Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1915-04-07


to women and was constantly beset by
them. On returning to America the
crew Of the vessel in which he had
sailed from Tokyo was discharged. and
Jack concluded to pay a visit to his
birthplace on Long Island before ship
ping again.
The day he arrived at home the first
person he met was Maggie Pixley.
whose complexion of white and red
had been ripened under the sun and
sea breezes. Maggie noticed the hand
some young sailor, and there was ad-
miration in her eyes. They had known
each other as children, but had great
~ changed since Jack when a boy of
fourteen had gone to sea. But each
saw something familiar in the other
and turned at the same time for anoth-
err look.
"Aren't you Jack Haversham?'
Yes. And you are Maggie Pixleyp'
Jack turned from the way he was
going and walked Maggie's way. That
was the right way for him, because
they had been lovers as children, and
when he had parted with her years
He did not consider it necessary to say
that he had left a wife in Japan.
He walked on, chatting glibly, asking
after this person and that person. Mag
gle the while looking up into his face
through her brown eyes, revealing by
her smiles dimple in each cheek and
her white teeth.
The loves of an inconstant man are
very much the same. Jacks were as
suredly so. He fell in love as easily
as a ship will rise and fall on a gently
undulating sea. Naturally he was trou-
bled at remembering that there was a
barrier between him and Maggie in his
marriage with the geisha girl, but any
thing that interferes with what we de-
sire only renders that desire more keen.
Jack couldn't stay at home forever.
for. in the first place, he had nothing
laid up and, in the second. we all need
lovers. she knowing nothing of his
marriage till he left her to sign on
new ship; then, when she naturally
showed that she expected him to speak
his mind and intentions toward her,
not being able to do so honorably, he
made his confession.
1t was great blow to Maggie. She
did not blame him. She only regretted
the barrier that existed between them.
The parting was very sad, both declar-
ing that there was no use trying to
forget each other. They must simply
endure their mutual misfortune.
Six months after his departure Jack
found himself in Tokyo. It was not
his wish to be there. He could not
help himself since his ship went there.
He did not avail himself of permission
to go ashore for some time after his
arrival. but finally was ordered ashore
on some duty. The first man he met
was the broker who had made the
match for him with Apple Blossom.
"Ah. Mr.. Havershamv' exclaimed the
man. How you like to marry again?
find you a fine wife,"
Marry! You son of Satan, I'm mar
ried already. You know that as we'll
as l."
"You marry for six months. That
marriage has expired"
''Whatr'
"YOu no know our laws in Japan.
We have law that a man marries a
woman for some time. He pay, the
money to go to the wife's father and
mother. That all right in this country.
Do you suppose I marry a sailor for
ever?'
Great Scott!''
II marry Apple Blossom again-twice
since marry her to you"
''Say it again, you heathen!' cried
Jack, gripping the man on each shout
der and shaking him till his teeth rat
tied.
81 say it a hundred times. I show
you the contract"
"Show it-right OFF,
An investigation ensued, which con-
vinced Jack that he had made limit
ed marriage recognized by the laws Of
Japan and considered there perfectly
honorable to both parties. He secured
ried again in his native country with
out committing bigamy.
"Well, you satisfed?' asked the
broker.
Yes; am mighty well satisfied
Then get you another wife,"
mo, you won't"
Our law very fine law for sailor
man. said the broker urgently.
II dare say it is. 1t has proved the
best kind for me, but l have no fur
Their use for it,
You like to see Apple Blossom?'
NO. Why would | want to see herT'
Apple Blossom not married now ]
make new marriage for you with her
cheap"
Jack took the little man by the collar
and the seat of the breeches and threw
g. him up into cherry tree, where he
clung to the branches while his client
walked away.
On his WaV home Jack took very