Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1924-07-16
By SIDNEY HERSCHEL Small
Copyright by The Bobbs- Merr;nco,

fesslon-to whom, indeed. sbould no
explain the tale, and who would be-
neve! He had been accepted as Ka-
yama by the head of the house. He
he was Kayama for hit
anyhow. He crossed the floor SLOWLY
returning with a naked sword. which
he laid across the dead mans arms
TO Keep away evil spirits. Tapers were
IT. incense curled in the hot close air
OF the room. Servants hid away the
household shrine. Finally a screen
green, covered with flying herons of
gray, was placed about the body and
hayama returned to his room.
Inc ancient servant maid awaited
him.
was a season older than the
lord" she greeted Wells. "The willow
mas outliyed the pine" She hustled
ABOUT with many unneedfuI steps. pre-
pairing white garments for Wells to
don. Il saw Aochi-San's father die.
| have seen Aochi-San die. Who
knows but that you yourself might be
stricken? See to it''-she waggled a
niger at him-"that little son trot
about this house, Kayama-San.
She held up a white, unembroidered
klmono for him. Wells dropped the
blue kimono he had been wearing to
the floor. The bit Of paper fell with
1t, tiuttered: he stopped, seeing writ
ing thereon.
Read, while I compose myself" he
asked the woman. ut is doubtless of
no Importance. 1 do not know from
whence it came"
My eyes are old, Lord. If 1t be
nothing, / will burn 1t in the brazier.-
Wells glimpsed the characters for
"Kayama," picked up the paper and
read slowly. Slowly, and with dawn
ing comprehension. "The swine," he
said aloud in English. Poor old
Aochi! He's happier that l did hap
pen along. Wonder when the beggar
will show up again. What a mess |"
Foreign words, Kayama-San on
the day you should be thinking of the
many virtues of your departed father"
the servant chided. 'You have on the
white robe. The priests will be wait
ing"
The great bell Of the Rokume temple
was already reverberating slowly and
regularly, punctuating Wells wonder
Of this unreal situation. Peal after
peal of the great bronze bell shook
through the house Of the Thunder
Gate.
Wells took his place in the process
sion that had elready formed at the
gate Of the house. All were white
hooded, and robed in white from head
to foot. There were no relatives, only
the men and women servants of the
house, the leading priest, ringing
tinny Defl, and Kayama Wells. /
The whole affair was dreamlike to
him. Shadowy. Impressions only, yet
Eyes centered on Wells. Slowly,
trying to remember everything that
Misako had told him of (for she had
been at this very temple many times,
she had said, he rose, bowed low, lit
an incense stick and stuck it in
bronze vase at Aochi's feet. He re-
cited, clearly, the Words Of Perfume
for the departed. These he had
heard and angered his father by re-
peating, when he was a child.
Members of the household followed
him, each thrusting a blazing, Tuning
bit Of incense into the bowl, that Aochi
might be waited away quickly and
safely. Voices broke. Aochi had been
a noble, kind lord, If stern and strict
Who could say what Kayama Would
be? Many prayer was muttered for
the new lord, that the gods give him
Your devotion Is pleasing to u.s."
the head priest informed Wells. 1--WE
feared that your journeys in the seiyo-
jim country might cause you to for
get. :"
There will be gold brought to the
temple" Wells said, remembering.
"Gold is not covering for devotion.
You will''-smiling slyly-''bring the
gold yourself, Kayama-San? You re-
member the price?"
"It will be ample, honorable priest"
"Amplel The price is fixed!"
"None shall complain of the gen.
crosby of the Lord of the Thunder
Cate" Wells said, provoked by the In
of the other.
The priest looked at him curiously
You did not speak of generosity be-
fore, Kayama-San. You would have
offered more gold for the
maid" Then, suddenly: "Surely you
have not forgot our bargain? The
maid is ready for you, upon payment
Of the six rolls of gold. When will
you come for herr"
Wells considered this. A bargain
had apparently been made between
Kayama and the temple folk. He'd
carry it out. An additional servant
more or less-what did It matter? He