Los Angeles herald., 1906-01-14

sympathy upon the Prince. and then irresoutely
turned 60 the samurai Perspration stood out
on the lords brow. lie was suffering physically
from the strain.
After long interval of this intolerable silence,
the doors of the chamber again pushed
aside. The samurai Gcnii entered Bowling deep
ly, he announced
The Lady Wstaria and her august aunt en-
ter the honorable chamberl"
The two ladies' close behind Genji, now fol
lowed him into the room. Immediately all pros
trated themselves When they had regained
their feet, it was found that Wistaria was still
knecling. Then Genii perceived that she had
not risen because she unable to do so. With
out a word he lifted her Co her feet. One mo.
ment she leaned against his strong arm, then
seemed to gather strength Stepping apart from
him, she stood alone there in the middle of the
floor.
Despite her waxcn whiteness, she was more
than beautiful-cthorcal. Her lacquer hair was
no more dark than her strange, long eyes, both
set off by exquisite robe of ancient style, as
befittcd lady of noble blood.
When her hand touched that of the Prince he
felt cold as ice. Involuntarily his own palm in
closed hers warmly. He did not let it go, but
drawing her closer to him, unmindfu of the as
sembled company, he tried to fathom the tragedy
that seemed to urk behind her mpeneratbe
eyes. But, her head dropping above their hands,
he beheld only the sheen of her glossy hair.
Then she passed from his side to her uncle and
her father.
Almost mechanically, his eyes never once re-
laXing their gaze from the face of his bride, the
Prince went through the ceremony. After the
service he tried to break the uncomfortable re-
strant. He proposed the health of the two
Bile though previously misguided families, whose
union had now been so happily consummated.
But his own cup was the only one held high.
Gradually his hand fell from its elevation He
set the untasted sake down among the marriage
cups and sprang to his feet.
LET us diffuse some SGnerriment among u.s."
he cried, "for the sake of the gods and for our
future peace and happiness. Such undue solem-
nifty bodies i'll for our honorable future
The samurai Shimadzu stepped forward, facing
him fairly.
"NIy lord and prince" he said, "I have this
moment given the signal for courier to hasten
Immediately to Choshui to acquaint my bttercst
enemy with the tidings of the marriage OF his
heir to my Insignificant daughter"
The Prince smiled despite his uneasiness.
''Surely, my lord" he said, "you make good
" new and honorable custom What
nouncement, perchanco invitation for ones
enemy That is we'll, for we have overturned all
false maXims relating to vengeance against
enemy We have buried our wrongs in union
of love, and embrace enemies as friends
with august humility" said the samurai,
coldly, "I would suggest that your highness'
surance of cur embrace is premature
Premature! What, and this my marriage
day!"
''Your marriage day may be a source of woe
to your proud house"
"NVell, that is So" agreed the Prince. thought
fully "Nevertheess," he added, checrfully. 'my
honorable father becomes more lenient with the
years. Moreover he has but to behold his new
daughter to forget all else save the fortune the
gods have bestowed upon us.
''Be assured your father shall never behold
her" said the samurai, with ncisive tierceness
''What is that"'
|'You have heard"
E"But do assure you that my marriage though
it may provoke the momentary anger of my
father, will never debar my lady wife from her
position in our household. You forget that my
honorcd parent is very old, and | shall soon have
the honor of becoming Prince of Mori in my own
right. / shall then have no lord to deprive me
of my rights, even if had disregarded the law"
''You may as well be made aware OF the fact
at once said Shmadzu, that no blood of mine
shall ever minge with that of the Mori!'
81 do not understand your honorable speech.
Has not our august bloods just now become
united"
Only by the law my lord"
''Well-?"
''My daughter, your highncss, shall never ac-
company her NTori husband to his home
every we'll then. ] will remain here with her.
I am quite satisfied to renouMce all my worldly
dmDltlOnS ana pOSsesSlOuS loi Hcl SAM, II sum
is the command of her august father" and the
Prince bowed to his father'in-law in the most
filial and affable manner.
eff you remain here You will not be permitted
to live"
A low cry, half moan, came from the new
Princess of NIori, who lay against her uncle's
breast. Keik turned to her at that cry. Hc
was seized with a foreboding of events to come.
Again he turned to the samurai.
''NVill it please you, honored father.in-law, to
speak more plainly to me-"
every we'll This marriage, your highness,
has been consummatcd not for the purpose of
uniting a pair of lovers, but to fulfill pledge
which was made to one who was murdered by
your parent-a pledge of vengeance"
'But l cannot perceive how this is accom-
plished" said the Prince, now pale as Wistaria,
"You have married an Eta girl"
''I am aware of that, said the Prince, some
what proudly,
81 have not finished said Shimadzu care
YOU aware that you are at present under sentence
of dcath?'
The Prince made a contemptuous motion.
"By order of the bakufu Cshogunate. Yes
am aware of the fact
every well, am the eXccutioner!"
"'You!"
''It was who caused your arrest, and after
wards brought you hither with the intention of
executing YOU"
A flood of horrible thoughts rushed across the
Princes mind bewilderng him. As il to press
them back he clasped his hand to his head,
Shmadzu continued in his cold and monotonous
voice:
"After your arrest, it was brought to my at
+ention that more subtle revenge against your
L., o1 Inv into