The Glenwood post., 1924-05-22
CHAPTER III

ut is the hour for bathing the old
servant told Kayama, when he re-
turned.
"I am tired" Wells feared that
this would not satisfy her.
She, however, brought volume to
him. Compose yourself, then, Kaya-
ma-San. Here is the First Book. In
it-so l have heard-is written that
to the young should come the young.
I am old. There should be a gayer
maid waiting upon you. She would
drive the sorrow from your eyes. Tell
me, Lord, does not young blood course
in your veins?"
Wells smiled. II 60 to the temple
tomorrow, little mother. 1t seems that
am to buy a maid there"
''Those priests Much gold you will
pay" Her hands fluttered. 1T will
be good to have maid in the house
again. And babe"
Wells thought In excellent American.
"A fat chance" he was thinking.
"Your maid will pray each night
that she be given manson" mumbled
on the servant. 'I will see to 1t 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 things?-Alberta
Had she ever, during their engage
ment, considered anything -. and
hadn't she been among the first to
condemn him unheard7 With q
start he remembered her beauty, only
to find that he considered 1t as imper-
sonal as painting.
Footsteps in the hall aroused him.
A priest, shaved of head, q comfort
ably plump fellow, bowed as he shut.
fed into the room. He refused the Of.
fered cup Of tea. intimating by ges
lures that he wished to 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 pryins
eyes. The abbot wishes you to come
for the maid"
IT am deep in devotion, honorable
priest"
''You will ind comfort in your sor-
row. Be sure to warn your servants
to be silent until the seiyojin depart.
The matter IL important. Be sure to
bring the gold"
get It over with. He clapped his hands.
giving orders: he was bringing maid
to the household. Let none mention
It. (why did the priest say that?)
Prepare for her.
The serving woman hurried for
gay robe. Funerals were forgotten
Wells was soon ready, and accom-
panied the priest
Already Wells saw the problems at
tendant upon buying 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 jangle 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
1T has been decreed," he said gravsly,
that tsmple-maids may be sold. but,
his first wife. Consider nothing of ner
beauties. Or" he wrinklsd his fore
head. trying to remember what Misa-
ko had said, Tor, little prisstlings, the
day may come when the lord Of your
village will descend upon the temple
a. his forefathers have done"
He paused. eyes intent upon the hol
spots Of red In the girls cheeks. Then 4
"Escort the maid to my house. win
] talk to the abbot.
Honorable eldest priest" Wells
said bluntly. ''you have tricked me-"
The abbot had not liked Wells ora
tion. It was not secmly that his priests
be 70 addressed. He answered abrupt
I b, shortly. "How1"
"This maid IL white"
Z You raw her before. through the
NJ alt In the panel Of her room. She =
&net white I spoke of that bsforA