The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1901-02-28
CHAPTER TX.

When Sho Mai saw her fathers face
she felt that her wandcrings were done
She had no other wish but to seek his
presence and her mothers arms and
tell the story of her fight, her love and
her sorrow. She entered the house,
pushed past the servants. who would
have restrained her, and in a moment
stood before her parents. With the
changes that year had wrought, and
the strange garments, they did not
know her until she said: II am your
daughter. are your hearts still open to
me?
Then, faint with hunger. weary with
the great labor OF the competition,
and, more than all. burdened with a
heavy heart, she fell at her fathers
feet. He was so overpowered with
astonishment that he stood for a full
minute staring into her face; but the
mothers eyes were quicker to recognize
her child. and coming quickly forward
she raised the fainting girl in her arms.
Then the ex-Prefect gathered up his
scattered senses and assisted in carry
ing Sho Mai to her mothers apart
ment.
When Sho Mai awoke next day after
long and heavy sleep she found her
mother standing by her side. For
moment she lay wondering where
dreams stopped and realities began.
The whole eventful year she was half
persuaded to place among the visions
which had lowered around her pillow
during the preceding night. For the
year had left little trace in outward
things. She was at home again; she
was TO be woman once more with all
the restrictions about her from which
she had fed. She looked forward to
this prospect, as the realities OF life
came back to her, with neither fear nor
hope.
She knew that in her own heart and
not In outward conditions she would
find the WEAKNESS OF life.
Physically she was much refreshed by
the long slumber There was no trace
OF the illness which her mother had
feared might follow the excitement
through which the girl had passed. She
arose and donned the unfamiliar gar
ments OF her sex and went to meet her
lather. who waited in no little impa
thence to hear her story.
She told 1t simply. and with little
though the narrative was al.
most too exciting for her mother to
bear, and made the ex-Prefects heart
cap more than once.
my child. are you not happy to be
n
when Sho Mai concluded.
II am not happy, mother" said Sho
Nal. and | shall never be again; but
lave accomplished that for which
made this visit to the world. have
cen 1T and learned its lesson. In one
ear 1t has taught me all that the pro
oundest philosopher could learn in a
hundred years. Ambition and fear and
lope and love-I have known them all
no the end OF them all, which is disap.
ointment The whole world Is in that
'ord, and those who learn its meaning
o thoroughly that they can neither
trlve nor hope nor fear nor love anv
lore have solved the riddle and NAV
est from their labors. This is the mill
sophy OF the unhappy; the fortunate
lay have one OF their own, but shall
OF need to know it."
She laughed bitterly at her trite
urinary OF the world s lesson. and then
Trying her head in her hands, she
epts
her parents exchanged glances but
nered no consolation, feeling that time
ust do that. From the street camo a
'und OF loud voice rising above the
Urinary noises OF the city.
What is this outcry?" asked the
other.
1T Is the hour OF noon" said WONG
ne Foo, land according to the custom ,
'e heralds Of the Emperor are an.
'uncing the result Of the great compe-
ton. Listen and we shall hear the
,mes."
me voice drew nearer. Suddenly
10 Nal sprang to her feet, and rushing D
The window struck 1t open with Y