The daily morning journal and courier., 1904-04-19

at Arising. but in vain. He went on his way unconcerned. whistling merrily, and working industriously in the slimy rich fields, till at last he met his fate, as she walked sedately along the top of the earth banks that divide the rice patches, carrying on her shoulder a bamboo pole, at the ends of which were balanced two heavy bales of tea.
 The pity of it was, the girl was not river-dweller, but an heiress of the pre- judice that forbids marriage with those despised people. And yet as Lu-Ta mo- ticed Ah-Sing's evident admiration of her. she could not but admit to herself that he looked as good a man as her brothers and neighbors; even, perhaps she blushed as she thought it-a little better.
 1 And while, as yet, no word had passed between them, Lu-Ta, as she prepared for her days work before leaving the home of her father, Chen-Foo, dressed her dark hair with more than usual care, and stuck bright silken flower in it's folds, in the unacknowledged hope of seeing again that eager adoring glance from the eyes of Arising.
 Arising was a simple lad, but he was not without a sturdy courage of his own, and after he had exchaned glances and glances only--with his adored one for many days, he took the bull by the horns one morning, and addressed Lu- Ia as she was about to pass him.
 Good morning, Ornament of Pal aces" he began; wilt thou deign to ac- cept these two duck eggs from thy hum- ble servant?''
 That I cannot do,'' faltered Lu-Ta shyly, flor my father would beat me did I accept a gift from a strange man. and her voice was like music in Ah-sing's ears, even in his disappoint- ment But see,'' added the girl if give thee this flower from my hair for them, will it suffice? Then we may justly call it a bargain"
 Surely it will suffice gasped Ah- Sing, overjoyed. Rather it is thou- Isand times too much. But I take it, and thank thee for the gift"
 Nay" replied Lu-Ta, 1t is no gift, it is but flower, and it is not high price for thy two beautiful eggs" and she cast down her eyes demurely. as Arising placed in her hands the eggs wrapped in broad leaf. Next morn ing Ah-Sing worked hard. and yet wait ed impatiently till LuTa passed as usual, when he spoke again "Oh, Light of the Morning" he said, T would make another bargain with thee"
 And what is that?" asked Lu-Ta;
 "hast thou some more eggs to sell? or hast thou lost the flower I sold thee?" May, surely" and the boys hand went involuntarily to his coarse blouse -'sthe flower is safe. But would like
 to exchange my name for thine, for
 know not what to call thee"
 So very shyly Lu-Ta whispered her
 name, and heard Ah-Sing's in return
 and from that morning each knew that
 they loved, and were beloved in return though Lu-Ta, knowing the extent oi her peoples prejudice against river peo-
 pie. dared not look ahead, beyond these
 pleasant walks day by day, across the
 rice-fields where, even from afar, she could recognize the figure that was
 daily becoming more dear to her. But the bold boy, Ah-Sing, worked and thought, and planned, knowing that the day was drawing near when Lu-Ts would probably be give to some one tC wife, and resolute1y he toiled from tht earliest light of dawn till twilight, an( at last he spoke.
 "Oh, Queen of My Life" he began, go : ing straight to the point as usual, s'thol knowest that I love thee, and would make thee my wife"
 ' I r r1o : and know well that I cannot be tn, wife, for my father hath promised mt long ago to Tas-Shu, the rich duck
 hatcher"
 Ah-sings brow darkened. "But thol , wilt never be his wife" he urged Promise me! Thou must be mine, fo we love each other. Is it not so?''
 Tt is even so,' the girl replied, ''bu
 thou knowest we may not marry witt
 the river people; and Tas-shu hath large house, and many hundreds o
 duck eggs, and he will give me maid servants to attend me.
 What matter?" Ah-Sing replied ''Knowest thou not that have been t. I Tcheng, the boat builder, and he ha : made me a sampan? Yea, and I hay
 even paid for it. he added, proudly 2 ''for I work hard, as thou seest." t That I know" she answered. admir- t ingly. "I love thee better than all tn l landmen, and thou are a far better maj 7 than Tas-Shu; and handsomer." r "Then why wilt thou not be my wife l Why dost thou delay? Thinkest tho
 of the large house, and the maid-ser I wants, and the many duck eggs?" An f Sing spoke bitterly, for his heart wa r heavy within him.
 "Nay," replied the maiden, tenderly t 1T would rather thousand times liv 2 in thy sampan with thee, and cook tn, l rice, and make thy tea, than dwell il r the Forbidden City, at Pekin, with tn
 Son of Heaven himself"
 t "I'hen why shall we not marry 9 Ionce?" asked Ah-Sing, his usually sto lid face glowing now with happiness t |, hear Lu-Ta's words. why should W
 wait any longer?"
 sThou knowest, Ah-Sing my fathe s land all my people would curse me f,,daad ,,ax, faf11a,. xro11Id sf fra n ol