Los Angeles herald., 1906-01-07

garments of the Lady Wistaria."
The Princes face softened at the mere men
ton Of Wstarias name and the look OF impa-
tence passed from his face. For time he
seemed plunged in pleasing reverie. Again ne
questioned the samurai.
"Do you not think it a strange fancy for my
lady to wish to be married here at your house
instead Of at Catzu?"
'Not at all. Your health is such that an ordl-
nary wedding would be harmful besides, think
of the daneer!"
'Well, it is my opinion that the state OF my
health is exaggerated All / need to drive away
my paleness quickly is the open air and the gold
en- sunlight. As for the danger, / was not think
ing of wedding in Catzu, but one in my own
province. / should be perfectly safe there with
my own samura TO protect me, and half-dozen
other southern clans ready TO come to my as
sstance."
81 cannot conceive of your exceency's impa-
tience and dissatisfaction" said Genji, when
recall that you are about to be welded soon, and
to one for whom any prince would be only too
glad to sacrifice everything"
"You are right, Sir Genj Yet is it not
strange that, despite all this, feel melancholy.
I cannot understand it." He paused and turned
on his scat to look back at the samurai. Some
sadness of spirit from my lady herself.
what, the Lady Wistaria? impossible
at is true" said the Prince, thoughtfully.
"Why, she sings half the day like bird"
"Whose heart is broken" quickly ended the
Prince.
''She plays like child
'Who is commanded to rejoice"
''l1cr soul is as gay"
CAS- a prcstess whom the black temple shuts
from life
"Pugh! She laughs"
"With tears in her throat" again the Prince
finished the sentence. ''Yes, it is So | tell YOU
] am not deceived.
Your affection my lord, causes you to imagine
things that do not exist"
NO my affection but increases the acuteness
of my perceptions.
IF you will permit an unworthy vass5 to Ven
ture an opinion. I would say, my lord that for
ono about to wed in day, your eXcellency wears
a most funereal countenance.'
The Prince arose abruptly, as though he would
shake off some oppression that beset him.
"Lct me tell YOU my good fellow" he said,
approaching Genj more closely, when one we
love appears to us to be cloaliing behind mask
of painful gayety some secret sadness, the world
is apt to wear hagGard aspect which ones own
self must reflect If you repeat that my i'm
agination but conjures mp such fancies, then !
will say that ] must be insane
Silently for the space of few moments, the
two men remained looking into each others
faces. They started simultaneously at the soft
patting of approaching footsteps.
Zone request, Sir Genj whispered Keiki as
the footsteps drew nearer. "NNill YOU for once
relax your guard and permit me to be alone
with"
But"
''Nou can guard my person just as well outside,
and should any one attempt to attack me you
will certainly be made aware of the fact by
whatever noise pair of lungs can force
'TIer aunt would consider it unseemly," said
the samurai, with some hesitation.
81 do not make it a request, said the Prince,
patiently. but merely beg the favor"
4 light tap on the door, and the next moment
Wistaria had entered the room Her arms were
full of flowers flaming red and yellow blossoms
that grew wild on the hills. while about her gar
ments chung the odors of the fields and the noun
tain She was damp and sweet with the morn
ING dew shining on her hair. clinging to her
face and arms.
"What," cried Gen. "You have been out al.
ready"
She nodded. smiling wistfully over the flowers
which the Prince silently took from her arms and
set upon the floor. His eyes never relaxed their
gaze from her sweet face.
| "Mv lords chamber she said as she shook
the dew and few cnging leaves from her kim
ono. lis so barren OF the beauty of summer that
thought the fields might spare something of
their wealth.
Keiki turned an imploring glance TO Gcnji
The samura turned hastily to the door.
"Wel then" said Genji. "I shall go and
bring Won some honorable water for the flowers -
The moment Genii had left the room the
Prince seized Wistaria's hands impulsvely.
''Wistaria," he cried, 'now have some ques-
tons to put to you"
! One startled. upward glance at him she gave.
He took her face in his hands, compelling her
eyes to meet his own.
"Why are your eyes so dark! he asked.
She attempted to smile.
"The gods" she began.
"No." he interrupted, knowing IN advance
what she was about to say "but here, and here y
He passed his fingers gently over the dark shod
ows that framed the pitiful eyes
"Have they not always been so?' she asked
with a pathetic attempt at lightness which did
not deceive him.
''No," he replied, almost vehemently. "When
first the gods blessed me with the Joy of be-
holding YOU they were not so"
'rWell" she murmured, tremulously. 81 am
becoming honorably older. That is all
''No, that is not the reason" he cried, pas
sionately. "A few months could not have
wrought the difference, nor the other changes
perceive in your face. The rose is gone. You
are pale aud too frail. Your llps-ah, l cannot
bear it!'
With an exclamation of pain he broke off.
! An expression of fright appeared in her face
Her hands clutched about his.
"My lord" she cried ''you--you do not think
that THAT have ceased TO be beautiful?"
"No. no. You are more beautiful than ever
You could not be otherwise than beautiful. nv
beloved, but YOU appear to me frail that I
am beginning to believe you some spirit. Tell
me do tell me what has wrought this change in