Leaving the delighted Jane in a full swing of talk about Zura, I
withdrew and crossed the passageway. The paper doors of the sick chamber
were wide apart, and once again I saw outlined against the glow of the
evening sky two figures. The girl held the hands of the man against her
heart, and through the soft shadows came low, happy voices:
"Ah, Zura, 'I sought for thee and found thee!'"
"Belovedest," joyously whispered the girl, bending low. Darkness, tender
as love itself, folded about them, and I went my peaceful way.
* * * * *
Two long-to-be-remembered months passed swiftly. On the wings of each
succeeding hour was borne to Page the joy of returning health, to the
other members of my household the gladness of life we had never before
known. Mr. Hamilton remained, waiting to take back with him, as one,
Page and Zura. In the fullness of her joy Zura was quite ready to
forgive and be forgiven, and said so very sincerely to her grandfather.
Kishimoto San replied in a way characteristic. He said the whole tragedy
was the inevitable result of broken traditions and the mixing of two
races which to the end of eternity would never assimilate. He had
washed his heart clean of all anger against her, but his days were
nearing a close. He had lost the fight and for him life was done.
Oblivion would be welcome, for after all
"What of our life! 'T is imaged by a boat:
The wide dawn sees it on the sea afloat;
Swiftly it rows away,
And on the dancing waves no trace is seen
That it has ever been!"
Jane's hospital was soon completed, and I could no longer resist the
sincere pleadings for her to be allowed to live in the quarters once
again. "My people are calling, and, though I am a frail and feeble
leader, I must give all my time to them and help them to find the way
back home and sell their souls for the highest price."
Without protest I let her go. I had no word of criticism for Jane. Every
soul is born for a purpose--some to teach, others to preach, and all to
serve. Miss "Jaygray" more than justified her calling and her kind. Her
simple faith had made many whole.
* * * * *
Once again the Spirit of Spring held the old garden in a radiance of
color. Once again the bird from the spirit land called to its mate and
heard the soft thrill of the answer. The singing breeze swayed the cloud
of cherry bloom, sending showers of petals to earth, covering the grim
old stone image, making giant pink mushrooms of the low lanterns.
How lonely a thing would have been the Spirit of Spring had it not
walked hand in hand with the Spirit of Love!
In the white moonlight sifting through the pines I saw Page and Zura in
my garden on their last night in old Japan--destinies, begun afar,
fulfilled beneath the shadows of the smiling gods.
"But think what love will do to them both," had once said the foolishly
wise little missionary.
And now it has all come to pass.
Once again I am alone, yet never lonely, for my blessings are
unmeasured. I have my work. I have love, and The House of the Misty Star
holds the precious jewel of memory.