Los Angeles herald., 1909-05-23

robbers would trouble themselves to steal poor
things and they would have the heart, sure I"
1T is not the things" said Kamoyo slowly, 1T is
you yourself, Hama san. You are-wel-too young
and too pretty be left alone. Come, little one there
is other way. Let change your sad clothes and
make bundle of your futon for l fear l have no
spare one to lend you and will shut up the house
and get down to the village before dark
Kamoyo pressed Hana's hand kindly. you shall
back the first thing in the morning if you like
she said
o'clock whitening the little openings under the
which not covered by the wooden shutters
Hama sat up and looked round her in the unfamiliar
ROOM A great longing for her home came upon
her. and she rose noiselessy, dressed herself and
rolled her blue bedding into a tidy bundle in ono
1t would be graceless return for hospitality to
waken her kind hosts to leave the house open for
Kamoyos stores be red but she thought she could
slip out by the earthqLake-door and close it again
without disturbing anyone The air hot and
close in the crowded house, and she was longing for
her heritage OF the mornings freshness Very gently
carrying her little clogs in her hand she reached the
door, which opened on a yard at the back of the
house. She found the fastening in the dark and in a
moment she was out in the white freshness of the
dawn.
All, how glad she was to leave the house behind and
to take the climbing path! On its lower windngs the
thought came back to her that Lima had walked there
by her side carrying her heavy farngs 500 kindly but
rev Gays ago. Heaven protect him, wherever he
spoke. Then she looked before her and saw that few
turns more would bring her in sight of the empty
cottage, and of that new silent dwelling place under
the pines, where minstratons of hers would ever
be needed And she turned very pale and sat down
on stone to recover her strength and to emb-
ling before she encountered the sight.
She went and stood there for a moment and kneel-
ing down, touched her forehead on the ground in
silent greeting. Then she rose quickly and returned
TO the house. for her heart was aching and her for
Htude scarcely fulgrown as yet.
Grandfather, dear Grandfather" she cried II am all
alone, there is no one to tell me what to do Show
me the safe roadp
Was this the answer? A sound of many feet COM
ing down the pass lters and porers defl;ng ont on
led To har
rose IN perturbation for they pausing now then
some order from one of the litters them directly
toward her Travellers, to-day of all days Then a
pretty face was smiling at her, and Princess Chiye
descended from her palanquin and beckoned to Hama
10 approach Two ladies accompanied her, and one
of them came quickly forward and said The Mya-
sama wishes to speak to you. Musume, come"
Hama obeyed trembling little. 1t all so sud-
den and her thoughts had been of far other things
than princesses and adies-n-waiting. She came and
bowed her head to the ground and waited for the
visitor to speak.
land have you any pretty baskets to sell to-day1"
Hama looked up and answered, as politeness COM
manded.
at is WE'LL Condescension. My stupidity rejoces at
your Nobilitys coming"
The Princess asked Hama to accompany her to her
palace, Hama gladly accepted
When all was done, she slipped away and knelt
moment by her grandfathers grave. you sent the
Princess, Oil SAM she murmured, land obey You
in going with her. Take of me awaysl" Then she
looked up into the great tree whose branches waved
far up in the sunshine and in her misty pantheism
recommended the GEAR grave 10 us care.
AS she came toward the house, calm and hopeful,
Kamoyo's brown face met her coming round corner
under the spreading Her eyes wide with
delight and wonder as Hama told her story.
~And will YOU close the house, Kamoyo San and take
my fntonS for the baby? o Sci San says shall not
need them in the palace. And Oh, please come up
wishes to CO. l think"
-Of course of course! What golden fortune you
have Haq IA San That beautiful rich rich myasam will
thing till you come back.
o Sci San was receiving New Years visitors in
her pretty rooms and Hama had to wait until
they gone. She had just managed to explain
her wish, when the returning carriages were heard
in the courtyard, and Sci San had to hurry away
receive the Princess and assist her to unrobe She
nodded her head to Hama she ran off, and told her
that she should certainly have the permission she de-
sired but it surprise to Hama to be called sud-
denly into the Princess presence few minutes later
Surely there would not yet have been time for her
message to be delivered
No the Princess had taken matters into her own
hands. She radiant with pleasure The Emperor
had gracousy sgnfed his wish that her husband the
Prince (whom Hama had seen but few times and then
in fear and trembling), should make journey to
Europe to attend royal jubilee and his wife was to
go with him They would have to start in a few
days and-oh yes 0 Sci San to come in attendance
Sci San became speechless with delight at this
news and quite forgot her humble rival But the
Princess never forgot anybody
Il will find you another place, Musume," she said
kindly to Hana or perhaps you would like to go home
for while You look pale and the city does not
always suit you mountain childrenH
Hama bowed her head to the ground with your
Augustness's permission" she murmured 81 will go
home for while to mediate your benefits and
pray for your safe return"
At last the train set her down at a waysde station,
where she engaged Jinriksha coole carry her and
her possessions the ten miles that separated her
from the village by the lake He was good-natured,
sturdy fellow, and raced along the country road
fast that it still wanted hour of sunset when the
gray temple roof came in sight. She called halt
and jumped nimbly out of the little vehicle.
Here is your money, Kurumaya San" she said, hold
ing out the fare; now will you please take those
things to the house of Kamoyo San, who keeps the
shop opposite the bath7 And tell her that I, Hama,
her unworthy friend, will foot a little later"
1t would never have struck her to doubt his honesty.
Bu this is love!" cried Hama with great happy tears
in her eyes, 'who could have loved us so?"
Then lima was standing before her. holding out
his hands in a perfect rapture of greeting
"Hana, my Hana," he cried, "is it you, and have
you at ast?"
When he caught her in his arms and her head rested
safely on his shoulder she knew that she had come
indeed.