The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-06
THK PHITHLKSS WIDOW

him In voice full of sympathy: rs your
master married man,
He has never been married." said the
old man.
Has your master already chosen some
one to whom he VIII give his hearth"
asked Tien-she
The old servant, now thoroughly mel
lowed by the wine. answered crafty MY
master has declared to me that II he
could win famous beauty like you his
highest wish would be fulfilled"
is 1t true that he said that?" asked the
widow full Of Impotence "Or would you
Jest with me in my unspeakable sorrow?"
An old Chinaman like me-" answered
the servant, would not dare to tell lies
MY master has already spoken to me about
the matter. He says it would be an ex-
ceIient connection; but he has a doubt
about this relation OF master and disci-'
pie, and fears the censure of the world"
But your master has had no inter-
course with my dead husband; therefore
the relation of master and pupil does not
exist. Besides, the grave will be secIud.
ed, the dwelling house is isolated and
neighboring houses are far removed.
Ihe5e objections must be put aside
AS the old servant was about to take his
leave Tieu-she called to him again: If
the prince consents ask no more cues
lions, but come at once to my room,
whether it be day or night, and bring me
the intelligence"
when the servant had left the room
Ilen-she went to where the coffin stood
and wrung her hands. She was in deadly
fear-lest she might yet fail to captivate
the young man. She stole back to her
chamDer and passed a sleepless night.
1t cannot be; 1t cannot be-" said the
OLD man to her the next morning II told
my master everything; but he thinks the
way is barred by three insurmountable
Obstacles"
And what are they?" asked Tien-she.
in GREATNESS anxiety.
First and foremost" answered tho old
servant, my master spoke these words:
IN the first place said he, the corpse
sun remains here in the hall, and if join
with her in wedlock during the mourning
season l fear that we would enjoy neither
contentment nor happiness of heart. Sec
ond, their married life was happy. He
was a renowned sage My learning surely
may not be compared with his; so | am
afraid of being exposed to contempt.
Lastly, l am not prepared. How shall l
bear the cost Of the presents and the
wedding feast? These are the reasons why
the alliance cannot be consummated. -
In all that there is not the least diff
Guilty" replied Tlen-she "a dead body is
not a fountain of life. l shall have the
coffin removed to the old stable behind
the mouse. Further, my dead husband
may have been a famous scholar; but in
business affairs he was untrustworthy.
Others may praise his empty virtues
and the King of Tao may covet his hoI-
low name. The King sent him grand
presents. hoping to make him his Prime
MINISTER. knowing his own incapacity
kwang-sahg came here. When he lay
r N htG l.
reproaches against me because | refused
to fan his grave. Where was his affec
ton for me then? With all his virtue
and his excellent learning he could NOT
compare with your master, who is the
grandson CT King. while I am a Kings !
Your masters arrival here was |
a matter which heaven itself appointed.
because 1t ordained our marriage OF !
still less consequence is the cost of the |
wedding. Here are twenty ounces of sill |
yer. Give them to your master to pro- |
vide his wedding attire, and tell him |
that 1t is now time to consummate the |
marriage. The most propitious hour is
today"
The old servant took the money to the |
prince who could no longer withhold his
The servant carried this news |
TO the widow, who became at once as Sc |
rene as the heavens and the happiest |
mourning weeds, arrayed herself in gay |
colors, and again took on her pleasing |
airs. She ordered the coffin removed to |
the ruined stall behind the house. the
nall set in order and the wedding feast
prepared. During the night she ar
ranged the bridal chamber and supplied |
the hall with wax lights.
Inc princes garments were truly royaI
words cannot describe the beauty of the
a c
lights and in the midst of flowers When
the wedding ceremonies and the feast
were ended they fondly clasped hands and
arose as II about to retire to rest At |
mat moment the prince held back and
fell to the floor His hands were
lightly drawn over his breast and he could
only stammer, in a feeble voice. that he
had an insupportable pain at his heart.
Iten-she was seized with deadly alarm.
She fell down and embraced him; but he
Vas now without the power of speech.
Has he ever before suffered an attack !
ike this?" she asked the old servant.
Perhaps once every two or three years:
tut no medicine has power to save him
rom them. Only one thing in the world
an make him sound again.
And what do you need?" asked ITEM
he in dreadful solicitude.
His physician" answered the old ser
'ant, prescribed the brain of a living
nan, cooked in wine. If he swallows that
he sickness is at an end. When he was
attacked the first time. by command Of
us royal father, a criminal was killed
n the prison and his brain taken out"
viii not the brain of dead man serve
he same purpose?" asked Tien-she
THE physician explained" continued
he servant, that if the man has not been
cad more than seyenty-nine GAYS his |
rain might be used; provided, it is not
ry or spoiled"
My husband" said Tien-she. has been
cad only twenty days. Why not break
pen the coffin and take his braln?"
i fear you would not like to do that"
eplied the man
The prince and l." said she. ARE hus-
and and wife. wife serves her husband
With her love; and If in this she does not
pare her own life, how can it be wrong
o make use of a dead body?"
With Ratchet in her right hand and
lamp in her left Tien-she stole quietly
nto the old stable. She set the lamp
own and tucked up her sleeves With her
yes fixed upon the upper end OF the cof-
n, her teeth set, and all her strength !
she raised the Ratchet with !
9th hands and brought it down with all
er might. After about thirty blows the
yelling house of the dead was finally
pened
A faint sigh arose from the coffin The '
id was pushed aside, and Kwang- Sang I
aised himself NJ.
The Ratchet dropped from Tien-she's
ands; her knees knocked together and
he would have taken flight, but was held
asst. as il chained to the spot Then these
lords sounded from the coffin, Help me
p. wife,
ba pf I'm, bo-- Il | &