The Filer record. (Filer, Idaho) 1919-1930, 1924-05-22
CHAPTER /

Thunder Gate only In name, for the
actual gate with all its mockeries OF
leaves and flowers has long since rot
ted anywhere is a fungus-bed OF
misery called the Inn OF the Pale
Pearl. The turbid river that creeps
through the town OF Mltagiri deposits
yellow mud against the very wall.
Here each night collect the human
scum and scour of the cutters. the
stencil OF whose villainous bodies
fights unavaiiingly with the sitting
odor of horse-meat and fish-hesh.
On this night the Inn OF the Pale
Pearl was full 10 suffocation. Itola.
the pimple-faced host. his hmono
opened at neck, and pinned high
above his knees TO permit free motion,
stood dealing out liquor from a little
cask Two outlaws lay against the
wall I'm darkness. partly from fear Of
a nightly visit by the police. partly be
cause, rising. they feared 10 fall again.
A long table echoed ribaldrles.
Against the leg huddled a ne-san, low
cred bit by bit from teahouse 10 tea
house, from yoshlwara 10 this nest Of
wickedness; waiting the coming OF
better-paying ruffians.
Facing the end OF the table farthest
from the door stood a wine cask. atop
OF which a japanese. larger by half
foot than the rest. with patricianly
aquiline nose. larger and more drunk.
a patch over one eye and right arm
bandaged. howled a hymn TO the
White Snake goddess, who has given
from her plenty the gift Of wine In
an excess OF fervor he permitted one
hand to touch the crouching girl. She
placed thin fingers over Il; instantly
the poor hand was flung roughly away
90 that IL struck against the table leg.
The girl whlmpered
Wiping his fingers on the heavy silk
OF his kimono. the large Japanese
straddled the cRsk more securely and
banged upon the table for attention.
'You." to the girl. 'would take from
this hsnd"-he waved IL In the air
'the deliciousness Of supreme rapture
that awaits H." He paused. and the
pair OF outlaws. sensing wine. APP
plauded loudly.
what do you know Of pleasure7"
he boosted. Pleasure TnisT he
stirred the girl with an extended foot.
"A bruised blossom7 Hoi Thsre Is
awaiting me - he looked shout.
and selflnfation overcame any
drugged caution. there Is awaiting 1
me me. who VIII some day be /
Lord Of Thunder Gate and Of you all
a He 4
rroped for proper poeticai expression.
an absurd look Of concentration puck |
ering his face
a knife" grunted Itoia. The knife I
Of the husband Of the rice-plcker. who 4
found you in bis house,
The other did not heal. him. but held I
Up his hand for attention.
~Aei, I have Il. The name n your I
honorable inn describes Il. Itoia
pals aearii with hair the color Of the 4
blossom. A pearl Of
great price
one o. the outlaws asked softly: 4
when Is this money 70 be paid. Ksya-
ua-sAn7-
'Psrhaps tonight or
tc1ssrTow.- Kayams laughed More
E1l6 than you ever dreamed Of. for
Asvsf was there such q Eiri. have
mis- rold--fhe outlaws eyes cleaned
but Ksyams laughed again. mot
here. fool
You viii take Der 70 your fathers
honorable house. 70 the house % your
sncestors7 She will be your frst wife,
since you have no othery~ the host
ssked
4 said she was or cid ~
q white woman. Ifois Could
| take her 10 the house Of ny father.
thenf Not that be stopped sud
'enly.
Not that you could return. Kays-
m san ? the host observed shrew6ly
The colds Il your honorable IA
thsr's7 He has not missed lt-yetf
lThw .rasfs rooH sold srrsoo a xrhffs !