Summaries

Synopsis

Alan Hepburn and his half-sister, Sheila, are the children of Adam Hepburn, who made his fortune in Japan, leaving his children fairly prosperous upon his death. Alan has a position in a bank at Tokio. Sheila, in America, longs to be with him and clings to the few Japanese customs and possessions that she still has, including an image of Kwannon, Goddess of Mercy, which was her father's. The aunt with whom she makes her home disapproves of Sheila's fondness for things Japanese. The "call" at last proves too much for Sheila, and she starts out to her brother, arriving in time to take part in the Feast of the Lanterns, a Japanese holiday. During the feast her brother, who has been losing heavily at cards, is invited to the home of Takada, a wealthy young Japanese noble. Count Takada has a grudge against him, for the latter had captured the heart of his Japanese sweetheart. Alan writes Sheila a note telling of his whereabouts, but Takada orders it destroyed and the distracted girl would never have known of her brother's fate had not the little Japanese girl, Omitsu, come to Sheila saying that Takada had taken Alan to his country home. One evening Takada informs him that he must send for his sister; he has seen her at the Feast of the Lanterns and finds her very desirable. It is only then that Alan realizes why he has been brought there. He refuses to buy his liberty at such a price. Owing to Omitsu's advice, however, his sister is already on her way to the island and arrives shortly. One evening while Sheila is walking in the garden, Takada has Alan imprisoned in a place where he has a full view of the garden. He tries to take Sheila in his arms while the brother struggles in vain to release himself from prison. Sheila runs to a large image of Kwannon, not knowing that it was the place of worship of Takada's mother, and therefore a hallowed spot to him. It seemed to Takada, on seeing this that the spirit of his mother had risen to protect the girl and he begs her not to be afraid, that he only meant to punish Alan by frightening her. Already much attracted to Takada, Sheila begins pleading with him for Alan, who, having forced his way out of his prison now comes into the garden and seeing that Sheila appears to be in Takada's arms, fells the Japanese with a blow. Takada's servants are about to bind the young Americans when Takada rouses himself enough to bid them respect his guests and tell them they are free to go. Sheila does not want to leave the wounded man, but her brother makes her and they depart in Sheila's launch. On their way they have a quarrel in which Alan tells Sheila that it is the "black blood" in her, and that her own mother was a Japanese. Understanding at last her own fondness for things and customs Japanese, Sheila also understands that her love for Takada is now justifiable and she leaps from the boat and swims ashore. The Count ill, and half delirious with fever, had got out of bed and was walking along the beach when he sees what he thinks is Sheila's ghost struggling towards him through the waves. He plunges into the water and brings her ashore only to fall on the sand. Sheila cares for him devotedly and when he comes to himself hours later, it is to find her at his side in the costume of her mother's land. Takada begs her to be his wife, and the last we see of the two, they are kneeling together before the shrine of Kwannon.