The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1878-10-31

posed platform and had fallen, not, for
tunately, from the EXTREMIST height, but
from an elevation sufficient to iniure
her in general way, but principally in
the region of the head. For two entire
days her condition was deemed danger
Gus, according to report, but then her
well organized constitution triumphed,
and she began to recover. One startling
misfortune, however clung to her. She
had lost the power of speech forever.
When Oshikoji Nobu.aro heard this,
he was agitated with mingled sadness
and delight. He could not overcome
his qualification on finding that no i'm
pediment need now oppose the prog
ress of his affections; and yet the con-
vlction OF his supreme selfishness was at
times too bitter for him. But one thing,
at least, was clear. 1t would no longer
be possible for him to forego the pres
ence of the beautiful Tama-ko.
So, as soon as the circumstances of
her recovery would permit, he sought
an interview, and communed with her.
The language of her eyes told him all
that he most wished to know, and he
was thoroughly happy in her oral in
competency. Tama-ko was happy too.
For many weeks their course of COM
panionship ran swift and smooth, and
all Kioto's nobility smiled sympathetic
and complacent. By day they were
never parted, and each night tender
chants, expressive of hopeful passion,
sustained by the throbbing koto, re-
sounded in the dell which Iay contigu-
Gus to .Sanjo no nishi's garden-that
lovely dell which in all ages has been
the moonlit resort of artist and poet;
where the river rustles in harmony with
happy thoughts and the snipe sings soft
encouragement to youthful hearts.
AS the loves OF Nobutaro and Tama-
ko advanced and prospered, an inde-
scribable tinge of regret came over the
young Japanese nobleman. At first, to
his surprise, but presently to his con-
sternation, he found himself longing for
a word of fondness from his atfianced.
For time he repelled this sentiment as
unworthy of his firmness, but it gradual
ly overcame him again and again, until
he became a prey to the deepest anguish.
He was forced to admit within himself
that his ideas on the subject OF the fe-
male tongue had been too dangerously
radical, and that experience had at last
taught him the value of a gift he had
once considered an excrescence. The
eloquence of the eye, he found, the pres
sure of the hand, the assurance of . ca
ress, were insufficient to complete his
comfort. Oh, for a word! he sighed
but sighed in vain; and it at last ap.
peared painfully evident that Nobutaro
had simply stepped from one unsatis-
factory extreme to the other, and that he
was now almost as inconsolably misera-
BILE as when he had started to adapt
himself to the seclusions of the hawking
box on the shore of Biwa.
1t was natural that Tama-ko should
feel deep concern at the returning un-
happiness of her lover. She besought
him to explain it, and indeed, succeeded
in drawing from him the reluctant
truth. And on learning the real condi-
tion of things, she did nothing but
smile with great and persistent appear
ance of delight, which Nobutaro thought
the most extraordinary circumstance
that had ever happened.
Nevertheless, as Kioto had expected,
the announcement of the impending
marriage ceremony was not long defer
red. And in early autumn it came.
Festivities were profuse, and corre-
spondingly brilliant. Every body pal
pitated with sympathetic emotion; ev-
cry body was irrecoverably lost in ad-
miration at the beauty of the loving
pair; every body mourned the affliction
of the bride, who, for her part, seemed
never so joyous.
Nobutaro raised the cup with which
he was to pledge his fair companion.
He spoke few words indicative of his
intentions through life so far as Tama-k
was concerned, and then an amazing
incident occurred.
Lifting her beautiful eyes to her low
er's face, and opening her beautiful
lips, Tama-ko softly murmured:
s' This is my dear and only lord, the
master of my faith and duty!"
" Naruhodo!" cried every body, No
butaro included.
The explanation was rapid and COM
plete.
"How could I help it?" said Tama-
ko. "What they said was that you
scorned me for my tongue. Oh, hateful
tongue, to bring me Nobutaro's scorn.
l would have forever remained your
Silent Lover, but for your later words,
impelling me to take once more my
gift of speech. Does Nobutaro forgive
me?n
"Oyal DINO! sweet Tama,' whisper
ed Nobntaro, 81 am conquered" !,a
For awhile the entire upper class of
Kioto, excepting Iriye Ichigoro, the
faithful friend, laughed immoderately
But the lovers cared little for this. Far
away from the city's turmoil, once more