The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-04-01


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 be 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
y changed since Jack when a boy OF
fourteen had gone to sea. But each
saw something familiar In the other
and turned nc the same time for anoth-
er look.
Aren't you Jack Havershamf'
Yes. And you are Maggie Pixley!'
Jack turned from the way be was
going and walked Maggie's way. That
was the right way for him. because
they had been lovers rs children. and
when be had parted with her years
ago he had sworn TO be true to her.
He did not consider II necessary to say
that he had left a wife IA 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 a dimple In each cheek and
her white teeth.
The loves OF an inconstant man are
snt. h.
suredly SO. He fell IN love as easily
as 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
occupation. He and Maggie became
lovers. she knowing nothing Of his
marriage till he left her to sign on a
new ship: then. when she naturally
showed that she expected him to speak
his mind and intentions toward her
not being able to do 80 honorably. he
made his confession.
1t was a 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 WINS no use trying to
forget each other. They must simply
AvSac Nj. 90
Six months after his departure Jack
found himself In Tokyo. II 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 60 ashore for some time after his
arrival. but 6nally was ordered ashore
on some duty. The frst man he met
was the broker who had made the
match for him with Apple Blossom.
"Ah. Mr.. Havershamr' exclaimed the
man. How you like to marry againl
I ind you q nne wife,"
Marry! You son Of Satan, I'm mar.
ried already. You know that a. well
- l."
"You marry for six months. That
marriage has expired"
"Whatr
You no know our laws in Japan.
We have q law that q man marries q
woman for some time. He pay, the
money to 10 to the wife's father and
mother. That all right In this country.
Do You suppose I marry q sailor for.
everf"
Great ecott!''
Il marry Apple Blossom again-twice
since I marry her to you"
Say It again. you heathenv" cried
Jack. gripping the man on each shout.
der and shaking him till bis teeth rat.
tied.
II say II a hundred times. I show
you the contract"
"Show fright orr
An investigation ensued. which con-
vinced Jack that he had made a limit
ed marriage recognized by the laws Of
japan and considered there perfectly
honorable to both parties. He secured
papers to show that be could be mar
Red again In his native country with.
ont committing bigamy.
well, you satisnedT asked the
broker.
YES; ! am mighty well satisnsd."
Then get you another wife"
mo. you won'tg'
"Our law very nne law for sailor
man." said the broker urgently.
II dare ny It Il. II has proved the
best kind for me. but I have no fur.
ther use for It."
"You like to see Apple Blossomf
mo. Why would / want to see herr
apple Blossom not married now. I
make new marriage for you with her
cheap"
Jack took the little man by the collar
and the seat of the breeches and threw
him mp into cherry tree, where he
chung to the branches while his client
walked away.
On his way home Jack took very
good care of himself. declining to 60
ashore lest he fall under tho spell Of
some fair damsel, for. though his heart
was really true to Maggie. be knew
that 1t was not wise to expose himself
to temptation.
When he and his regular sweetheart
met he took her to his arms. she re-
sisting till he assured her that he was
free to marry her. After more trans
ports he explained the japanese law
by which he had been married.
That's very good law" she said.
for sailors"
Nevertheless Maggie would not con-
sent to marry Jack Haversham till she