The Heart of a Geisha

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5, 4 August 1906, Page 4

The Heart of a Geisha

0 -TATSU-SAN was making her toilet. Her “ kimono” was of violet silk, and her ” obi” was stiff with threads of gold. The little maid. Kiku-San had spent many hours over lhe honourable hair, and. at last satisfied with its gloss and piled-up wonder, she stuck ca refull \ therein her most precious •• kanzashi of jade and amber. She smoothed with a drop of oil her high, narrow eyebrows, and touched her full, drooping lids with rose. She made the (herry-blo-soms at her cheeks bloom a little more brightly, now wa- addin" the In—t touch of

earmine to the centre of her mouth, which she had been told had been “made to kiss.” She wished to look very pretty indeed, for had not the honourable young English mister promised to be at the “ teahouse of the Iris Gardens” that even ing? And had In* not promised to bring to her picture?, of his honourable mother and his honourable brothers and sisters, who lived in that far-off land of which he so much talked'.' She had seen many English ladies wh » had stopped at the great hotel, and who sometimes came to the teahouse. ’Truly, their skins were white, like milk, ami their garments very wonderful. Sometimes the hair of these honourable persons was beautiful gold colour, but some possessed red hair, like the dreadful “oni” (devil) which terrified one at the play. Also, she wondered win these august ladies ehose to wear on their heads the dead bodies of birds. whose cruel, staring, yellow eyes seemed always to look fierce protest into her own eyes! She had but that day observed in the Street of Many Lanterns a tall young woman with square shoulders and honourably large feet, whose hair,

of the colour of sunset, bore on top a •• hat.” on either side of which was perched a fierce white bird of the sea. while fastened to the edge of the hat floated long strands of green, very thin silk: so that the bird of the sea appeared to be poised with outstretched, longin'* wings over green waves of the billows. These thoughts ran idly through Tatsu's head as she smoothed with dainty, fluttering fingers the folds of her ” obi. But it is time now to go to “O-Chaya” I teahouse). Indeed, she is a little late. She gets into the rickshaw. “Hi!

Hyaku!” she calls. “ Hai. hai” (Yes. ves) answers Totaro—and off they go very quickly. They pass rickshaws bearing geishas. and latsu greets many, and acknowledges many greetings. As they approach O-Chaya. Tatsu sees that nice young Englishman, who runs quickly down the steps of the balcony to meet her. He assists her to alight, ami her soft “ arigato” (thank yon) is sweet music to his ears, while the proprietor of the teahouse. Ito Takeda, smiles and makes many bows in the background. Ito Takeda has a greedy heart, but this he cleverly conceals tin der a sleek, good-natured countenance. Truly. O-Tatsu-San is his most valuable geisha, and her time of service at the teahouse has yet two years to run: yet. if the honourable English sir desires to make temporary marriage with her. he will be bound to pay him well for so great a loss to his business. The room in which they sit opens on a balcony overlooking the gardens, with their stone lanterns, tiny lakes crossed by scarlet bridges, and beds of iris flowers dressed in purple and white, like beautiful ladies and leaning slimlv

against supports of small, flat sticks. When tea and sugared beans have been brought by the Musume (little maid) Tatsu-San makes a very low bow and says: “ Shibaraku o me ni kakaramashita” (It is a long time since I have hung upon your honourable eyelids!). She always repeats these polite words, and

Mr. Hayward always laughs. But she is not yet satisfied —is he not a very illustrious person? Again she bows, and exclaims sweetly: “O shikei itashimashita” (Pray excuse me for my rudeness the last time we met!). Mr Philip Hayward catches quickly at one of the small hands and presses it to his lips. “Tatsu-San.” he

exclaims, “you are the pink of politeness! 1 don’t believe you could lie ’honourably rude,’ even if you tried. But, 1 say, Tatsu, you look even more lovely than usual to-night, little one. Those hair things are stunning. Where did you get them?” “Arigato!” said Tatsu-San. “Vaery nize ‘kanzashi’ (hairpin); you like him?” “By Jove, they’re beautiful. But (jealously) who gave them to you?” “Truly, nize young man from big ship wiving me that ’kanzashi. "Well, I’ll be hanged. I like his cheek!” “So do I,” says Tatsu-San. “He has honourably red cheeks; 1 like vaery much! ” Mr Philip Hayward laughs; but the laugh has a note of irritation—or is it anxiety—and he continues — "Tatsu, surely you don't care anything about that red-faced little cub! He’s only a ’middy’—not old enough to know his" own mind for two minutes at a time.” Women of every nation have instinct of coquetry, and this little geisha is no exception to that rule. A gay laugh ripples'through her red lips, as she answers — “Oyama! He is so nize young mans! I like vaery much.” A very peculiar pain, sharp and hot, shot through the breast of Mr Philip Hayward, and suddenly he realised that he "loved this little Japanese girl; not with passing madness of passion that turns men’s blood to fire (as sometimes he had "loved”), but tenderly,, truly. Quickly —for he is a man of action, this voting English gentleman—he makes up his mind. He will arrange with Ito Takeda for Tatsu-San's liberty. He will marry her and take her to England. He will secure for her best masters, and in a little while she will not only satisfy all his love, but he will be very proud of her as well —his pretty, dainty lotus Hower! But he does not at once speak of all this. The meal is a very gay one. for Tatsu. fearing she has made him angry, makes use of all her prettiest trick's. She tells him a tragic story wherein love and jealousy are intermingled. and of the wonderful deeds of the “Forty Ronins;” she sings, in a high, sweet voice, to the twanging of her samisen. a little song of love—-“Hana-ka? Chocho-ka? Chocho-ka? Hana-ka? Don! Don!” (Flower is it? Butterfly is it ? Butterfly or flower? Don! Don!) Rut when at last the musume had re-

moved the remnants of the feast—the custard soup, the minced raw fish, the snowy rice with "nori” (dried seaweed), the fish boiled with lotus-roots and soy. the pickled cabbage leaves, the beautiful little cakes in the shape of maple leaves, etc. (for he resolutely refused to take away with him, in the dainty lacquered boxes used for that pm pose, the "tid bits” left from the meal, as is custom ary), and he had finished his last cup of “sake” (rice-wine) —he took O-Tatsu-San’s hands in his own. and in a straightforward way, in a few tender words, he told her he loved and wished to marry her; that he would arrange it with Ito Takeda. He will take her to England, and his mother and sisters will be very kind and good to her—first for his sake, but very soon for her own. "For,” he added, drawing her head down on his shoulder, quite regardless of that wonderful butterfly coiffure, "when they know you, they cannot help but love you. Tatsu-San!” As for that little geisha, she fancied she was not really awake. Could it be that this splendid young English sir. whom

she was anxious to please, truly wished to take her away to his own land? So, since love is love, and is ever new, the hours passed all too quickly. But before escorting Tatsu to her 'rickshaw, Mr Hayward attended to an important matter. After making settlement for the evening's entertainment, he informed Ito that he wished to arrange tor Tatsu's liberty; he intended to marry her. Ito, thoroughly' familiar with such •’temporary* marriages*’ (as he thought) smil ed an oily smile. Truly, the illustrious English sir had excellent taste. Tatsu-San was considered the most beautiful ami accomplished geisha in all the city of Tokyo. Oya! His augustly insignificant estab lishment would sutler much by letting her go—with much rubbing together ot hands and hissing intaking of breath, and many low bows. At length, after evading the •hedging" until be had gauged the Englishman's earnestness in the matter, a number of “yen” was named which, though really exorbitant, was accepted promptly by Mr. Hayward as the price paid for Tatsu's liberty.

The next day Philip, visiting TatsuSan at her own “shop,” drew from his pocket a tiny box. " Shut youi eyes. Tat>u. just for an instant." Site screwed up her c\es. in childish fashion; then Philip. dipping a ling on her finger, *aid: “Now yon may look, sweetheart!’’ She opened her eyes and ga\e a de lighted little shriek. “A-i-a! Such priddy rings! He i.* for ilk*. Pheedeep?” she inquiies. with sparkling eye*. Indeed, it is a beautiful “*olitaire" bought at a large price at the English jeweller's and now gleam* like a great drop of tire on the slendei hand. "Yes, little love,’’ says Philip. “It is a token, as is the fashion of my country. that some day you will be my wife. Ami. by -and-bye, w hen we are married, you shall have another ring—a small band of gold—to wear also.” Tears sprang to Tatsu’s bright eyes, as sh«* pres*-d Philip s hand against hei cheek. ..“ Phee-ieep.” she said, with a little catch in the‘cooing voice, “when you marry w is’ me. away and leave me. like American ’sii*v who. marry wis’ O Hana-San?’’ “No. Tatsu.’’ he answered gravely; “that small gold ring will be a sign that you will be my honoured wife al ways— till death do us part.” Alas! How quickly clouds sometimes overcast the blue of the summer sky! Next day Philip Hayward received a cablegram- - ‘’Your brother thrown while hunting; not expected to live; return at once.” He packed feverishly. He could just catch the outgoing steamer, which as it fortunately happened, sailed in a few hours. But he must see Tatsu. In a few words, for time was precious, he explained what had happened. She did no cry. but with trembling hands clung to him a moment. "I will pray Bentcn-Sama tek' care of you. Pheedeep. so you vaery soon come back to me. Oyama: Those poor lady - —your honourable mother ami your lion ourable sister! For them my heart have great sorrow!” ‘‘Thank you. my darling. 1 will return as quickly as possible, and you will hear from me very soon. Ami do not go to the teahouse again. Tatsu. You are vour own mistress now. you know , and I wish you to wait here till I come back for you. Good-bye. my little love good-bye!” "Savona ra.” she whispered; ‘‘goodbye. if it must be so!" and the soft lips trembled under his long, last kiss. Then the 'rickshaw was o’f again, and in an

Instant, had tamed the corner- nd the heart of Tat-u San grcv ’c*»M as snow on Fujiyama’s cone. the weary wrcl.s went by. and no message, no letter came; i-till she waited patiently. Philip Hayward had left money with her. -<» she was not in want as yet. thoi _h every day now her pretty rilk puTM* grew lighter. Also, the unwelcome attention- of Oki Mayeda. the rich silk m« r ant. through the “nakado” (mat« b-makci • troubled her greatly. If only the honourable letter would come! Again and ag; in -he sent her little makl Kiku t<» th. teahouse make inquiry; but. alas, alway- the little maid returned W hands. One evening -he decided to go to the teahouse her>« lf and make inquiries. Ito Takeda received her with smiles, thinking she bad at last grown weary of lonely waiting, and longed once more for the laughter, the lights, ami the excitement of the teahoti-e. How different were her feelings! Her soul sickened at the sound of the ringing and the loud laughter. Ito begged her to remain: the English mister would never return: it was always so. Why waste more time waiting for one who had forgotten? Having gained no satisfaction ami no comfort, still she refused to go Rick to the teahouse, ami returned sadly to her own “shoji.” As for Ito. he was like nothing -o much as a spider patiently awaiting the poor fly. He rubbed his hands gleefully together at his < u verne-s in having intercepted all the Englishman’s communications, from the first cable to the last anxious letter, received only a few days ago. “Ova!” he said. “the English mister will think her unfaithful, and will forget her. and she will in time be forced to return to me. for to live one must have food.’’ A few more weeks dragged slowly by. ami the pretty’ silk purse was almost empty. One day, after kneeling a long time at jhe shrine «»f Benten-Sama. goddess of mercy, she arose at last with quiet determination shining in her soft ryes. She w«»uld go to that •'England*’ of which “Phee-leep” used to talk. But she had not sufficient gold to pay her way on tlie great boat. OyamaL There wa- the l»eaj;tiful ring which”her lover had given her. Ay. yes. but he had said it was a sign that some day she would l»e wife. No. she must not sell that ring. A-i-a! She would conceal herself behind-the big boxe- which >he had noticed on one occasion while visiting the l»ig ship, ami -o by-and-byc. she would see “Phee-leep.” Having settled her small affairs, she packed her choicest “kanza-hi” (hairnniament-- and her favourite “oh* in a liitle lacquered l»ox. Sh had long ago ’dismissed the maid. Kiku. and that evening. as the twilight fell, she left her ‘•shoji.” In the gathering dusk she managed to 011 board unnoticed, and. with hear- Uating so loadly she feared it w«»’ild be heard at a great distance, coiivrah-d herself behind s< me bales of silk. When a "stowaway** in the form of a •7a pa nr—e *»irl was discovered on l»oard the Emprt— of Japan there was great excitement. There she >too<L in the centre of a cir«-lr of amazed -pectaton a -lender, pathetic figure, her hands, wrapped in her long sleeves, pressed to h< r breast- She was questioned by the captain and by the first c.fli.er. but. like that talking bird called the parrot, to al’ que-tion- she made the >ame r; plv:— he go to ] . I—l go length a young won.au. with -un-et-c •!- rmred hair yet -he was veiy lieiutiful) stepped up and gent I v placed her arm about the - ■ aiders of Tatsu-San. Turning to the captain sh said: — “Ah. captain, dear. leave her to me. You great i-rvatiirv- will frighten the life out of the poor little darling, ('ome with um*. a< u-hlu.” slip said, and Tat.-11. ■with one fleeting look into those bright blue eyes. now brighter still with unshed tears of sympathy, Hung to her newfound friend and. amid the applause of the assembled passengers. Miss Sybil Slaney led th*' ” stowaway” to her own cabin. That evening Mis- Clancy had a prb ▼ale talk with the captain. •'Sure, captain. dcay.” >aid, >1 will livery pleased to pay her passage home. I if at tbe halls and * I don’t* thmk Pve' Jler done Srny•

thing worth while with it before—l’ve always just bought pretty clothes anti enjoyed nieself. Anti that's just what l"m doing now—it’s like having a.new dtdl to play with!” - ' »'•» ’ "My dear young lady,” replied the taptain. “you shall do nothing of the sort. Since you are so good as to have taken her into your own cabin, -he shall be treated as your guest, already paid for; and—with his hand laid gallantly upon his heart—God bless you for a noble girl! By Jove.’’ he continued, admiringly, “if I hadn't already a wife and two kiddies. I’d <lo mi best to get vou to give up the halls.” . . ’ Miss Clancy laughed merrily. “Ah. captain dear.’’ -he said, “you’d be too late. I’m thinking! Still.” with a coy glance, “a woman always has the privilege of clianging her mind, aml if it were not tor that wife and the ’kiddies’ The voyage was pleasant, varied by the usual entertainments, concerts, at which Miss Clancy was always the “hit'* of the evening, games on deck. etc. At last, however. Tatsu’s dream was a reality, ami she was in England. Miss Sybil Clancy was known throughout two continents for her clever impersonations. Her trip to the ‘•Land of the Lotus.*’ indeed, was to study the “genus geisha:” but. as she laughingly eonfesed. “after seeing the quaint little dears on their native heath. I have quite abandoned that ambition. I don’t believe in half doing a thing, and to properly impersonate a geisha, with her marvellous pantomimic dancing, etc., would require several year-* hard work—and life is too short! So I must l*e satisfied to imitate the 'Divine Sarah.* the great and only Tree, Sir Charles, etc.’’ estba bier are r Clancy n*i rdx v-o This young woman’s London home was a small but artistic “flat at the top of a tall business building near the Strand. To Tat.-u-San if was like a dream: she lived in a stra: ge world of shadows, seen through London fog. and, in spite of her new friend’s kindness, she had but one’ thought— find “Phee-kep.’’ Miss Clancy was getting ready to go to the West End music hall where she was to open her London s< a<«n. Kissing Tatsu good-bye. she exclaimed: “My dear. I wish you had some ]»ro|»er clothes, and I’d take you with mo tonight. but you’d attract too much attention that way. You are such a mite, we couldn’t find anything at the shops to fit you. I’ll send for Mrs Carroll, my dres-nj.ker, to-morrow. Now, dearie, if you want anything while I’m away, just ring this bell, ami Norah will get it for you. won’t you. Norah?” Norah, who was deftly carrying away the china from the dinner-table, replied heartily: “Sure, that 1 will. miss!*’ Then added sot to voce, as she retired to the kitchen — “The banted look in the two eyes of the |»oor crayture fair goes to the heart o’ me! Bedad. it’s amazin’ that a haythen-Chinay loike that (evidently Norah*.- know ledge of m tiouaJity is somewhat deficient* could be da-ent and so sx.ate! An’ when she spake.s in that gibberidge o’ hers it ’mind- me b’ a little brook murmurin’ along through the green meadows of *Oul<l Oireland’! Miss Sybil tould me she i- after try in’ to find her English young man. Bad *«e-s tn him. the >palpeen. for desavin’ the j»ore dear!” Having thus relieved her feeling-. Norah begin- was’ning up the dinars, and -inging. in a rich natural contralto which many stage ladies might envy, “The Wearin’ o’ the Green.’’ As for Tatsu. when -he hears Norah.*- singing, ami realises that she i- ar last alone, she quickly slips <»ut on the landing, and l>egins to descend the many flights of white -tone steps which lead to the street below. As -he reaches the bottom of the last flight, her courage liegin- to fail. but. making a great effort, she passes out into the street, and flutters up t • an old, white-haired man. who. hi- eyes seeming to bulge through his gold-rimmed glasses with astonishment, stands staring at her. “Please, illustrious one. you telling me where I find Mr Phee-lei'p Hayward The old gefitleiuan mores, as if in a trance. He moisten- his lip's, clears his throat, then, impressively pointing one podgy forefinger at her. remarks: — “lint —m —in? This is nio«t extraordinary! Young woman, who are you. and where de you conic from?” “My name O Tatsu San. I romr- from Teahouse of Iris Gardens. Pkn-e you

telling me where I find Mr. Phee leep Hayward?’’- - -"i ni —um—inn! Upon my soul, this is In the mcaatrare, the street was beeouiing congested from the ever-gather-ing crowd of curious ones, and the old gentleman, fearing trouble, managed to Tonvey to Tatsu that neither he nor anj - ..ne else could just then tell where Mr. Philip Hayward was to be found; but if -he would show him where she lived, he would try and find out. Fortunately, Tatsu had proceeded a very few steps isi’orc her appearauce had attracted the rowd. and now. pacified by his promise,, -he willingly turned with him. and a few seconds’ walk brought them again to the big building, the entrance to which she Jerkily remembered, as she knew neither the street nor the number. W hen. Miss Clancy returned. Norah j ire her a highly-coloured description f Tatsu’s adventure. After the first .clerical burst of la-ighter. that young woman sat down on tlie sofa in her little swing-room, and. calling Tatsu to her. drew the foolish little head down to her own broad, warm heart. "Poor innocent!" she said. Then she -b.wly and carefully explained to Tatsu that -he would leave no stone unturned to find her lover; but that she must not !••■ t« o much disappointed if she failed; :n a great city it was sometimes very itii.ult to find people. He might not ’«• there at all. And she kept her word, making inquir- :••- ami telling the pathetic little story : all directions: but no trace of Philip Hayward was found—a quite natural resi it. since •'Hayward’’ was Philip’s middle name, and he was now Sir Philip Darras. of Harrascourt, Surrey. - - ♦ - ♦ so three months slipped sway, and th- roses of Tatsu’s cheeks had become palest of pink, instead of glowing brightly. as in the old days. Miss Clancy must soon sail for New i • •rk. where she was booked as a special a ; traction at one of the big "vaudeville I,She had grown so fond of the tittle Japanese girl, however, that she did not dream of leaving her behind. Tat-u. on her part, was never tired of trying to please her friend. She could s. iv very nicely, and delighted to make . ’L' trifles. Sybil picked up for her day. at an old curiosity shop, a ■ -amisen” (Japanese banjo), and hour ■ j :-r hour she would sit oa her pillow ‘ - I sing, to its twanging, the songs of l.e: native land; those strange, haunt - in- little melodies, yet as misty and infl- -finite, with their soft tradings front key to key, as dreams that float across a -anniier night. Listening to her thus singing one af- : moon, through the twilight of a thick London fog. a thought struck Sybil,— liy would not Tatsu-San be a success : the music-hall or ’’variety” stage? ■ managers of such are always looking ' ■novelties.” She would take her to X-w York, as she had intended, but, in- • :-ad of keeping her at home as a pretty 'or. she would take her to a friend of r own there—a certain "hustling” manner —who would, if he liked Tatsu’s »er••rniance, exploit her aS "the real thing i>; Geishas.’’ as he doubtless would have • \pressed it. The glamour, the excite- • nt of the life, would perhaps be very 1 neficia! to her little friend. It would give her onee more an object in life, and help her to forget her unfortunate love affair. Acting on this thought, the week after Sybil reached New York, she gave a s all and very select Sunday "At Home” in the handsome suite at the hotel on Broadway where site stopped, and introduced our little Geisha. Tatsu-San. gorgeous in a golden kill ■ io embroidered with lotus-blossoms, ialtered in. fluttering her purple, fan, b e sank gracefully on a pillow and -aug in her high, soft voice, which yet held a certain wild note of longing that i •mlied the heart, a song of Falling Leaves.” She told, in quaint, broken English, little stories and legends '•f "Ohl Japan." And. last of all. she danced. She had taught her friend the melody, and Sybil, who was a good musician, had arranged it for the piano. she floated down’ the room, with tiny bauds outspread, and fluttering like syhite butterflies in the cherry-drchard, Fhe unfurled a fan, and a whirring of "ings. a s o f s O me giant moth, was heard. She took from the folds of her ‘ obi’’ a second fan—and there were two gorgeous butterflies of purple and gold, t'he heard the beating of their wings; t»he smelted the perfume of the blossoms from which they sipped; one felt the ioyousness of the early summer day. <P and down they flit, these butterflies.

darting there, circling here, chasing each other merrily, madly. Down. dewnAKey wheel—and the purple-black elOtld of hair touches the floor. Then up again they flutter, wafted-on a breeze s»f-mel-ody. while the long, flowing, wing-like sleeves sway and float like the waves of a satn ocean! At last, as she sinks again on the pillow, they flutter gently down, as if a weary, and are still! "Great!” cried the manager. “Great! ”I’ll hack you. all right, little-lady. She’ll make a sensation,” he said, turning to his neighbour. A few weeks thereafter. O-Tatsu-San was billed to appear as "A Real Oriental Attraction" at wonderful city by the esea. where the houses that stretch along the top of the-famous “Cliff Walk” are all palaces, and the illustrious lords and ladies who live in them have so much money, the endless, weary search for pleasure, for “something new’’—mtist be very hard to bear. All day long she had sat alone in her little room at the hotel. Now. again it was evening, and she must go on and do her "turn.” Separated from her friend Sybil, she was almost overcome with nostalgia for her own dear land, and with a despairing longing tor "Phecleep.” But, when one is billed as "of licwitehiug Oriental beauty”—by ail pronounced the personification of the “poetry of motion”— Oyama! it is necessary to present an appearance of happy ga iet y. Tiie pretty summer theatre was crowded. The management was compliment e l by "the press” on having the "best bill of the season.” All the boxes had been engaged by the illustrious ones, who came to chat, to laugh, to throw at each other meaning glances, to flaunt the evidences of their riches—in many cases so newly acquired! And the people from the houses in the town came to gaze upon the illustrious ones who lived in the palaces. The lords from the palaces leaned over the beautiful ladies, who displayed, on bosoms and arms as white as the blossoms of the nine-tree, strings of jewels that gleamed like eoiled serpents of living fire—the lovely ladies Who stirred men’s blood to flame! Yes, undoubtedly the little Jap. was quite a success. She was really "a novelty.” with her funny waddle, her piledup hair, her weird music, her wonderful dancing, and her foolish little white-clad Tatsu-San had finished her first number—a song —to generous applause wliich sounded like the booming of great guns to her unaccustomed ears. Now she pattered on the stage again, and began her dance. She certainly was extremely amusing, especially to one Lovely Lady. ki»jwn as a " society queen" throughout two continents, and who. evidently having dined " not wisely, but too well.” now pointed a jewelled finger at Tatsu. and quite audibly remarked to her neighbour— " I say, Harry! Do look at the creature’s feet! Let’s get a pair of those ridiculous things she wears from her as a pattern, and then you ean come as a ’ geisha’ to my fancy-dress ball.” Then, amid gusts of tinkling laughter, lorgnettes and opera-glasses were levelled at the small feet, clad in native " tabi"—short, white, “ digitated stockings." as someone has described them. And Tatsu? As she fluttered through the dance a painful lump grew and grew in the slender young throat. (tyama! If only she were now at the "Teahouse of Irish Gardens,” dancing to music of •’ saiiiiisen” and " koto." before a pleased audience who understood and petted her. instead of being in this painful place, with its sea of cruel white faces! The faces leered at her. and wavered up and down in uncertain’ lines. The music sounded now very loud an I terrifying, now soft and far away. There is a stir. A young man who has just arrived enters the box' of the Lovely Lady. “ Ah! My dear Sir Phillip!” she cries, with outstretched hand, you are just in time to see the most amusing creature—a real geisha, with such airsurd feet. Harry'is going to copy them for my ball, and come as a geisha! ” Suddenly, a troubled wave passes over the audience. The tinkling laughter dies in the throats of the amused ones; The' music sounds harsh and strained, and the wailing of the oboe is like that of a thing in pain. Clad in her white satin kimono, embroidered with dreamy flowers, the Japanese girl is swaying unsteadily, like a wind-shaken lily. She looks at the man who has come into the box. The folds of her long sleeves fall in drooping line*, like the wings of •

won tided moth, as she stretch?* forth her arms, with a gesture iufiuively pathetic—-‘‘Phee-leep!” she cries. “Mice leep!** The curtain is hastily rung down. •‘Great God!” cries the man who ha< entered the box. “it is Tatsu-San!*’ He glances with an expression v.Lich it is not good to see at the Lovely beside him. and makes hasty adteux A few weeks later a Lovely L«.dy who spends the summer months in !»?r palace by the sea. and who has angh.l industriously to catch a certain ric*. English nobleman for her daughter, read in that herald of fashion, the “Nev York Chronicle.” the picturesque details of the marriage of Sir Philip Da mis. of Darrascourt, Surrey. England, to Mi-s Tat«su Ikeda, better known as O-Tatsu-San. of Tokyo. Japan. That day Felice, the maid, acted disgracefully, and pulled my lady’s hair so hard she was promptly dismissed. Also Miff-muff, the Japanese poodle, who ate off a golden plate and wore jewelled bangles on his slender limbs, misbehaved scandalously, and teceived a severe slapping from the Lovely Ladv’s own white hands.