Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1915-03-25
CHAPTER w.
The Awakening.

A hush fell over the room of the
geishas as he limped through, and
the welcome accorded him by White
Kate was scarcely what might have
been expected by conquering hero
returned from the fray.
"Can't you possibly keep out Of
trouble, Gaffy?" she burst out as
soon as he came into her room.
Gafford sat down on the brocaded
couch and nodded slowly. $50 va
mata beat me to it, with you, did
he?" he remarked.
"Then you did mix it with him,
did you, Gaffy?" Kate continued.
what does he say?" Gafford
grinned,
"That you picked a quarrel with
him, .lanhandled him, and took
away his gun. don't mind being a
good fellow, Gaffy, but can't have
you rough-housing it around here,
and Jogging my game. I've got to
make my living, and l can't let you
or any one else put me in bad with
the folks who back me, and you
know Yamata's got an awful pull"
81 understand" Gafford nodded.
"Don't say any more, Kate. You've
been awfully good to me, old girl
too good. I'll get out. Tell Yamata
if he wants his gun | said he should
come and get it." He rose.
"Sit DOWN. snapped White Kate.
"Tell me just what happened-the
truth of it, Gaffy. And don't go off
half cooked with me-"
Didn't you question your girls 2
he asked.
"Of course. You know they'd back
up Yamata. They'd be afraid not
to. Now tell me the truth"
"Did you ever know me to lie to
you, Kate?" Gaffor,. dropped back
on the edge of the couch.
"Only when you were full of hop
Gafford grinned. "I'm not. You We
kept me on a pretty small ration
the last few days.
aren't you better for it,"
Barring some muscular cramps
I'm as well. The point l was max
ing, is-Im not full Of the stuff
Well, then; listen"
He plunged into an account of the
affair in the inner room. White
Kate giving eager attention, drank
in every word. Her eyes began 70
glisten and sparkle as he went for
ward. At the end she laid a hand
on his knee. "That was fine, Gafiy
fine" she exclaimed. "The little
beast. That was the sort of game
he was trying to pull in my house
was it-doped tea and a rickshaw
waitin in the alley? l wish you'd
killed him, the yellow shrimp! I'D
have liked to seen you in action, boy
Oh, Gaffy, why don't you take 9
brace and be the man you could be o
"Oshitu's in town." said Gafforc
with apparent change of subject.
! But Kate understood. Her head
came up and she looked him in the
eye. "The man who wrecked you
Gatfy? Would there be any chance
to get anything on him-to prove
you didn't do 1.-THE thing they &C.
cused you Off"
| 81 don't know. I've been wonder.
ing-half way" he answered slowly
81 wish you'd see if you can find Out
anything about what he's doing.
know he's up to something. Hell
likely drop in here with this va
mata. They're hunting in couples
I've found out that much. 1t wa!
Oshitu who cut my foot"
"oshitu!" gasped Kate. "My God
what for?"
"He wanted to see if / wa.
asleep said Gafford with anothe
grin.
Kate gave him a narrow-liddet
glance, which said as plain as word
that she recognized the evasion. Sh,
breathed somewhat quickly. "Cal
you pass the opportunity, Gaffy?
she asked, with a breathless interes
in heI tones.
81 don't see how l can," he re
sponded slowly. "Yet after fiv
years what can do-what chance
to connect things up? Besides"-
with change of tone--"I've some
thing else on my mind just now
That girl asked me to call on hel.
Little fool,' muttered Kate.
"Quite right. | agree with you,
said Gafford.
Kate put out a hand. 81 didn'
mean that, Gaffy, and you know
didn't. suppose you want to 20
It's quite romantic in way"
Gafford swept his hands outwar
and down. ain these rags?" h
jcered.
Instead of laughing, Kate gre,
seri, us. Suddenly she rose. "Wait,
she commanded. and left the room