The Filer record. (Filer, Idaho) 1919-1930, 1924-05-29
cHAPTER ~

The servant carried Wells slowly up
the long path. at the very head OF
which a spring bursts from q lichen-
covered rock: the spring that keeps
green the garden OF the Thunder Gate
A sliding door opened to dim room.
AT the farther end OF this chamber
was platform approached by single
step; a dark curtain yelled the aicove
behind. An old man knelt upon
richly ornamented rabuton placed In
the center OF the room. AZ the panel
moved back. In ghostly silence. the an
Client arose and drew back with the
atrical gesture the curtain.
There glowered upon Wells unsee-
ing eyes an apparitlon. a paonstrosity.
A huge face. mounted upon dragon
like body. winged. A face the color
OF polished copper. dull carmine; men
aclng, frixhtful Not the tiger frown.
nor the violence OF the terrific mouth.
nor the CHASTITY fury OF the head rs a
whole, nor the weird eyes aroused
Wells. Rather-or so Il seemed 20
him. after-Misako. his old nurse. who.
he dimly remembered. came frem the
village OF Mitagin: Misako was tell
ing him story. OF Ksyama and the
household OF the Thunder Gate or
which she had been part. and the
terrible god who ruled II. and what
happened to naughty boys when they
saw the god. The lightning which the
god bore in It's right paw seemed to
send a hot shock 70 his brain.
While Misako was stili telling the
story. his eyes opened.
Only the half-remembered story Of
Mlsako held Wells TO reality. He bent
before the god. saying "Harai-tamai-
and ciapping his hands In Shinto
PRAYER. Then, with the nurses In
structions as 10 reverence for the
aged, he bowed 20 the old one with
the tired eyes Aoehi gestured to q
cushion upon the mating.
From where Wells sat. stupidity, he
saw the god staring at him The old
man clapped his hands. n maidservnnt
as ancient as himself entered with
tea placed cups and pot upon low
black table and. kneellng. rinsed tive
cups
"'Knwai ko wa tabi wo sase'- the
old proverb Is Incorrect Aochi vas
thinking. "A spoilt child should be
made TO travel. 80 II goes aei
this son OF mine has but
added TO his many japanese vices
! m raaHflsIW
waiting until the tea ceremony was
completed.
The room was silent A late wind
from the sea sighed against the stunt
ed pines. a faint stream Of perfume
rose from the poured tea. Every sur
gestlon was hypnotic o. sleep. Re
tween the moment 81 raising his cup
and the contact with lips Wells was
actually plunged for an instant In
sleep. 70 become conscious with q
start. into the eyes o. fhe old man
had crep; q look Of uncertainty: this
was Wells last coherent thought. for
the servant placed cushion beneath
HIS dropping head. and then came ths
blessed rhythmic coolness from bel
Fan.
lie awoke to end the sun shinins
with assurance OF another heated day
The woman. with rixid though gentis
face. still famed hif1. as she had
throughout the night she hasiened
10 sring him sfeaming tea and q
brightly blue klmono. As he Slipped
OF the kimono which he had worn
when he entered the house. BIZ q
paper fell 20 the floor. The servant
handed II 70 him. and be tucked Il "
the flowing sleeve
Furtiveiy be touched the silkrr
kimonc IN which be was clad Thi'
was better than what Rad
been. ciapred hands brought the kerv
ant 10 her feet.
II - ny father she whispered
let noe assist thy honorable foot
STEPS