The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1911-05-10

he would feast Ais eyes upSa The
beautiful writing. But e Wa not
long before he discovered that men
were watching him. ,ns ne became
filled with fear. Why should ho b
watched? Had be done . guilty
thing?
so greatly did the fear SVEN IN
him that he decided to take the letter
back to the place where he had found
It. and drop It again in the road.
But when he got to the place and
looked for . last time at the vritine.
1t give him such longing to keen Il
that he thrust 1t into his breast AGAIN
ana hurried back to his shop.
That night . man came to ses
Kimaga.
Are you Kimasa. the maker Of
vases?' he said.
kimasa. all trembling. replied that
he was.
Then said the man, I have come
to you with high purpose. You have
letter which does not belong to
you. Give 1t to me-
Does It belong to your asked
kimasa. his desire putting armor on
his fear.
THAT is not to BE- asked. replied
the man. I am samurai. For the
glory Of Nippon you mus give me the
letter.
But kimaga did not wish to lee
the letter 60. :HdR do you know that
have itr he said. You have not
seen IT,
1t 10 enough that I know said
the man. Three days I allow you. II
Dy then the letter has not been placed
on the altar Of the war-god. in the
shrine Of Samiya. then you will be A.
sassinated.'
with that the man went away.
kimaga was now almos' dead with
fright. For the first day he did moth
Ing but weep. The second day he put
on mourning and set his affairs IN
order. The third day he held the let.
ter in his hand for many hours and
filled his mind with the beauty Of the
writing. He could not give It up.
Rather would he die. And at last ho
placed It In q lacquer box and buried
1t deep at the foot Of the largest cher
~ tree in his garden.
He arose to 60 back into his
house. an his head was bowed over
with terror. You see. he felt that
many eyes were watching him from
the nearby walls. an he thought hO
heard breathings and the whispers Of
strangers. What should he do novH
He dare not advance; he dare not
stay where he was. So exceeding af.
frighted was he that he groaned
aloud. From all about him came
groans that answered his. Once more
he groaned. and once moro his ears
were filled with the answers.
Then he took one step toward his
house. Nothing happened. He took
another step. an his knees they SHOOK
like the palsy. The breathings an
whisperings seem, oh. % much nearer
now. But he muster all his strength
an put out his foot for the third step
vengeance struck him.
"The next morning his wife fond
him dead. His head had been severed
from his body"
The minister stopped aid sat back
In his chair.
How awful" exclaimed the Won
an who had asked for q story.
Not 60" said the minister affably.
In serving my country. such things
mus be done. Kimaga should have
given the letter. Don't you think %.
Mr.. Orme?"
Tho parable was quite clear To
Orme He understood the threat.
In America" he said. drily. we
do not worship penmsnship."
But en- American might for other
reasons keep a letter that did not be.
long to him."
Not II he was hoaorable. His
natural course would be to see that
it was delivered to the person for
whom 1t was intended. Certainly he
would not give 1t to any man who
could not prove his right to IT,"
Would he not! But II he were
told that he mus de-"
In that case he would inform hiO
friends Of the threats against him.
and they would see that his murderers
were hanged. Assassination is not
popular in America. excellency."
Orme did not attempt to conceal the
contempt in his words. and several OF
the listeners moved in their chairs. BE-
traying their embarrassment.
Perhaps, then. Mr.. Orme." said the
minister, you could favor US with
story which would show the attitude
Of an American In such fair"
Orms laughed. oddly enough" he
replied, Il can give you just such .
story-if you all care to hear It.
Go on" murmured one of the men.
1T happened to q friend Of mine.
said Orme. He had In his possession
a number of proxies. the use Of which
would determine the control OF
a certain corporation. While he was
carrying these proxies to the country
house of the man to whom he was to
deliver them, he was attacked BY .
man who was acting for another fac
ton. This man secured the advantage
over my friend and. robbing him OF
the proxies. jumped into a waiting
motor car to make his escape.
And did he escape?" the minister
interrupted.
ro BE SoNT1NUED'
Agreeable chane4