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


Shiela. HE came p to father in
the hotel and called him by name.
1t seems he is interested in several
enterprises in and around San Fran
cisco, and wanted to talk to father
about conditions there. Father
agreed to meet him after he returned
from Tokyo"
you're father is out of the city 2"
Gafford took her up.
She laughed slightly. "I shouldn't
have said that, really" she returned
"Father is really on 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 stifled gasp at her shoulder told
her that her shot had gone home.
Her companions face seemed white
in the glow of the lantern as she
turned her eyes. Compunction seized
her at the effect of her words. She
put out her hand.
Lieutenant" she faltered.
Please had to speak-I know
your father"
"Dad ?" stammered Gafford hoarse-
ly, and forced 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
son-a Lieutenant Edward Gatford.
We know he 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. ~ know
that, but / was certain OF my sus-
picion this afternoon when you de-
MED your country"
Gatford's face twitched in a ner-
vous spasm. Denied my country?
Why not" he cried out almost
roughly. "What is my country to
me or l to it? My country cast me
off long years ago. L" He pa a.sed
as he saw the confession involved
in his words.
The girl turned toward him on the
bench. She lifted wide eyes to his
drawn face and laid hand on his
knee.
"You are wrong, Lieutenant Gaf-
ford" she replied in tone which
thrilled him. "No mans country can
cast him off-unless he permits it.
Once an American you are always
an American unless you discard
your birthright and deny your coun-
try yourself"
She felt him quiver beneath her
l,o
some time. A vagrant breeze
swayed the lantern until they sent
rosy streamers of light fitting like
wraiths of dead ambitions, checker
ing across his face. 81 wonder if
you are right" said the man after
time. "My God! l never thought
of it like that"
"Of course not" she hastened to
continue. "You didn't look from the
other side. You were unjustly ac-
cused and unjustly condemned. But
because a few mortal men erred in
their judgment-did that give you
right to destroy your immortal man
| hood and forswear your divine birth
right of land?"
"You believe it was unjustly done
that | was not guilty." he ques-
! toned.
"Yes. Would l nave asked you to
me else? | am an American girl,
| lieutenant. / love my country. That
is why"
q" began Gaford, choked, and
paused. He forced himself to go on.
Don't say any more than just that
to me now-please," he begged her.
"You are making me see. While /
have fancied myself victim, have
been utterly selhsh-utterly blind.
AS long as l was not guilty should
have been stronger than that. My
own weakness has made me what /
;.m." He bowed his head in his
hands, sat so for a moment, then
dashed clenched fists to his sides and
raised a white, drawn face to the
light. Glow much of my miserable
affair do you know" he asked.
"All of it," she told him. "I told
you | knew your father. l have
talked with him. When he knew l
was coming here he half hoped, l
think, that might meet you. l
think your father likes me as much
as l do him, for he told me all about
this thing. Lieutenant, he is grow
ing an old man."
"Don't" he protested thickly. "It
hurts, Miss McRae. am the last
Gafford. Once dad was proud"
"Why don't you write to him ?"
SAID softly.
Gafford rose and stood before her
in the glow Of the lanterns, drawing
himself quite erect. "Shall l tell
you?" He spoke harshly. "Well,
then 1t is 'ecause have gone too
low"
Low" Shiela drew back from
the confession with wide, question
ing eyes. Gust what do you mean 2"
"All that the word MEANS" he re-
sponded in dogged accents. 81 am
just what Yamata said. l am a
lounger-a bum. frequent the inner
rooms of resorts like the House of
Moon Faces. | drink sake. | smoke
opium. | have no right to even look,
let alone talk, to you" Abruptly he
turned away.
Shiela rose and swayed to his side
"Yet you came to me today and saved