The Glenwood post., 1924-05-15

DroKen efsu anu -Iorennger probing
this cut above your eye. And yet
the inn keeper was a stronger man,
I do not understand it, Kayama.
And I am tired from so much talk"
Wells smiled. perhaps have been
reincarnated, my father. Think that
this is a {. wiser. different son re-
turned to you, by the goodness of the
gods. That the troublesome fellow
who was Kayama is gone"
Aochi reached a clawlike hand to-
ward Wells and opened the neck of
the kimono
"Aei" he cackled There is the
lightning mark. 1t seems more red.
Angry. Let us say that a miracle has
been brought about. That the gods
have given you sense"
From behind him he drew a long
sword: Wells saw the lions of Shinto
which swarmed the sheath and
sprawled about the exquisite hilt.
'This," Aochl lifted the blade,
awaited you, Kayama. Now the old
son is gone, a thing of the past (in-
deed body was floating down the
river that runs past the Inn of the
Pale Pearl, to rest at last upon a
shelving bank of mud) land the honor
Of my house is thus appeased. 1 grow
forgetful, Kayama."
"You should rest, father"
"That il true. have not slept. 1
am very tired"
At the door he paused. also yer,
happy in my new son." he added, and
went of pleased with his conceit
They found him. just before the
hour for tie MONDAY meal, PROSTATE
before the household shrine, his wrin-
kled fece smiling. Aochi had complet-
ed the last stage of the ceaseless jour
ney. Telling Wells, between muffled
walls and cries, each member of the
household made obeisance to the new
Lord Of the Thunder Gate, Kayama-
San.
Wells head whirled. Old stories
dashed through his mind the tales Of
Misako, the nurse He marshaled them
A. best he could into an orderly array.
This, obviously, was no time for con-
fession-to whom, indeed, should he
explain the tale, and who would be-
usvei BE had been accepted as Ka-
yama By the head Of the house. He
. he was Kayama for a bit,
anyhow. He crossed the floor slowly,
returning with naked sword, which
he laid across the dead mans arms,
to keep away evil spirits. Tapers were
lit, incense curled in the hot close air
Of the room. Servants hid away the
household shrine. Finally screen,
green, covered with flying herons of
gray, was placed about the body, and
Kayama returned to his room.
The ancient servant maid awaited
him.
II was season older than the
lord" she greeted Wells. 1.-The willow
has outlived the pine" She hustled
about with many unneedful steps, pre-
pairing white garments for Wells to
don. IT 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
finger at him-"that little son trot
about this house, Kayama-San."
She held up white. unembroidered
kimono for him. Wells dropped the
blue hmono he had been wearing ia
the floor. The bit of paper foil with
1t, fluttered: he stopped, seeing WRIT.
ing thereon.
Read, while compose myself" he
asked the woman. ut is doubtless Of
no Importance. do not know from
whence 1t came"
"My eyes are old. Lord. II 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
Aochil Hes happier that l did hap