hastily withdrew down one of the paths and
in another moment had disappeared entirely.

"Poor little thing," thought Mary, "perhaps her mother has been scolding
her."

Perhaps she had, indeed, for O'Haru, the housekeeper, presently appeared
looking for her daughter. Shading her eyes with one hand, she scanned the
vistas of the garden.

Mary left the group of friends and hastened down the path.

"Are you looking for Onoye?" she asked the old woman.

"Yes, honorable lady," answered O'Haru, trying to replace her uneasy and
troubled expression with a pleasant smile.

"She was on the bridge a moment ago. Is she unhappy? I think she was
crying."

"Have greatly kindness to forgive humble Japanese girl," answered O'Haru
in a low voice.

Mary thought the housekeeper was going to say more and no doubt, if she
had poured out her confidences at that time, many later misunderstandings
might have been averted. As it was, they were interrupted by Nancy and
her Japanese cavalier who turned the curve of the path and came full upon
them quite suddenly.

Instead of hastening away as quietly as possible, O'Haru immediately fell
on her knees and began speaking in a low voice in her own language.

There was nothing unusual in this. All the servants seemed to be in a
continual state of "nervous prostration," as Billie expressed it, and
Nancy, smiling and dimpling, followed Yoritomo down the path without
thinking any more about O'Haru.

"What was she saying, Mr. Ito?" she asked.

"You might accuse me of being a flatterer if I told you," he answered.

"But I don't understand."

"I mean she was speaking of you. 'The honorable young American lady,'"
she said, "'is very beautiful.'"

Nancy was flattered, as who would not have been over this frank
compliment. A rosy flush spread over her face and the dimple deepened
in her cheek.

"You see, you are an unusual type in this country, Miss Brown," continued
the Japanese. "You must expect to arouse comment wherever you go. Hair
with so much color to it, like polished copper and curling, too, causes
much admiration. You are very different from the Japanese."

Again Nancy felt flattered.

"I really believe I am rather pretty," she
thought. What she said was: "You are very
kind, Mr. Ito, but I am sure I think the Japanese
girls are just as pretty as American girls. Little
Onoye, our maid, is charming. She is a perfect
picture."

For the rest of the day, however, vain Nancy was e