Los Angeles herald., 1906-01-07

would be without honor. Therefore lay aside
your unworthy fears and assure me that you
viii carry out my wishes"
II shall do so, ani-san' (elder brother), she re-
piled, somewhat brokenly
That is ALL then. Why do you waitY
For n letter signed by you as executioner
stating that the execution has been postponed in
definitely. We must put Toro's safety for the
next few days beyond doubt"
Hastily writing few words upon paper, the
samurai handed it TO his sister, who seized it
eagerly. Then, having examined the scroll care
fully, she murmured few words Of thanks and
prepared to leave the room. The samurai stayed
her.
Zone moment. BY whom do you send this Da
per to Choshu?"
II have two courers."
well, but one of these samurai must attend
you to Catzu"
Certainly"
"Then only one can be sent to Choshui."
But why so? 1 shall not leave here until
my couriers return with intelligence as to the
fate of my SON."
''I can assure you, my lady, that your couricrs
will not return, and I should advise you to part
with but one of the two samurai attending YOU
Why"
"The Mori people will not let this courier de-
part. rest assured unless he divulge the hiding
place of their prince. This no samurai would
ever do If your courier has not the wit, there
fore, to deceive the Mori, am very much afraid
his life will be endangered by this undertaking. -
And what samurai, inquired the lady, quick
~, would not welcome the chance of thus Civ
ing up his life in the service of his lord? What
/ have to decided now is, which of the two sa-
mural to send, for each will claim the privilege
of the undertaking"
What are their namcs?'
Sir Nishmua Matsue and Sir Takcmoto Genji
The former has been in my lords service for
twenty years. and is SO trusted by him that
whenever | am forced to travel alone. as at the
present time, my lord intrusts me to his especial
You are already acquainted with the his
tory of the other, Sir Genji. He one of your
own comrades in Choshui, but after your exile
he deserted the NIori and became a ronin After
wards my lord pressed him into our service, and
he became attached personally to Lady Wistaria
You will see, therefore, that it is a difficult mat
ter for me to choose between these two brave
gentlemen"
"Not at all. There is not the slightest doubt
in my mind as to which is the most fit for the
service. Bid the samurai Genji come hither, if
you please.
A. few minutes later the big samura Genii
and Shimadzu were bowling deeply to each other.
From their low bows of silent courtesy it was
hard to believe that these two men had once
been the closest of friends and comrades in arms
Now they met again after many years of separa-
ton, yet neither exhibited that emotion which
lay at the bottom of their hearts Shimadzu did
not even allow opportunity for the usual ex-
change of compliments, but went straight to the
point
''A1y good friend, your lady, my honorable sis
ter" said he "has an august mission for you to
perform, but fraught with exceeding great
danger, and of a delicate and diplomatic nature
withal.'
The samurai bowed calmly. as though the fact
of the danger were rs Indifferent a matter to him
as the mission itself.
I'm fact she wishes you to carry word to
Choshui of the postponement of Prince Keiki's
execution. / need not point out to YOU the
dangers of such mission. The DIori will insist
upon your revealing the place of Imprisonment
of their prince and upon your refusing TO do so
will take drastic measures to compel you These
perIs, however, will be to your liking, | am
sure.
ITO my liking, that is so,'' said Genji "but--''
=, WHAT" interrupted the Lady Evening Glory.
you hesitate! You do not set off at once!"
II do not hesitate, my lady" replied the sa-
mural. bowling respectfully. ''I refuse. I do
not set off at once because I, am not going
The Lady Evening Glory could scarcely believe
her ears. Never in her memory had a samurai
refused to do the bidding of his lord or lady.
That Genji, of all samurai should do so, astoun-
ded her. Nevertheless she brought herself to
listen to his amazing words.
"NIy lady, long before entered the service of
my Lord OF Catz was a ronin, an independent
samurai who owed allegiance to no lord or
prince ] was induced to enter your service not
for love of your lord or desire to ingratate my
self with the Shogun powers for, though a de
serter for personal reasons | was of the clan
of Choshu, and an Imperialist at heait!'
"Such insolence" said the lady, fliriously
"shall be punished with thy insignificant head !"
"Tsh!" interposed her brother, angrly "Per-
NIT good friend to speak I have a liking
and understanding for his words"
"As i have said" repeated Genii, at was
neither for love of thy lord nor his cause that
| entered his service, but because / desired to
be near TO- and to serve with my life. if neces-
sary, the orphaned daughter of my old friend
and conrade the Lady Wistara."
at is well" said the Lady Evening Glory.
sharply, "that you did not acquaint my Lord
Catzu with all this. If my memory serves me
correctly you came to Catzu with great protes-
tations and promises of allegiance and loyalty
10 his lordship."
"And" said Genj during the time that I
have served the Lord Catzu, there has been no
samurai whose allegiance has been more IN
swerving than mine"
"And yet" said the lady, scornfully "at the
first test the allegiance you boast of is found
wanting.
II respectfully beg TO call your attention. my
lady, to the error and injustice you commit in
making such a remark. In following my inclina-
ton at this present time | expect to be dis
charged by his ordship, I shall submit my
resignation to him. Under the circumstances, /
am once more free samura, and being out of
service l am at perfect liberty to serve whom
! please Nevertheless, | shall take delight in
obeying any commands you may be pleased TO
bestow when / am at liberty to do So AT pres
ent l am not at liberty"
L chn OBJ xvif I'D