The Filer record. (Filer, Idaho) 1919-1930, 1924-06-05
BY SIDNEY HERSCHEI SMALL

fessIon-to whom. indeed. should he
llevei He 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 a naked sword. which
he laid across the dead mans arms,
TO keep away evil spirits. Tapers were
III. 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
KayRma returned 10 his room.
The ancient servant maid awaited
him.
Il was a season older than the
lord" she greeted Wells. The willow
has outllved the pine" She hustled
about with many unneedful steps. pre-
pairing white garments for Wells to
don. Il saw Aochi-San's father die.
have seen Aochl-San die. Who
knows but that you yourself might be
stricken? See 10 it"-she waggled
finger at him-"that a little son trot
about this house. Kayama-san-"
She held up a white. unembroidered
kimono for him. Wells dropped the
blue kimono he had been wearing TO
the floor. The bit OF paper fell with
II. iuttered: he stopped, seeing writ
ing thereon.
Read. while l compose myself" Ire
asked the woman. 1T is doubtless OF
no Importance. / do not know from
whence II came"
MY eyes are old. Lord. II II be
nothing. win burn II in the brazier."
Wells glimpsed the characters for
"Kayams." picked up the paper and
read slowly. Slowly. and with dawn
ing comprehension. The swine" he
said aloud IN English. Poor old
Aochil He's happier that did hap
pen along. Wonder when the beggar
will show up again. What a messl"
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 walt
ing"
The great bell of the Rokume temple
was already reverberatlng 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 already 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 a
tinny Derl. and Kayama Wells.
The whole affair was dreamlike TO
him. Shadowy. Impressions only, yet
unimpressed.
Eyes conferred 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. III
an incense stick and stuck II 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. ench thrusting blazing. Tuning
bit OF incense into the bowl. that Aochi
might be waited away quickly and
sof al
a noble. kind lord. II stern and strict
Who could say what Kayama would
bel Many a prayer was mutfered for
the new lord. that the gods give him
wisdom.
your devotion is pleasing TO u.s."
the head priest informed Wells I'VE
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 IL not a covering for devotion.
You will"-smiling slyly-''brinE the
gold yourself. Ksyama-sani You re-
the pricer
1T will be ample. honorable priest"
"AmpIei The price is nredi"
None shall complain OF the gen
erosity Of the Lord OF the Thunder
Gate" Wells said. provoked by the In
sistence Of the other.
The priest looked at him curously. |
You did not speak OF generosity be-
fore. Ksyama San. You would have
offered more gold for the
maid" Then. suddenly: surely you
have not forgot our bargain1 The
maid Ia ready for you. upon payment
,f the six rolls Of gold. when Will /
Tou come for herr
Wells considered this. A bargain
rad apparently been made between
zayama and the temple folk. He'd
AIRY II out An additional servant
more or Iess-whst did II matter7 He