The Filer record. (Filer, Idaho) 1919-1930, 1924-06-05
The Lord of Thunder Gate

ma-San. Here Is the First Book. In
it-eo ! have heard-is written that
to the young should come the young
am old There should be a gayes
maid waiting upon you. She would
drive the sorrow from your eyes Tell
, me. Lord. does not young blood course
In your velnsf"
Wells smiled. II 90 20 the temple
tomorrow. little mother. II seems that
am 10 buy a maid there"
Those priests Much gold you win
pay" Her hands futtered. 1T win
be good TO have a maid In the house
again. And a babe"
Wells thought In excellent American.
"A fat chance" he was thinking.
your maid win pray each night
thar she be given a manson" mumbled
on the servant. Il will see to II that
she protect your comforts. that each
wish, even thoughts unuttered. be
fulfilled"
Wells shivered. Why hadn't soma
one instructed--or didn't American
mothers do such thingsf-Aibertai
Had she ever. during their engage
ment. considered anything and
hadn't she been among the nrst 10
condemn him unheardi With q
start he remembered her beauty. only
10 find that he considered II as imper-
sonal as a painting.
Footsteps In the hall aroused him.
priest. shaved OF head. comfort
ably plump fellow. bowed as he shut
fed into the room. He refused the Of
fered cup Of tea. intlmating by ges
lures that he wished 10 speak to Wells
In private.
THE abbot has sent me-" he whis-
pered hoarsely. There are mission
aries in the next village. They Will
view the temple. They have prying
eyes. The abbot wishes you to come
for the maid"
Il am deep in devotion. honorable
priest"
you win find comfort In your sor-
row. Be sure TO warn your servants
TO be silent until the seiyo-Jin depart
The matter is important. Be sure TO
bring the gold"
Why mott Wells thought. Better
get II over with. He clapped his hands,
giving orders: he was bringing a maid
to the household. Let none mention
Il. (why did the priest say thatD
Prepare for her.
The serving woman hurried for
gay robe. Funerals we're forgotten
Wells was soon ready. and accom-
panied the priest.
Already Wells saw the problems at
tendant upon buying a maid. He must
tell her that she found no favor In his
eyes-which would be difficult In view
OF the fact that he had bought her
How could he tell herr
The jangls Of little bells announced
the first prayer hour as he entered the
temple yard. Heavy hangings TO
the left OF the idol were brushed
aside. and the eldest priest entered.
ut has been decreed," he said gravely,
that temple maids may be sold. but
only as wives. Later they may be
relegated to a lesser position. But
each must be properly married. Is
this satisfactory. Kayama-sanf" With
out permitting Wells 10 answer land
Wells was already thinking OF the
form OF his protest. having HIS own
ideas as 10 the binding OF marriage
ceremonies). he droned Immediately
into the ritual, as Is proper. for the
bridegroom must not see the woman
until they are actually married.
Complete. he told the shocked Wells
he had a favor TO ask. The priests
have never seen such a woman, Ka-
yama-san. Is II permitted that they
gaze upon such beauty. that they
might remember III"
what dIferencei Wells nodded as
sent.
Wells saw a seconds byplsy. just
as the curtain parted. that was not In
tended TO be seen: the trembling
hands of a priest touching bright hair:
the twisting Of q womsn's figure az II
10 offer combat. then the dropping Of
a hopeless head.
''Goodi" he heard the priest say.
Keep your eyes discreetly to the
floor. Walk slowly" and with CUTS
ing hand he led the girl into the room.
Fascinated. Wells eyes held 10 the
weirdness OF the picture. 10 this rose
In a Satsuma bowl. The priest was
willing that this moment Of awe. Of
expectation. be protrscted. and. AZ
was natural. the first upward sweep
Of the girls eyes caught and held the
one bright spot Ia the room. Wells
brilliant robes.