Los Angeles herald., 1906-02-11

- NJ
6S14Sl all arrangements for the issue and ex-
sS2G&0 ecutlon of the order promised by the
Mikado.
IL was agreed between the two and their I'm.
Periafst allies that when the bell within the
hmperors private belfry should sound, the
transport OF troops and cannon to Shimonoseki,
III Onoshui, should begin. When the hour
STRUCK, vast army of laborers should move in
tne same direction, to build notifications under
the direction of Mori, for there z foreign feet
was lying
IL was also agreed that everywhere within
sound OF the bell the order of the Emperor for
tne expulsion OF the foreigners should be herald
ed and placarded by agents in waiting for this
purpose.
Inc Emperor, in spite Of the protests of Aidzu,
whom he distrusted but dared not remove az
yet from his governorship Of the city. still held
to his promise. HaviAe once gained that prom
Use, Echizen had troubled him as little as posi-
bic, knowing that to succeed he must seek the
Emperor last of all.
Nor, on his part, had sent to the forces he
had ordered to march on Yedo, other commands
that babe them halt until he himself should Join
them. They would be the flower of his force
against the foreigner.
Knowing that Aidzu would interfere with his
own person, if need be, to prevent the issuing of
the edict of expulsion, Echizen on the afternoon
of the day decided upon, caused it to be whis
pered about the court that two DAYS hence he
would give the signal. He thought thus to put
Aidzu off his guard, for he knew that the sho-
gunate meant nothing by its formal request of
the Mikado Meeting popular demand, it had
advocated the Punishment Of foreigners through
diplomatic negotiation which signifed little.
T.1s. ILL., i
ports, and thought it extremely unlikely that
the Mikado would issue any expulsion DEGREES
in response to their statement.
That night Bfori and Echizen met the En-.
peror by secret appointment. Aidzu was. not
in sight. The three took the way to the belfry
which stood near the outer wall on the western
side of the court Enclosure. The path lay
through garden little used save by the EN-.
peror alone. Down the hillside it went through
field of iris to the temple belfry, a low build
ing set on the ground, not in a tower.
The Emperor was still doubtful, even while
on the way to issue the order.
"Is it the best thing to do?" he repeated, fret
fully.
"The only thing" replied Mort, firmly.
"There is no other course" insisted Echizen
The wind, stirring in the tree-tops, swayed the
shadows goomily from side to side.
"What is that?" exclaimed the Emperor, halt
ing in alarm.
"Only the wind, SIRE" answered Mort
"Come," repeated Echizen.
Arrived at the belfry the Emperor, gathering
his cloak closely about him. stepped gngerly
upon its broad platform, and stood there doubt
fully regarding the swaying iron chain, from
which was suspended, close to the bell, the
heavy metal hammer.
81 am to draw this back" mumbled Kommei,
stupidity.
"You are to draw it back as far as the chain
will permit, your Majesty" answered Mori. "Do
beg your Majesty, ring; sound the signal at
once"
"ouickl" whispered Mori, excitedly. "Ring,
sire-ring.'
"Ring. sire!" repeated Echizen, frantically.,
But the Emperor was staring with fascinated
gaze into the face of Aidzu, who stood beside
him.
"Do nothing of the kind. sire he panied
ruin to the empire"
ut means ruin to your enemies, SIRE" cried
Echizen.
"It means DEATH" said Aidzu.
at is the doom of the shogunate," cried Mort
Still the Emperor hesitated and shivered
Again there was a sound of running feet Sud
denly boyish figure leaped into the group of
men and sprang upon the belfry platform. A
quick hand drew back the swinging hammer to
the full length of the chain. Then releasing it,
the hand shot the hammer straight and true at
the bells heart
The signal, reverberating heavily, far-sounding,
foated into the distance. filling the air with its
sombre zoom! gohn! gohn! gohn!
A slender boy knelt at the Emperor's feet.
"Your Majesty commanded me to ring" said
voice.
Mort peering forward recognized in an in
slant the boy Jiro. great lump welled up in
his throat, choking him with the intensity of
his emotion.
''Treasoni Kill him!" shrieked Aidzu "Your
Majesty gave no such command"
Nettled at the air of constant authority about
Aidzu. the Emperor forgot his caution. Per-
hans. TOD, the deed of the boy had touched him.
inst as IL had relieved him of embarrassment.
'I SO commanded" he said.
'But your Majesty spoke no words" eiaculat
ed the Infatuated Aidzu.
"The Son of Heaven need not speak by word
of mouth TO be understood" was the exasperat
ing and perfectly dignihed response Of the Mi
kado.
Forgetting himself in his rage, Aidzu turned
to Echizen and Mort.
81 will thwart your plans yet, be assured, my
lords"
Mori drew himself up proudly, and throwing
back his head, surveyed the governor contemptu
ously
at is too late" he said. "Iistenl"
From all quarters of the city about the palace
there came the sound Of stirring movement. AT
first the noises mingled in confusion and were
indistiuglishable. Gradually, as their several
origins receded and drew apart, they became ca
pabe of separate identification. OF to the west
large body Of horsemen were iiercely. gallop.
inQ. To the east the tread of men marching in
regular formation shook the ground Farther