The Cairo bulletin., 1909-03-14
f STRONGER
sHAN HATE

: Hat The command rang on
( SHARPLY and the figure skuikin
through the rice field hesitated
was dad in the uniform OF a common
soldier The man was taken direetl.
, TO The tent of the commanding officer
"A deserter, your distinguished high
ness"
The officer looked up from a chess
board. He was a strong. handsome
fellow, but with hard face.
fou, Kurino?" he exclaimed
The prisoner smiled sarcastically.
Even |. Shithiro" he answered.
The other waved his hand impatient,
~. You may 60" he said to the
sergeant Il wish 10 speak with the
prisoner alone few minutes" Then,
as the sergeant Withdrew: "You under.
stand what this involves? | viii see
that the penalty is paid tomorrow
morning at sunrise But greater than
death, you have the disgrace of de-
aertiEg"
kuiino threw back his head scorn-
fully, his eyes flashing
THAT is a lie. Shithiro," he said.
and YOU know it, am not desert.
er | am a Korean. and was seized
and forced into your company unlaw-
fully
Shithiros face did not change.
You were seized on Japanese soil.
Your name is on the roll and you
have tried to desert. THAT is enough"
so il seems but you know why |
was on Japanese soil"
ITO see the daughter of Laio."
slipped inyountarily from the officer. /
He hit his lips
Yes" boldly, ito see Nuyama. the /
daughter OF Laio. the great merchant /
OF Miyoz, Il was with her fathers /
consent, and we were to be married in
a month, II lacks but four days now.
Ihat is why | tried to get away, for /
you have prevented me sending any
word. He was silent a moment. then
went on. contemptuously You could
not harm me in my own country.
Shithiro, for am more powerful there
than you here. So YOU took this way
fon thought I could be removed from
your path in battle, or perhaps in some
other manner know Laio and Il
know Nuyama, and they will not
change. Nuyama has said she loves ,
me. and she viii continue to love me
in spite OF all that you and the world
may do"
Shithiro's hard trembled vlsibly as
he raised it to his eyes. =
You are mistaken, Kurino." he said 4
at length. in a low voice. Il did NOT !
even know You We're in my company {
until few days ago Bat I'm this Z
case frankly. Il am glad. though" 4
note OF doubt coming into his voice. 81
perhaps shall not speak of your dis
grace to NuSama and her father. / :.
may concede you that mercy" I"
kurino smiled Understandings.
Shithiro saw the smile, and his face =
darkened. &
In the guardhouse. with curious. I'M y
friendly eyes no longer watching him q
scornful composure vanished a
This, then, was to BE the end, not oaly =
VI his political advancement in Korea, u
]ut OF that sweeter possibility which o
le had won and must now lose. m
The hours went by until from the q
hitting light he knew that it was after d.
midnight Then the door opened and .
ONE one came in.
'kurino," some one called
kurino sprang TO his feet.
"Shithiro!" he exclaimed. q
Yes, IL have been thinking II o
YER and it is as you say. Nuyama ~
you'd hate me-. Here" thrusting a
aper in kurinos hand. 1T Is an hon.
rable discharge from the army. 1t ~
I'll pass you through the lines. Now O.
o." m,
What" incredulously you would OIL
1t me go free?" a,
Yes yes more harshly; but II is
OF for you, II is for Nuyama. II
we her, too. ! would rather die than .
'r her to think i'll of me- Now go!
o." ~
At the door Kurino looked back. in. "
Shithiro was sguatted NJ
pom the earthen floor. gazing hope o.
ssly at a little square hole through ns
hich the light dropped -