Los Angeles herald., 1906-01-21

H as the capable and devoted leader OF
leSS5Szsi the cause Of Imperialism, was deferred
lLtaHklI to by his brothers. He at once
sumed in his own right the command
of the resources OF the clan.
The household was put upon footing even
more military than before. Regular watch was
kept at all points of the estate and at the boun-
daries of the province. Reports Of all crossing the
boundaries of the province in either direction
were made to Keild each morning.
An army of laborcrs impressed into service
from the NTori as well as the friendly southern
provinces were put to work strengthening the
defenses of the Mori fortress, now become the
war headquarters of the Imperial party.
The castle itself, situated within the centre
OF the province, approach to which on all sides
must be made through friendly provinces, with
the exception Of the Catzu, because of its nat
ural defensive properties, became the nucleus
Tor host of outworks shetering the activities
OF keiki. Within the line of fortGcations sur
rounding the immediate vicinity Of the fortress
were the factories and foundries now built by
those who acknowledged Kcilki as their leader.
For while all this owed its inception to the Shin
ing Prince, it could not be carried out with his
resources alone. The neighboring clans whose
lords in the past had held equal and superior
rank to the Shogun, sent of their best to the
Prince of Nlori. The clans of Satsuma Ozumi,
Hnga, Nagate, Suwo, the Lu Kiu Islands, and
others ordered their artisans and mariners to
The old Prince of Satsuma. more learned in
European civilization than Keilii (although Chos-
hui was the home in Japan of Dutch scences),
was the Princes preceptor Under his drec
ton the cannon foundries, whose weapons of
war were to oust the Shoglin, were built. A sort
OF light rifle designed by Satsuma manufac
tured under his direction Keikis fortress
The castle, which in time of war would afford
protection to all these works and foundries was
reduced in the number of it's living apartments
These were situated within the inmost recesses
All about the old portions of the house were
built broad platforms. Upon their edges were
set stone walls with openings for cannon. These,
as fast as they came from the foundry, were set
in tiers arranged that they could command
the approaches to the large circle, within which
were set the factories and works of the Imperial
lists.
In the midst of these activities Keki found
relief from the flood of memories that other
wise might have overwhelmed him. He felt
that now he was rising to true greatness. For
him personally, selfishy. life held nothing. 1t
was for his country he lsbored. So austere and
unbending was his demeanor that for months
after his return his brothers forbore to speak
of the message that had come during his absence
But one evening as he sat in his chamber alone
within the centre of the fortress, his brother
Komozawa came to him and held out in silence
the letter which had disturbed them. Keiki
read sufficient to ascertain its tenor. Then gent
ly he laid it aside. There was no passion to his
tones or manner as he SAID, c0ldy:
Brother, whatever truth or falsity may lie
in this epistle is of the past, and concerns me
alone. 1t cannot affect the future Speak to me
no more of the leaves of last autumn"
"But-" began the brother, tmidly
Keil5 sprang to his feet There was cloud
upon his brow, dark and threatening. His
sword showed half its bare length.
"Not word,' he said, cor, dearly as 7 love
you, this blade shall give you explanation"
Komozawa bowed submissively and retired.
In the thoughts that the words of his brother
had called into being keiki led to remem
her the imprisoned Toro, whose existence he had
forgotten. Immediately he ordered the youth
before him.
To his surprise he found that Toro, instead
of appearing sulen detected, quite cheer
full and optimistic. He greeted the Prince with
so much bonhomie and frankness that Keiki was
puzzled at first to know how to treat him.
"Toro," he said, II have come to decision
regarding you"
''That is good" said Toro at once, "for I
really am becoming interested in my prospects"
"And what are your prospects," said Keiki.
Toro fingered his sash buoyantly, and assumed
the attitude Of gay spark
''Well, if it please you, my lord, should wish
to remain in Choshui, but at peace and liberty,
pray understand"
Keki frowned impatiently, but Toro remained
apparently unconcerned.
'In fact" he added, ingenuously. 'I would
very much like to remain in Choshui guest
such as your excelency in my own province
do assure you, my lord that have not been
treated with the equal hospitality and courtesy
offered to your highness in Catzu."
''It is impossible for you to remain here" said
Keii; "matters have changed"
''Then let me recall certain promise made
to me by your excelency. For my services in
your behalf with my lady cousin in Catzu, you in
return"
He stopped abruptly, held by the expression on
the others face. For the first time he perceived
that the Prince was in unnatural state Of
mind.
''Wistaria, my lord-what of her? You do not
mean to tell me that you failed in your suit"
With a sob in which no tears intermingled
Keilli raised his sword, only to drop it, groaning
inwardly.
Return to your father, Toro, Be warned by
me that this is best"
"But wish to repeat that your highness prom
ised-"
'Iisten. II you remain here, your life will
not be safe Do not further protest / will say
this, that il your lordship does not care to fol-
low my suggestion, 1 shall be forced to eject
YOU or allow my officers to deal with you"
Toro shrugged angry shoulders gesture to
Keiki reminiscent of his mother. The action dis
pleased him. Sharply he clapped his hands. To
the officers answering his summons he said,
briefly
BE good enough to have my Lord of Catzu
taken to Catzu under such escort he may re-
quire" To Toro he bowed perfunctorily: "Good-
day, my lord"
The preparations and activities of the past
few months had brought all within the domina-