Oxford Democrat., 1915-02-23
NUMBER 8

they had been lovers rs children. and
when he had parted with her years
| ago he had sworn 10 he true to her.
| He did not consider II necessary to say
that he had left 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
surcdly so. He fell In love rs easily
as ship will rise and fall on a gently
undulating sea. Naturally he was trou.
bled mt remembering that there was Il
barrier between him and Maggie I'm his
marriage with the geisha girl. hut any.
thing that interferes with what we de
sire only renders that desire more keen
Jack couldn't stay ut 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
new ship; then. when she naturally
showed tina. she expected him to speak
his mind and intentions toward her
not being able to do so honorably, he
made his confession.
1t was Il 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 10
forget each other They must simply
endure their mutual misfortune.
Six months after his departure Jack
found himself in Tokyo. 1t 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 duiv. The first man he met
was the broker who had made the
match for him with Apple Blossom.
"Ah, Mr.. Havcrsham" 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 well
Us l."
"You marry for six months. That
marriage has expired
"Whatw
"You no know our laws In Japan.
We have law that man marrtes a
woman for some time. he pay. the
money to go to the wifes father and
mother. That all right in this country.
Do you suppose marry sailor for
everY
Great Scott!'
II marry Apple Blossom again-twice
since I marry her to you"
"Say 1t again. you heathen" cried
Jack, gripping the man on each shoul-
der and shaking him till his teeth rat
tied.
~ say it a hundred times. 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
papers to show that he could be mar
IL L., ftt-a
out committing bigamy.
"well, you satis6edY' asked the
broker.
"Yes; am mighty we'll 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 1t is. 1t has proved the
best kind for me. but have no fur.
ther use for It."
"You like to see Apple BlossomT
mo. Why would l want tC 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 up into a cherry tree, where he
clung to the branches while his client
walked away.
On his way home Jack took very
good care Of himself, declining to go
ashore lest he fall under the spell Of
some fair damsel, for, though his heart
was really true to Maggie. he 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.
sfor sailors"
Nevertheless Maggie would not con-
sent to marry Jack Haversham till she
had made inquiries and learned that
there is in japan SUCH marriage law
as he had been married under without
knowing It. Then she consented. but
only when Jack had promised to leave
q seafaring life and remain at home.
where she might watch him.