The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1917-03-10
THE GEISHA.
BY C. r. M.
(continued.)

o Fana, with anxiety written in her
every feature, awaited Henrys return
from hiss conference with Kiwaci.
When she caught sight of him, she
moved forward, and scrutinized his
countenance, and then felt cold chill
pierce her heart. Her friend was
grave, serious and thoughtful.
The girl wrung her hands and re-
! manned, as it We're, transfxed in the
attitude of the most poignant grief.
Henry was about to address her,
when she burst forth with vehemence,
20 sir! you are very good, you are
most honorable, but you are powerless
to help me. Kiwaci desires that o
Fana play the lutte before his guests.
| know it. l am positive. There is no
hope for me. o We gods above! No
more shall l behold the beautiful sky
of my native village. No more will
see the face of my mother. l must
sing and play before the guests of my
uncle, bear with their brutal glances,
their taunts, their hated caresses, their
-. o shade of my father, why am
thus forsaken by all, and left a prey
to the viciousness of these human n.y.
enas.
But | know what | will do. Moth
| ing but the sea can save me now. |
will cast myself in the sea. At least
beneath the blue waters of the deep
the guests and friends of Kiwaci can
not follow me. My girl must be
obeyed. The sea, the sea shall swal-
low up my sorrow and misfortune!'
With these words the poor girl, a prey
to the most violent emotion, fell upon
cushion, covered her face with her
hands and gave way to the full bitter
ness of her passion in flood of tears.
NO! You will not die, o Fana!"
exclaimed the youth, himself almost
overcome by the force of his feelings.
Il shall save you at any cost. Come
with me, l aFana, do not stay here to
weep at the very entrance Of your
uncle's house"
She followed him to his apartments,
sat down on rug before him, and
turned a sorrowful and tear-stained
face towards his.
20 Fana," said Henry, "can your
mother not call you back homer"
NO" she answered between her
tears; my mother sold me to my
| uncle, and the laws of Japan will up
hold this act. My only hope is in the
deep blue sea-" And here again she
| of
mo! you shall not die" cried the
youth. by heavens you shall not!
Before shutdown you shall be- freed
from this hated slavery. | swear it
| by my God and by yours!'
In mute wonderment Fana gazed
at him through her tears.
20 Fana," he continued, look well,
and consider attentively all that | am
going to say. l am stranger here,
| and my native country is far away be-
| yond the sea. Ny residence ordinarily
| is at Toxic, where / own a large COM
mercial house. If / were to marry
YOU, would you love me? would treat
YOU with all the affection of a true
and faithful husband, and Henry
| Wendes is not a man to break prom
| Use. Would you like to come to Toxic
| with me to live? Could you learn to
forget your native village for love OF
me? You would be queen and mis-
tress of my household and you would
| never behold the face of a rival under
my roof. Speak, o Fana, can / hope
ono dow IN call Won nv own ~ =
The poor girl seemed about to col
/ LAPSE for an instant, and looked as II
she were in dream. Suddenly she
sprang to her feet, and with transports
of Joy threw herself before him. She
i seized his hands, covered them with
1 tears and kisses, pressed them to hel
i forehead, and then to her heart, sc
| much so that Henry could feel its swift