Los Angeles herald., 1906-02-11

turned to the pure Shinto religion, which made
Japan land Of gods whose chief was the En-
peror, would not permit the Kioto palace to re-
semble fortress. It seemed rather temple,
IN the atmosphere created in outside eyes by
its carved exterior.
The whole interior grounds, in which we're the
residence buildings, were separated from the
city streets only by heavy wall, rectangular in
its completed course. Within, the foliage, set
back from the street, rose high above the walls,
lrtermingled with occasional roof-top.
The wall was entered at intervals by guarded
gates, whose porticos protruded into the street.
Set out into the street, upon broad stone plat
form, approached by a multitude Of tiny steps,
were two tall pillars, about each of which twined,
carved in the material itself, scaly serpent.
ABOVE the serpent in n carved galaxy Of death,
were the claws, heads, and bones of wild beasts.
Between the pillars and the edge of the wall,
and forming the sides of the portico, were two
square, wooden panels, upon which were carved
dragons, trumpets, and the long curvedbodied
stork Resting upon the top of the carved pill
lars and extending over the wall was the sinu-
Gus roof, each of whose lines seemed snake
curled in its tortuous travel path.
The roof, made of highly polished bamboo, but
preserving its natural form, the little logs being
laid side by side, swept up to a curling point.
Over the portico entrance of the gates two
carved hideously grim faces leered into the
faces of any descending the steps Still higher
up, under the shadow of the gabled roof, was
the portrait of the Emperor.
The buildings within, set in their gardens and
pleasure grounds, had in their roof lines the ap-
pearance of the gates. They were Of two or
three Stories over each of which gabed, GU
riously wrought shelf projected from the sides,
as shield from the weather The windows,
small and narrow, were set together in pairs.
In the centre of each long side on the lower
floor projecting angle, covered by triangular
a tof1 ~,,,
gave admittance to the rooms within.
Before the carved gate in the eastern wall the
mormon that had brought the Prince of Mort
from Yedo discharged its passengers Echizen
and Mort passed into the interior. Once within,
Mort, who had approached the structure with
the feelings Of devout Japanese saw that the
buildings were set closely together, making an
inner rectangular court. in whose exact centre
n house more pretentious than its neighbours
Stood This he took to be the residence of Kom-
mel Tenno. the Mikado.
To his surprise, Echizen directed his way to-
wards small edifce set quite without the
quadrangle, and of a style more simple and
humble than any within the grounds
why are we going this way%' Mort asked.
"The Mikado must reside there" indicating the
house within the rectangular circle.
"He should live there, it is true for that is
the official residence of his Majesty; but being
a suspicious man, he lives in the house least
suited to be his residence" returned Echizen.
AS if in keeping with the supposed incognto
character Of the house, there guards
before it, while the front of the official residence
was crowded with sword-wearers.
At the threshold Mort paused.
"Come" said Echizen
"But moment" Mori said, in low tone
whose last sound died away in a note OF sad,
prophetic fear.
Enclosure, and then to the skies. The night
mists had passed away, it is true from the sight,
but there was in the air mostness which the
feeby awakened sun-rays had not yet dissipated.
A tear of expectation stood in natures eye.
Calm and peaceful the day was dawning, without
sound to rufhe the gentle awakening Of drowsy
nature. The purple-yellow tints crept up from
beyond the horizon, touching the tops of trees
and buildings in soft sign of later imperative
sign of action.
Mort barred his head. AS he stood there, the
longing of the patriotic soul surging through
deeds the winds gently laved his brow in the
cooling Of unalterable nature. Mort was pray
ing to his gods, for his country, to the war
god If need be, and to Kwannon, the goddess of
mercy
Then. at the kiss of the wind mood. a
thought, picture came to Mori, overwhelming
in its potency. The Lady Wistaria The Lady
Wistaria Her name seemed to sing in his brain.
In flash of thought he realized that, however
fierce the action, however great the striving,
however complete the attainment, there
Joy in life or death ever for him. The calm of
accomplishment meant the wreck of hope.
With a fierce attack upon this memory, Mort
drove his faculties back to their duty.
"I am ready" he said.
The two passed within.
A sort of confidential valet stopped them in
the anteehamber. He said:
!. "The Serene Son of Heaven is closeted with
my Lord of Aidzu."
He turned, indicating closed door.
"You Sec" whispered Echizen, when the SER
wants back was turned-"you see they have lost
no time"
Then to the servant
"You may announce to his Majesty that it is
], the Prince of Echizen."
As the servant disappeared behind the door,
Mor, on whose brow slight contraction had
come, seizing Echizen roughly by the arm, forced
him into the chamber beyond, the secret resort
of the Emperor Kommei Tenno.
At the noise Of their entrance the slight man
who had been pacing up and down the chamber
turned in nervous apprehension, his hand seek
ing uncertainty the naked dagger at his waist.
The Prince Aidzu maintained the position as
sumed by him earlier in the interrupted inter
view. He was standing easily in an attitude of
apparent assurance. An evil smile, meant for
Echizen, played over his features as he regarded
the future premier and his present rival, for the
diseoncerting smile of my Lord Aidzu was a
trick usual with him whenever an enemy sur
prised him with his master. IL was meant to
convey to an intruder ntimaton Of an under
standing which might not have been reached
prior to the interruption. Echizen met il with
the greatest indifference.
For the first time in his short period of Wig
crous effort in behalf of his Mikado Mort stood
in the presence of the man who was the focus
and elimination, the terminal point, of his
most honored principle. He saw a slight form
which could not be the bodily temple of the vi
tally of genius IL was that of man scarcely