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

said she as she tossed it down on the
couch. "a Frenchman wore them
last, but he was about your size. He
got into a fight and was knitted. He
died here some years ago. When
they took his body away they left
the suit. Try it on while I'm gone"
She turned again through the door.
Gafford put on the dead mans
clothes. Kate had been right. They
fitted him trinity. They seemed to
be some sort of fatigue uniform OF
the French navy from which the in
sigma of rank had been cut. CAT
ford, surveying himself in Kate's
glass, stiffened into unwon ed erect
ness as the reflection of his white
clad figure flashed back.
White Kate entering with an old
pair Of shoes in her hand dropped
them to the floor and cried out at
the picture: "Gaffy! You look like
the old Point days"
Gafford WINGED at the words.
Don't he said, citing down and
beginning to put on the shoes. "1t's
dead, Kate. It's all dead"
at isn't" she flared back. "It
mustn't be. Oh, Gaffy; come back!"
He rose, crossed to her. took her
hands. "Kate," he questioned, "do
you care-really care?"
She tore her han,.s away. "Of
course l care, Gaffy," she said. and
then lightly: "Run along and see
your inamorata, nov. Good luck.
Here!" She fumbled inside her
clothing and drew out purse.
you'll need this to get ric|ishaw
and tip hall-bov at the Nippon.
You can't walk there on that foot"
She extended coin.
Gaf'ord flushed as he took it and
turned away. Thanks. Kate, I've
come long ways to this; but I'll
square it some day if I live"
Don't pifTle," said White Kate
shortly. "Now run along. I've got
to put on my paint"
Gafrord's rickshaw put him down
in front of the Nippon in due time.
He paid the boy and made his way
inside. He walked in his trir' fit
ting clothing and unaccustomed
backthrown shoulders.
That, together with his fluent Jap
anese, evidently convinced the hall
boy that he was some parsonage,
indeed. He fairly darted away to
announce him to Miss McRae, re-
turned almost at once, and asked
Gafford to step into small lounge,
adding that the lady would be down
in a moment or two. Gafford tipped
him and sank upon a divan.
He smiled. 1t was all so natural
so much thing Of long custom.
For a moment it seemed the reality
to him, and the life of the five years
past, a dream rather than the re-
verse. Then soft footsteps came to
the lounge and entered, and Gafford
became convinced that it was
dream after all.
Shiela McRae came toward him
as he rose, with outstretched hand.
If he had thought her charming that
afternoon, she wove a spell of adj
miration about him tonight. The
gown she wore fitted her supple fig
ure to perfection, its sheer tissue
half exposing the upper bust and
arms. She had thrown a light scarf
over her hair before descending,
half concealing its dusky mass.
He took the extended hand. 81 am
SO glad you came" she told him.
"I've been hoping that you would
ever since you said good-by. Shall
we sit here or go into the garden ?"
81 wanted to come" said Gafford
as he bowed above her hand, "and so
/ found a way. l am creature Of
the out-of-doors so suppose we say
the garden"
Come" invited Shiela, and led
the way.
In the garden of the Hotel Nippon
the artistry of Japanese gardening
has reached climax nowhere ex-
celled. here miniature islands,
reached by miniature bridges, bathe
in miniature lakes. Dwarf pines
make forests on tiny mountains.
Carved pagodas Of stone mirror
their inverted images in the waters
of the lakes. At night soft lanterns
glow like fairy marsh-lights among
the foliage, where carved benches
invite one to rest and dream. Water
lilies, yellow and white, and laven-
der and pink, slumber amid their
floating pads. Gold fish flash in
crimson dartings through transpar-
ent pools. The ripple of miniature
waterfalls tinkle through the night,
with a soothing of weary nerves.
Shiela led Gafford into this cool
realm of nature, and bade him take
seat at her side on bench beside
a little lake.
"And now" she began as she ar
ranged her dlape.ies about her, 81
want to explain more fully about
this afternoon. realize that my
American independence and my love
of adventure placed me in position
from which, save for your assist
ance, | might never have escaped
want to assure you that have
learned lesson, and to thank you
again for saving me- She paused
and Gafford could see in the light
of lantern that her lips were quiv.
ering.
"Don't speak any more of it, Miss
McRae," he hastencd to answer. al
"But l want you to know how
felt this afternoon" she persisted
81 want to make personal defense
haI hoo n,.I ~