardly knew what to do when we
entered that place and Yamata
called that almost naked woman to
our table and told her to play. !
wanted to leave, and had about
made up my mind to try it. was
suddenly afraid. The truth is was
dreadfully scared until you came to
my rescue. Will you tell me just
what Yamata said to the girl who
took his order?"
What does it matter?" Gafford
questioned.
81 want to know" said Shiela; "to
realize what might have BEEN"
"He told the girl to drug your tea
and have "a rickshaw ready in the
alley at the back of the tea house,"
Gatford yielded.
With an impulsive movement she
laid her hand on his arm. a" have
much to thank you for, my friend,
she said.
"Just how did you come to meet
the little beggar?". Gafford ques
toned in turn.
1T was night before last" replied
Shiela. HE came up TO father in
the hotel and called him by name.
1t seems he is interested in several
enterprises in and around San Fran
about conditions there. Father
agreed to meet him after ne returned
from Tokyo"
You're father is out of the city ?"
Gafford took her up.
She laughed slightly. Il shouldn't
have said that, really" she returned.
Father is really on a diplomatic
mission, and supposed to be incog-
nito. My remark was slip Of the
tongue. That was in part responsible
for my adventure of today, however.
was lonesome and tired Of the
hotel, and | went out to see what ]
could of the town. | was fortunate
in finding Lieutenant Gafford, !
think"
A stifeu gasp at her shoulder told
her that her shot had gone home.
Her companions face seemed white
in the glow of the lantern DIS she
turned her eyes. Compunction seized
her at the effect of her words. She
put out her hand.
chN 49,
Please had to speak, know
your { ther-"
"Dad?" stammered Gafford hoa-se-
ly, and forced a smile to his lips.
"Are you sure you are making no
mistake. Miss McRae? ?"
81 hardly think So" she responded
slowly. "The man know had one
soma Lieutenant Edward Gafford.
We know lie disappeared in the East.
Then there is your name-Gafford-
and you speak and look like an Am
erican."
There are other Gaffords than
one" he resisted.
"Of course" she nodded 81 know
that, but ] yas certain Of my sus-
picion this afternoon when you de-
MED your country"
Gafford's face twitched in ner-
vous spasm. Denied my country?
Why not?" he cried out almost
roughly. What is my country TO
me or ] to it? My country cast me
off long years ago. /" He paused
as he saw the confession involved
in his words.
The Girl turned toward hin, on the