University of Virginia Library

IX.

Komatsu Taro and Natsu were married in the month of August. The fields were burning with a vivid glory of natane[16] and azalea blossoms, and the sun touched their wild crimson and yellow till they seemed to throb with life in their magnificent splendor.

Jack Carruthers was invited and attended the wedding, for Natsu had told Komatsu Taro in great confidence that she thought “there was much love between him and her honorable sister.”

I was very happy that day, for more than one reason.

One morning, about a week before the wedding took place, and as Taro, Natsu, Koto and Jack sat at the door, chatting merrily together, for they were all great friends now, I saw a cyclist come riding leisurely toward the house. He alighted at the garden gate, pushed his cap back on his head, and consulted the number of the house.

“It must be some one from the hotel,” said Koto, as she went half way down the garden walk.

“Does—Miss Koto Crowder live here?”

I had heard that voice assuredly before, and now was puzzling my old head to know where and when I had seen him. He was good to look at, with his fine wiry figure and keen clever bronzed face.

“I am Miss Crowder,” quoth Koto with grave dignity.

His sharp eyes were taking the girl in, and as she spoke, they suddenly softened and melted into a smile of winning tenderness.

Have you ever noticed how those clever clean-shaven faces with stern critical eyes can become positively changed and made to look almost boyish when they laugh or smile? So it was with this man. His smile was good to see, and I had known but one man who had smiled thus.

“Please open the gate,” he said briskly; “I would like to kiss you!”

“Sir!” began Koto indignantly, blushing beautifully all the same.

“Nonsense!”—he was still smiling—“I am your—er—papa— Phil Evans. Didn't you expect me? and don't you know me?”

“Oh, oh!” said Koto, and opened the gate with excited hands.

But when he took the two little outstretched hands he satisfied himself by kissing them only, for you see, he was not facing the little girl he had last seen, but a beautiful, tall young woman.