Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1915-02-25

4
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 he 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 adj
miration in her eyes. They had known
each other as children, but had great
ly changed since Jack when a boy of
fourteen had gone to sea. But each
saw something familiar in the other
and turned ut the same time for anoth-
er look.
aren't you Jack Haversham?"
eyes. And you are Maggie Pixleyw
Jack turned from the way he was
going and walked Maggie's way. That
was the right way for him, because
they had been lovers as children, and
when he had parted with her years
ago he had sworn to be true to her.
He did not consider it 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 white teeth.
The loves of an inconstant man are
very much the same. Jacks We're as
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 so honorably, he
made his confession.
It was 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 to
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
arrival. but finally was ordered ashore
on some duty. The first man he met
was the broker who had made the
match for him with Apple Blossom.
"Ah, Mr.. Havershamw exclaimed the
man. How you like to marry again {:
find you fine wife,
Marry! You son of Satan, I'm mar
ried already. You know that as we'll
as t.
"You marry for six months. That
marriage has expired"
"What!'
"You no know our laws in Japan.
We have a law that man marries a
woman for some time. He pay, the
money to go to the wife's father and
mother. That all right in this country
Do you suppose I marry sailor for
ever?''
ttGroaf
Il marry Apple Blossom again-twice
since / marry her to you"
"Say it again. you heathen!'' cried
Jack, gripping the man on each shoul
der and shaking him till his teeth rat
tied.
| you the contract
'Show fright 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
ried again in his native country with
out committing bigamy.
well, you satisfed!' asked the
broker.
Yes; l am mighty we'll satisfied"
'Then | get YOU another Wife,
"No, you won't.
Our law very fine law for sailor
man, said the broker urgently.
Il dare say it is. 1t has proved til,
best kind for me, but | have no fur
Their use for it
You like to see Apple Blossom
mo. Why would ] want to see her?'
Apple blossom not married now
make new marriage for you with he
cheap
Jack took the little man by the cola
and the seat of the breeches and threw
him up into a cherry tree, where b,
chung to the branches while his ellen
walked away.
| On his way home Jack took yer,