Painting by Frank E. Schoonover

Illustration for " The Marriage in Kairwan" “IT IS THOU, THEN, O RUNNER ON THE HOUSETOPS BY NIGHT!"

NEW LETTERS FROM JAPAN BY THE AUTHOR OF “THE LADY OF THE DECORATION"

PART I

BY FRANCES LITTLE

EAREST PAT,—Since I left you evenings, with the wind howling outside,

I have been like a bumble-bee on my you of many
a fly-wheel. Only the wheel flies faster sailed across the old Pacific with a
than I can bumble. So there is not a heavenly blue sky above and a sea to
minute to call you Patricia. I have a match beneath? This time the above
call of a different kind. Before I answer, and below were of another color. The
there are a few happenings I must pass water took on the heavy gray of the
along to you, else they'll grow stale, so clouds and the one merry thing on its
swift is the change in the life pictures of broad expanse was our little steamer.
the Far East of to-day.

From Seattle to Yokohama it looped the
The big mail-steamer that brought me loop, skimmed the crest of every wave,
over is out in the harbor. It is flying climbed up the other side with an aban-
flags and frivoling with every wavelet don which brought no joy to the storm-
and making much show while waiting tossed souls aboard. It ceased its capers
to take my letter to you. Of course it only when anchored in the shallow pools
may be waiting for other things. But of Tokio Bay. After that I can't say
it is queer what kindly intimacy you whether it put on company manners or
acquire with these giant ships which not. I was too busy with other things
have carried you safely across leagues of new and old.
water, rough and smooth. Why, I feel Where do you get your wisdom, Pat,
as if this one must know of my prom held as you are to one room and a bed?
ise to write you often and everything Your warning that changes great and
possible to write, and your promise to small would greet me was more than
seek entertainment only from the writ- justified. I was prepared for some such
ten pages. If cold facts creep in here greeting. Changes are inevitable. I did
and there, just remember they are facts, not expect so complete a knock-down.
and each one has a godmother to stand They began to arise with the first
sponsor for it.

glimpse of Hondo's misty shores and even
Do you remember those long winter the ghosts of old familiar things were

Copyright, 1921, by Harper & Brothers. All Rights Reserved

charged with a new spirit which is trans sailed junks flock around us in the open forming a beautiful land, not omitting sea, bidding us welcome, the owners inthe space

above. So far as I could see, viting us to dispose of all small change the world upheaval has not budged Fuji for articles temptingly cheap and curione inch. The mountain “where dwells ous. Even the sea-gulls had flown to the Spirit Lady who made the flowers to other climes, and only a government

was as serene and beautiful as launch, impertinent as to newness, imever. But think of it! Over her glisten- portant as to duty, came and swiftly ing heights an airplane dipped . and departed. After all, I've told you of the somersaulted, scorning alike danger and joyful arrival of a steamer in a Japanese the traditions of the sacred mount below. port—and now to see it robbed of so much

No longer did sampans and white- of its color and quaintness! It is enough

bloom”