Los Angeles herald., 1906-01-14

eS@1SSZJ automaton. After the first great
shock of Wistaria's revelation had
passed from him, there had come desperate ter
ror and horror which seemed to numb his fac
udties. For several days he was not conscious
OF anything either within or without him. There
was no anguish in his heart or intelligence in his
brain. His memory of events succeeding Vista
ras unrnasking as he believed it, was as vague
as the tangled threads OF dream. He had fall
en- into that apathetic lethargy with which he
mad been afflicted upon his arrest.
he had, it isstrue, uncertain recoleotions of a
place passed on the way, or of halt here and
refreshment there but he could not assert that
they were real. He might have dreamed them.
He could not tell.
Then Keid returned to his normal being. He
awoke as from troubled sleep to world of
torment Could he have slept, and, sleeping,
have imagined the events with which the name
Wlstaria was repulsively associated? No! It
was, alas, all too true. He must bear it. As
the first sharp anguish of his awakening passed
away, there came visions to comfort Keiki.
When what he termed in after years his great
awakening burst upon him, he found himself
walking down muddy road which led, his sense
OF locality told him, south to his province of
Choshui. 1t was raining, 6ercely, sullcnly Al
most with feeling of relief, Keiki found that
he was wet 1t gave him new life and new cour-
age to do some simple elemental thing, such as
drawing his cape tighter, closer about him. Then,
as he battled against the wind and the driving
rain, a fierce Joy came to him. He was wise in
the wisdom of suffering. His life should be de-
voted to the cause. No woman should destroy
the significance life held for him.
Too long had he tarricd with inclination He
had pictured to himself beautiful highway
through life, upon which Wistaria should tread
by his side. She was lost forever. The rough
path, the developing path of struggle, should be
his. He would not falter. He would be true
first to himself, his higher self and then to the
holy cause of his country. Patriotism and the
restoration of rightful rule to the Mkado should
guide him in every act. The events through
which he had passed had consecrated him anew.
His life could not be taken; he could not fail,
until all had been accomplished.
In the new life which he was about to enter
his course would not always be plain; he would
not always be understood For that he must be
prepared.
When the Prince Keiki had thus settled the
past and ordered the future, he began to take
cognizance of outward conditions, as became him
now. 1t was wet, and growing dark. He must
seek shelter for the night. Turning aside from
of the countryside from little house hard by
the path of travel. Although it long past
the hour of their evening meal, the good dwell
ers in the cottage, sent their daughter to the
rear of the house to prepare food for the hungry
Prince.
Sitting alone in a corner, Kcki, waited upon
by the little maiden, found a quiet and comfort
that three days ago he would have thought i'm
possible A strange comfort exhales from per-
fectlv appointed meal after the heart has been
tried. 1t is the acme of despair, the realization
of ones duty to ones self. Keki, absorbed in
these fantastic reflections suddenly became con
scious Of tie fact that for several minutes past
the little maid had been making strange signals
to him. Seeing this, he signed to her to advance.
She did So but in fatering and almost fearful
fashion. When near enough to him to speak
without being overheard, she glanced IN terror
at his face and slipped to the ground where she
prostrated herself at his feet, her head nodding
in frantic motions of servty
"Why, what is this?" calculated the Prince,
displeased.
"Y-your highness!" she gasped.
Speak" said Kei>, steml You appear
desrous of serving me. What is it!'
She rose tremblingly,
"You must not tarry here long" she whisper
ed. 'The spies of the Shotgun are about"
"Ha"
at is broadly reported that the Shining Prince
Keili has escaped his fate. The roads are be-
set. They are tracking his footsteps. Even now
some of them are before the house. Oh, my
lord 7 know YOU to resemble too closely the
Shining Prince for you to lmger here We
tbe whole country-are in sympathy with thee
and would befrend thee, but the shogunate-"
She broke off her fear and distress completely
overpowering her.
KeiIi laid an alert hand upon his sword.
'None NAV take me now" he said, defiantly,
"for am become invnclble"
"Come!" urged the little maid.
"Whither?" inquired the Prince.
Pushing aside the doors at the rear, she led
Keili into the garden. Passing through it, they
came 10 a wall The maid spoke
"Climb this. turn to the west. Go along the
road bit until you come to cross-path Take
that. and you will come out upon YOUR southern
route below the danger point L
There was movement in the bushes, behind
"Oh. all the gods!' she cried. ut is too late,
fearl" .,
threatening, demanded from the bushes. The
Peace to thee I do but bid farewell to my
lover"
A laugh answered.
apo not fear, maiden. We do not disturb COO
ing birds" came from the bushes, and drawn
sword was shifted from hand to hand, carelessly
The warm blood surged about the temples OF
Keli. Because of the perGdy of Wistaria, he
would accept no service from her sex.
81 did not need thy lie maiden" he said.
Then to those in the bushes he shouted:
II am he whom You seek, the Prince Keki
Come take me-"
As he spoke, he hurled his cape TO the ground
and rested his sword with its point upon his san
daled foot Quick as was his action, it was mel