The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-09-15

him: do you wish TO obtain at once
a situation more elevated than that OF
the Damio. and at the same time
glory and honors?"
1T Is for that reason that 7 have
come 70 Yeddo," answered slHrai-
GOmpatcni
well. then. listen 10 me-" said the
courtier. Il could go and inform the
Damio Of a danger which menaces
him, and I alone would be loaded with
these favors, bnt wish you to par
ticipate in obtaining these honors and
glory. Ten intimates of the Damio
have formed a plot 20 steal his son
this night with the OBJECT OF obliFipg
the latter to recognize the succession
of his father in favor of another per-
sen whom they favor. I an cognizant
OF these plans because I pretended to
participate In them. / am physically
feeble. You, on the contrary. are
brave, and a past master in the art
OF handling the sword II you wish
we viii both 20 and guard the door
OF the sleeping chamber OF the son
of the Damio. and If you kin all the
conspiratOrs remembe the numerous
favors taat VIII fan on you like rain"
Shirai-Gompatchi Immediately arose
ana answered:
Ihis. indeed, compensates me for
all which 1 have suffered. Let us be
gone
The eourtier gave the young man
MS sword. Never before had Shirai-
Sompatchi found It so light
The two friends placed Themselves
on duty. At midnight the conspirstors
appeared
Halt there. traitorsr cried sbirsi-
',oHli'atehi' coming out from the
shadow and PIunging his sword I'm
tle breast Of the first conspIrator
ana likewise attacked the others. ana
Nhen the ten were laid out on the
ground ne suddenly felt a sharp pain
in his tack and fell unconscious
When Gompatchi cane to HIS
senses again he saw by the light IF
the lanterns tfat the Damlo was he
ing brought, accompanied by his SUITE
ana the guard. Beside the Damio WIS
the friend of The young man. the
couFtler, who spoke in these terms.
Having heard that these traitors
had formed project TO steal your son.
l alone put myself on guard near the
door OF his chamber. I am feeble hat
peng sure Of my affection for Won
this gave me superficial strength
killed ten of these traitors. who NOT
withstaHding all, were brave. for. as
You can see, they have all been stab
bed In front As II the eleventh he
Ike a coward fleeing. He was not
worthy Of being stabbed by an honor
able sword I drove a poignard IN his
back and he rolled on the n ound. And
do you know who Is this coward. this
poltroon? My best friend, him whom
loved like brother"
This base wretch hes" cried shirai-
Gompatchi at Is I who have killed
the plotters. 1t is sufficient In order
70 convince yourself to look and see
TO whom belongs the sword covered
with blood"
TIE treason and cowardice YOU add
lies and calumnies," cried Damio with
disgust 1T is not necessary to know
10 whom belongs the bloody sword as
yours is brilliant as a mirror. 1t
speaks against you"
shirai-Gompatchi understood then
why his sword had appeared so light.
The artfUi cOGrtier had given him his
sword IN the darkness and he. Shirai-
Gompatehl, had covered the sword OF
his perfdious friend with the blood of
the piotters. The young man. In tears.
cried
What perhdious mani"
AS for you. said the Damio 70 the
eourtIer. "the fact that YOU have
wounded your friend IN devotion TO
myself only makes you appear more
honorable"
The courtier bowed very low and
said.
LAS guilty as shirai-Gompatehi is I
VIII continue 10 love him and pity
him. am ready 70 act thus with
any Of your enemies. were It even my
own brother"
The Damio was deeply touched by
these words.
Il do not wish to put you to new