ttle palm in his. He looked
down from his height with tender memories of all her gentle
courtesies.

"Good-by, little snow-girl," he said. "I'll never forget Japan, nor
you."

She withdrew her hand and looked inquiringly up at him.

"Some long time you come back?"

Merrit climbed into the jinrikisha "No, Yuki San, you know I'll soon
have a little home of my own to work and care for. I'll be a busy man
for the next few years, so I guess I'll not come back."

As in a dream, Yuki San saw the men adjust their hats and tighten
their sashes as they took their places in front of the small vehicle.
Mechanically she bowed her farewell with the rest of the family, but
she did not join their "Sayonara."

She watched the swift moving of the jinrikisha wheels, then she saw
Merrit turn at the gate and wave his hat as he joyously called:

"Good-by, Yuki San, God bless you!"

The girl stood still, her eyes on the empty gate. Like a lonely, hurt
child her lip quivered, and she caught it between her teeth to steady
it.

"Ah, Yuki," cried her mother, "some spirit has wished you harm. A drop
of blood rests on your lips."

Yuki San drew her hand across her mouth, and lightly answered that
maybe a robin had tried to steal a cherry. But to herself she
murmured:

"My heart bleed for lonely. He _never_ come back."

CHAPTER V

The following day a host of accumulated duties and various
preparations for the first ceremonious visit of the groom-elect kept
Yuki San's hands and mind busy, and if sometimes a sob rose in her
throat, or her eyes strayed wistfully from her task, she resolutely
refused to let herself dwell upon the past.

The marriage, which had been dutifully accepted as a matter of course
and looked forward to as a financial relief to the entire family, had
never held any particular interest for her, but now even the
preparations, which had hitherto excited her interest and enthusiasm,
found her listless and indifferent.

She would be mistress over a great mansion and many servants, and her
days were to be spent in arranging for the physical comfort of Saito
and the entertainment of his friends.

The arrangement had seemed so simple, and so right, and she had been
gratified that a desirable husband had been found. But now she could
neither understand nor explain to herself her new and strange
resistance. She only knew that for the first time in her life there
was rebellion against the inevitable.

As she