me, but his lips
refused to utter the words.

Usually he responded eagerly to Zura's gay coaxings to friendship and
gladly shared her blithesome fun; but sometimes there was a look in his
eyes such as a youthful prisoner might have when he knew that for life
he is barred from blue skies. As time went on less often appeared the
playful curve of his lips, the crinkly smile in the corners of his eyes.

Once in the moonlight I saw him stretch out his hand as if to touch
Zura's glistening hair. Some memory smote him. He drew back sharply.

At times I was sure that he was purposely avoiding her. Yet the thought
seemed foolish. If ever there was a goodly sight for eyes glad or sad it
was the incarnation of joyous girlhood whose name was Zura Wingate.

Unable to solve the puzzle, I could only give my unstinted attention to
the boy and girl. If only our armor of love could shield the beloved!

I sent the invitation for the Thanksgiving celebration, and was much
relieved by the answer that Mr. Hanaford would join us that evening.

The dinner was a great success. For all of us it was full of good
cheer. Jane in her happiness looked years younger. She was in high glee.

"Do you know, my friends in the Quarters are so happy over the
hospital," she exclaimed. "I was obliged to ask the Sake Ya to sell only
one little bottle of wine to each man. He promised and said he would
dilute it at that. Wasn't it good of him to do it? Oh! it's beautiful
how big difficulties are melting away--just like fax in the wire!" She
joined in the laugh at her expense.

Zura urged, "Lady Jinny, please get you a pair of crutches for that limp
in your tongue."

"Better than that, child. First operation in the hospital will be to
take the kinks out of my foolish, twisted words."

Afterwards in the sitting-room Zura went through her pretty little
ceremony of making after-dinner coffee and serving it in some rare old
Kutani cups. The wonderful decoration of the frail china led her to talk
of the many phases of Japan and its life that appealed to the artist. Of
the lights and shadows on land and sea the effects of the mists and the
combination of color that defied mere paint.

I'd never heard Zura talk so well nor so enthusiastically on a sensible
subject. For a moment I had a hope that her love for the beauty of the
country would overcome her antagonism to her mother's people. I was
quickly undeceived.

Then, as if fearful that praise for the glor