The House of the Misty Star / A Romance of Youth and Hope and Love in Old Japan

e and the visitor I was expecting, adding, "This is Orphan Asylum day. I can't go, but take Zura with you

the combination of a shriveled cash account, and an undesirable male

ar I can see not one good qual

an whistle beautifully. Last night as he went down the street you sh

lmers will have to shine in another direction before I am convinced. Now get Zura and clear

this perfect day of early spring. In each flower, in every leaf a glad spirit seemed to dwell. The feathered tribe that made its home among the branches madly rejoiced in a melody of song and twitterings. A white mother p

in the beauties before him, to sit down with me. Without further dallying, I went straight to the point of the interview. I told him I had heard him make the appointment with Zura the night before and he seem

ble for you to see her in the company of others. Already your attentions have caused Zura to be talked about and there is very serious trouble with h

irl out and give her a good time! I knew these

and customs were in good working order in Japan long before Columbus

"What you can't change you can sometim

as pins. "Very well, young man," I said, "there will be just one time in your life's history when you have encountered both an old

ittle brown monkeys! Where would they be anyhow if it wasn't for America? Didn't we yank 'em out of their hermits' nest and make them play the game whether they wanted to or

Pinkey Chalmers. The more he talked, the less I was sure of my pet belief in the

. Do I interrupt?" he asked on reaching us, bowing slightly and lookin

I've planned a picnic and a sail for Zura and me to-night. This la

, if necessary. I know nothing of your plans, but in this place Miss

ou, I'd like to know, pushing in an

forward. A so

eyes. Then with an effort he found himself. "My ancestry would not app

ngry and game. "You want to figh

stopped him. It was voices s

o my lo

o my l

o my l

Saturday

e and Zura, skipping and bowing in time to the game's demands. The last line brought them to us. Hand in hand they stopped,

se to the Nipponese kiddies and Lady Jenny is my understudy. What's the argument?"

rs started

he book he wants. You'll find it on my desk. You go too, Jane, an

everybody will stay to lunch.

e pantry. Miss Gray and Zura started house-ward, slowly followed by Page. He had looked very str

?" Without waiting for me to answer he went on: "I didn't know you were a missionary, else you couldn'

about. Speaking of golden texts, I know my Bible too well to cast pearls. Now, young man, once for all let me say, this thing simply cannot be. Zura is a lonely girl in a strange land. Sh

rry her!" he exclaimed, "Why, I

nt on, more concerned than at any time befo

f it had come to the place where a man could swear allegiance to one wo

ebra, and they both belonged to my country where I thought rearing children was like growing flowers. Not only were th

just met her coming over. She isn't in love with me

ra many a heart ache. I know of nothing more contemptible

it," he answe

you can furnish to convince me that the men of my country ha

Well, I like that!

r chance. You go right back to your ship; write to Zura; tell her of

hink the girl back home would think? Suppose somebody treated her as you have treat

hing conquered. "I'll do it! Just watch me," he sai

He rose and moved towards the gate. His effort to live

orry. Zura is such a jolly chum, and she was very lonely; I wasn't any too gay myself at leavin

ssed it. But for his earnestness I would h

cried Zura, as I ent

anaford?" I qu

and left. Didn't you

as Mr. Chalmers.

estion there was much a

boys gone? What a pity! I'

he coming storm. For the rest of the afternoon Zura had little to say. Book in hand she sa

Chalmers or his call, thinking it b

Zura white. She looked at me stonily, "I suppose,"

ed, looking into

te him! I hate everything! Oh!" she cried, with a sudden outburst of passion, "the lot of you are a pack of withered mummies. Not one of you know what it means to be homesick; how I'm aching for a good time! Yes, I was going with Pinkey to have a picnic on the islan

mers and me, of the fatal thing she was contemplating and how her grandfather had appealed to me for help. Never had I dreamed

s' Meetings and translate Confucius from the original, but I was helpless before this girl in her conflict with conditions to which she could never yield and which she fought with all the fierceness of undisciplined strength. I could think of no word to comfort her. I sou

rself around at me. "Hang your old hat! What is a hat to a man, and he the only friend I have out here. I don't care if there w

heart. Even at that I was at my wit's ends again to know what to say next when the door opened. Jane had heard the commotion, and there she stood in h

show you. This is Willie. For a long time he was my only friend; then he died. I missed him terribly at first; but don't yo

comfort. Suddenly, turning away from us, she stretched her arms to the starlit sp

oked in the window, found a sleeping girl, and kissed the heavy lashes still wet with passi

she sang the story of an old, old love; the sad notes of the blind masseur as he sought for trade by the pathos of his bamboo

her serenity. For a long time she had been looking steadily int

d at last, "wh

e looked young and wise, as she leaned over and put her hand on mine. Here was a Ja

the key of

I am

nds should

trusted

ht be

Some of her strong sweetness, penetrating what seemed the cr