Los Angeles herald., 1906-01-07
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IgGEEI

II " a very firm clasp Of her hand, "iist
k,zy-si now / insisted that the samurai Genii
lee{GI1 should cease his futile deception by
useless prevarication. And now I asl.
you, beg you, not to hide under cloak of lev
ity any secret trouble which you may have aud
which |, as your future husband, am entitled to
know"
The mirror slipped from the girls hand sho
stared at it hopelessly.
Now answer me-" continued her lover in.
sstently. "Is it not true that you are in trou-
ble"
Yes" she said, in low voice; "yes, but"
Her voice broke, and she turned her face from
his gaze "But, alas, cannot tell it to you, my
lord"
NAY, do so," he entreated, with such plead
ing in his voice that she came back to his arms
and nestled against his breast with a little
wounded cry.
"I am waiting he said softly
81 cannot tell you," she murmured against his
breast.
''Why not?" he inquired, quietly.
In her restlessness she broke away
from his again. Her hands noiselessly clap
ped each other repeatedly She could not
main still.
"Why not?' repeated the Prince.
There are many reasons" she said, in low
them.
"Nay, think little while, and see whether
your heart will not suggest to you that the mere
telling of your troubles to me may be their
luton. Remember I shall be your honorable hus
band very soon"-he smiled a trihe sadly-"and
then shall command you to tell me the truth,
you know"
Wistaria sat very still now. Ever since Geni
had come upon her that first day with The
wounded Prince in her arms Wistaria had been
a prey to the utmost despair and anguish The
infinite faith and trust of her lover filled her
continually with greater horror of her deceit,
for she could not forget not for moment, the
part she had been forced to play in the undoing
of the Prince. How could she add to her other
iniquites by inveighing this noble and generous
hearted Prince into marriage which would not
fail to debase him? And yet she had no alter
native. for otherwise his life would be the for
felt, Was it possible for her to tell him all this?
Would it be, as he had said, solution of her
misery to confess her own deceit and warn him
of the danger in which he Stood that of marry
| ing into an outcast family?
As she thought thus sadly, the gentle voice Of
her lover brought the tears to her eyes. But
she held them back, almost feverishly placing .
greater distance between herself and the Prince.
In that moment when his tender eyes held hers
in their gaze while he trustfuly waited for her
to speak, she was ready to tell him everything.
'You are about to tell me ALL" he said, as
though he understood her unspoken volition. do
not mistrust me. Believe in my alteration for
you. Give me thy heart completely
A sudden shiverng took possession of Vista
ria Instead of speaking, she drew her sleeve
across her face. characteristic habit with her
when in despair. Gradually her head sank for
ward until she knelt at his feet in an attitude
OF humility.
Nay do not kneel' he cried, NOR hide thy
face from Do not so, bcseech the"
Having permitted his assistance in rising, she
freed herself from his encircling arm.
Look at me, my lord" she cried. Tell me,
what do you see?"
"a maiden as beautiful as the n-goddess and
as good
NAY. then. do not speak so. Look at me
again, my lord. Have you then found such pleas
ure in my beauty that you have not even re-
marked my garments?
"Your garments!'
BewiIderment was in his face
"Yes. Are these the silks, my lord, worn by
the ladies' of your rank"
''Nay, but though l cannot conceive why you
should be garbed in cotton, yet see disgrace
in the fact Perchance the samurai Genji' is hon
orably poor, and you are so courteous as TO dress
in homely garments while guest of his honor
| able household"
''I am not guest of his household, my lord"
! "But-"
81 know it has been told you so. Neverthe-
less. this is the house of my father
81 do not understand" he exclaimed.
He added Immediately, '1f it is that your hon
orable father is poor"
"You are wrong, my lord My father is in the
service of the government. His remuneration is
ample"
"Then do explain to me the reason why you
are so garbed and situated"
because it is so enacted by the law" she
said.
"The law!"
"I am an Eta woman"
"An Eta! Impossible"
"That was the offense for which my father
was banshed--because of his marriage to an
Eta maiden"
The Prince started at her ashast. She stood
still as if made Of stone Her lovers silence was
due to his repugnance at this revelation.
To BE Continued Next Sunday