The Filer record. (Filer, Idaho) 1919-1930, 1924-06-12


talk TO the abbot.
Honorable eldest priest" Wells
said bluntly, you have tricked me-"
The abbot had not liked Wells ora
ton. 1t was not seemly that his priests
be so addressed. He answered abrupt
ly. shortly. "Howr
''This maid is white"
"You saw her before. through the
slit in the panel OF her room. She is
not white. / spoke OF that before.
She is Eurasian. Chinese blood flows
In her veins"
IF she is Eurasian. why do you fear
the missionariesl"
'They ask questions. There Is a
story"
Poor scared kid. Wells was think
ing. She would be far better on In
his own household. Safe. He'd find
way TO get her back-wherei
"What is this story. honorable abb
botf Where did the maid come fromf"
Wells waited, then: II have asked.
abbot"
This was a new Kayama. The priest
had heard many stories: OF disso-
lutte rogue, at once penurlous and
spendthrift. a seeker for sensations. II
would be well 10 conciliate this newer
personality. The temple might need
gold again.
"You VIII remember. Kayama- San.
that when your honorable father sent
you abroad, TO the white countries,
there was much fighting. The Japa-
nese troops took from the seiyo-Jin
country much land. which they them
selves had taken from China. II thus
becomes yellow again.
"A troop of our soldiers. led by a
noble whose name is OF no I'M
portnnce, captured a Chinese family.
who had succored fleeing Germans. In
the family was this maid. Good. The
noble had her sent to Japan, TO his
house. Her white skin was dIstaste-
full 10 him. He condemned himself.
Her paleress would arouse ques-
lions, for this noble lived In a large
town, where missionaries resided. He
did not like the maid. Sell herr NoEe
found her pleasing.
Then. this maid WIS educated. by
her Chinese father. in a selyo-jin mis-
sion. after the habits Of white women.
Some missionary might know her.
Thus the noble feared. Feared inves-
legations, and Official frownings upon
the affair.
"He owed this temple gold. We
..t-o a. safaf
We did so. We would have sold her
TO the highest bidder. awaiting an OPP
portunity. II came. You have her
II ls all very simple"
"She is very beautiful" Wells said
1T is good that she has the saving
Chinese blood tina; she may be a maid
in your house." the priest agreed
1T saves her. that is certain" Wells
agreed, with different meaning. as he
stepped out into the temple yard.
The peace OF his room was grateful
to him. He threw back the screens
and the scented air from the garden
flowed In.
Back in the house he could hear
whisperings and gigglings. A word
drIfted to him. Laughter. The sery-
ants were arraying the Eurasian In
her fnery. Her hair had been adjust
ed TO serve as a nimbus for the fair
ness and sweetness Of her face. the
whole held In place with curious orna-
mental combs. and shot through with
long fine pins Of gold and tortoise
shell with cunningly carved heads
studded with dull jewels.
"we must hurry" the old servant
directed THE lord Will be impatient
He VIII walk from garden to house.
from house 10 garden. now here. now
there. He can hardly await her com
Ing"
Wells. truly. found the waiting I'M
bearable. Unseen. as be had been /
shunling back and forth over the Cat |
stones that marked the paths. the /
long shadows slowly blended Into one /
soft darkness within the house Ism
terms were lighted. and little tables 4
were prepared for the marriage feast.
The servant found him In the gar
Den.
"she will not come. Kaysms-san
And we cannot talk 10 her"
Il will 20. II Is not according to
-usiom. but ! viii 90 ! understand
some words Of the seiyo-jin language.
rs you know
He STROBE down the long corridor.
lead erect. and entered he single
pen room
Arrayed In her fnery. FURNISHED
lair thrust through and through with
eweled pins. the giri sat on a siIken
.ushion. alone. OF what use 10 resisf7
Z only she could speak 10 this demon
=. explain = the first tear. fore
unner Of more 70 follow. splashed 90
be mating. and so Wells found her.
HIS eyes ached Tired The day
vas long. and be approached the ell
nax 20 strange events He'd explain.
quickly. that she was safe with him:
afe from him That be would assist
er y return her people In China
-