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

noble suicides Il lau saved MS anCes-
tors from the shame of captivity.
1T viii tender me also the same
service" said the young man. with
II / willsbuy either honor, riches, or a
noble death"
"Audacity IS a powerful force. II it
is directed by prudence" said the old
man. smiling, and he invited shirai-
Gompatahi TO pass the night with
them.
Fatigued by the journey. the young
man did not allow himself to be urged
to accept this offer. Hardly had
Sharai-Gompatchi thrown himself on
the ground when he was overtaken
with profound sleep.
In the middle of the night the young
man was awakened By low voice
which whispered TO him, Young man,
arise and fee"
He opened his eyes painfully, and
saw by the feeble light of the stars,
the beautiful young girl whom he had
seen weeping.
Young man. arise and fee. repeat
ed she, in a voice resembling the rust
ling of the fear which flowers have
when they feel the breath OF the cold
morning. Escape while there is yet
time. ! heard them eonspiring 70 take
your sword IN the early morning, while
you slept II you awoke, they were to
XIII YOU
rs that possible?' cried shirai-
Compatehi. They know, however,
that my only fortune is this sword.
IT swear it by my father who is not
dead. answered the young girl
shirai-Gompatchi arose with one
bound. as If be had been bitten by
viper
THE couards; they dream Of rob
bling from their neIghbOr that which
seems to them to have the most value
Oh. we'll; I will take from them that
which is more precious than all
And drawing his sword the young
man with rage struck off their heads
while they were sleeping
Then Shirai-Gompatchi covered with
blood, said calmly to the young girl:
Pardon me. lovely flower OF which
am ignorant the name, pardon me for
having killed your parents, for having
caused YOU so much sorrow.
Il am called Komourasaki ana
swered she. blushing. Il am not
lovely flower, but only a flower for the
buttonhOIe. which will die after IL has
been warmed by the sun of love IL is
not pain but joy which you have
caused me. THESE men are brigands.
They took me from the house Of my
father in order to demand Of him
large ransom. Ny father is very rich.
He is not dead. Convey me to my
father. so that ne can thank you.
Shlrai- Gompatcai conveyed the beau
tiful young gi-l to her father, who re-
ceived her with great JOY.
MY daughter has told me all de-
clared the father Of KOmOurasali TO
the young man. after he had prepared
to depart. and I know how / can
thank you. You have given me my
life. In exchange 1 viii give you the
most precious treasure which ] pos
sess. 1 am very rich. and my daughter
has confessed that she has been
pleased with YOU since she saw you.
Take her for your wife, and remain
with US.
sairai-Gompatchi answered with
pride:
''Your daughter also pleeses me very
much Your money is of very little
Importance to me. But / do not wish
that the sword OF my father should
become rusty because Of my idlsuess.
IT would be shameful in me. I viii
first acquire glory and honor, and then
return to you. Alden"
And ne parted, not without feeling
that something was being torn from
his heart.
III.
Because of his bravery and his no
bIlity. Shirai-Gompatchi made numer-
GUS friends at the court OF the Damio
of Yeddo
A ceurtier whom the Damio es-
teemed ard loved for his intelligence
and attention became particularly at
taehed to Shirai-Gompatchi.
One night at late hour this cour-
tier entered tho chamber where ShIrai-
Gompatohi was sleeping and said to