Tensas gazette., 1916-01-07

piSocfOu vi surprise anu piedBuIo ~
these tokens of international sympa-
thy with Japan.
AS we were about to leave. among
the others. Count Okuma called to Sir
Arthur and asked him to remain be-
| hind.
"One moment, Sir Arthur" he said,
with charming smile. 1T is to be my
pleasure to address a communication
to your colleague from Washington.
who will be here in a moment. and, as
our ally, it would be felicitous for
you to be present"
He looked keenly into Sir Arthurs
face as he spoke, and | saw that the
British ambassadors expression was
almost as guileless as the counts.
We waited. Presently we heard
footsteps at the farther end of the
passage. The American minister was
on his way to the counts room.
Okuma. turning from US. began to
rummage among the heap of papers
upon the desk before him, which ap-
peared to consist largely of bills and
household receipts. until he came upon
a red envelope. of legal size. unfas-
tened. and evidently containing the
ultimatum.
He took 1t in his hand and stood,
propping himself upon his wooden leg.
his whole expression that Of a charm
ing man Of the world II the momen-
tous minute affected him. there was
no sign Of it in his aspect And the
footsteps were drawing nearer.
Suddenly the face Of Doctor Fong
appeared at the door. He bowed low
before the count; for the first time,
saw the counts expression change.
Did he suspect Fong at that moment
and remember the mans grievance
against him? 1t was one Of those
dramatic moments when nothing Is
said, nothing done, and yet one seems
to feel the thoughts of others.
Fong walked straight to the count.
Her imperial highness-" he began.
and held the vial beneath his nose.
The expression that had been on
Count Okuma's face was still there,
but 1t seemed to have been frozen
there; and he remained in exactly the
same position as he had occupied,
slightly leaning upon his wooden leg.
the envelope between his fingers.
Good Lord! Was l like that?" |
heard Sir Arthur whisper, as Fong
gently opened the counts fingers and
took the envelope.
heard the slight click as the thumb
and fingers came together again.
Hastily Fong slipped the inclosure
out Of the envelope. From the desk
he grabbed up bill or letter. which
he placed inside did not see what
he did with the document, but when
he turned back, his hands we're empty
Gould your excellency find some
pretext to hold the American minister
at the door for minute" F'ong asked.
Sir Arthur stepped hastily into the
doorway, where the minister was Just
arriving. saw Fong slip the vial
back into the pocket and replace the
red envelope between the frozen
tor stepped back. | saw the counts
consciousness return as instantly as a
ripple goes across wheat. Every mus
Gle resumed its functions at the same
moment.
rs greatly indisposed as a conse-
quence Of his majesty's translation
continued Fong.
II greatly regret to hear It," an
swered the count. IL shall PROSTATE
myself before her later in the after.
noon. You are attending her care
fully?"
With the utmost care" answered
the Chinaman, retiring obsequiously
backward.
And 1t was evident that Count
Okuma had not the slightest suspicion
of what had happened. Sir Arthur
had stepped hastily back to his side.
and the American minister was In the
room.
Il have the great SORROW Of an.
nouncing to you, sir. the demise Of his
imperial majesty. ten minutes ago."
said Count Okuma to the minister.
With few murmured words of sor.
row. the minister quickly produced q
written memorandum of coincidence.
which the count placed among the
others on his desk.
Your excellency," he continued, .
there Is communication of some i'm
portance which | have to make to
you on behalf Of the imperial Japanese
government I do SO, for reasons
which this communication makes ap-
parent In the presence of his excel.
lency. the British ambassador"
And he handed the minister the red
envelope.
The American minister took the en-.
velope and. bowing. withdrew. He
hesitated at the door, and seemed de-
sirous Of addressing Sir Arthur, but
the latter hurried past him to his
apartment and we left together a few
minutes later. as the thunder of guns
announced the accession of Yoshi.
hito. the new emperor Of Japan
How nearly a great war between
Japan and America, and another be-
tween the two English-speaking ma
tions. was frustrated. becomes clear
from the following letter. which I re-
ceived from Sir Arthur in Shanghai:
"The American minister called on
me at ten o'clock the morning of the
day you left
"T never heard that the Japanese
were an absent-minded people. Sir Ar
thur he said, laughingly, but this Is