Los Angeles herald., 1906-01-14

the Prince heiki and the Lady Wistaria, attend
ed by the samurai Genj entered the homey
wedding apartment, they found small group
pale and solemn, awaiting them. 1t consisted of
the Lord and Lady Catzu and who was
stranger to keiki, but whom he knew TO be the
father of the Lady Wistaria
The waiting party bowed very low and SOL
cmnly to those who had just entered Their
greeting was returned with equal gravity and
grace. There was pause--a hush. Keiki look
cd about him inquiringly, and then he shvered
The true soIemnity Of the occasion dawned upon
him so that even the near joy of possessing Wis
taria at last passed from his mind. He was
about to join through marriage two families who
hitherto had had for each other nothing save
hatred and detestation.
Timid and pale as his glance was, he scracely
dared to look at the Lady Wistaria, though he
knew she was SO weak and faint that the samu-
raj Genji had to support her.
Somewhat sharply, the voice of the Lady
Evening Glory broke the silence.
"Why do we waltz"
The Lord Catzu stirred uneasy, glancing
from the bridal couple to his wife, and then to
the inscrutable face of Shimadzu.
IF | may be permitted to remark he said
opologetically, "the Lady Wistaria is certainly
garbed unbeftting her rank and race"
"Chutl" said his wife, angrily, ''you would de-
lay matters for such trife? Every moment
counts now uSdNlSC our son. VIII you let such
an insignificant matter rs the dress of your I'm.
worthy niece hasten the possible death Of our
belovedE
"Whcn it is her wedding-dress, yes" said
Catzu, stubbornly. 'Alay / be stricken blind
before l witness such disgrace brought upon
my honorable niecc's dignity. She must be
married as BELTS her rank, repeat"
A sour smile played over the features of the
Lady Evening Glory
"Ihat is true. Well, her rank is that of the
Eta" she said taftly
Having found the courage to disagree with his
lady, Catzu now set her at complete defiance
He marched towards the door.
"Very well, then. | refuse to witness such an
outrageous ceremony, The lady may have Eta
kindred, but do not forget that she has also
the blood of royalty in her veins"
His consort could hardly suppress her fury.
Il appeal to you, honored brother" she said.
"How shall it beT
"And T." exploded Catzu, who was in an evil
and contrary temper appeal TO you, my Lord
Of Nori," and he bowed profoundly to the
Prince.
Shimadzu made no response. His glance met
that of the troubled Prince, Keiki flushed under
his penetrating eyes Then he spoke with grace
ful dignity, bowling meanwhile to the trembling
Wistaria.
LET her be garbed" he said, "as BELTS the
daughter of her father and the bride OF a Prince
Of Mori."
There was silence for space Then Shimadzu
made an imperative gesture to Genii, who gently
led the girl from the chamber, followed by the
ongrily resigned Lady Evening Glory
The three men, now alone, waited in strained
silence for Wstarias return Straight and stilf,
with heads somewhat bent to the floor they re-
NAMED standing in almost identical attitudes.
Gradually, however, Catzu broke the tension by
am attempt TO relieve his excessive nervousness,
Resting first on one foot and then on the other,