The Glenwood post., 1924-07-03

Nc1thcH 1OoAeu ht tue OLucrs LII
stinctively Wells felt that which had
whelmed him was overcoming Ellen
also.
One thought alone was paramount,
and without companion, in Wells
whirling brain. He was the lord. Ka-
yama-San-or SO she thought. The
lord did not ask nor demand He
offers a request, and thereby confers
q supreme favor upon any one f0rtu-
nate enough to be so designated.
She had not argued, had not quib-
bled, and he saw in this acquiescence
something beautifully touching. A
superb plea of nature appealing pas
sionately against mans crucifxion Of
purity upon the cross Of sophistica-
tion he did not think of It in
these words he did not think
-. he was far beyond thought. he
heard her breath come quickly, short
and painfully. That she already re-
gretted her swayed decision he could
not know. That she moved 10 silently
because she knew nothing to plead
that would have interested him. He
was hot with the heady wine Of DOS
session.
They repassed the high-pitched foot
bridge linking the miniature islands Of
q garden, repassed the tagged path
that half-circled lotus-covered pond.
He did not look at Ellen, but saw her
white reflection In the water. Invol-
unfairly he took he hand, and 30 they
walked onward. a. last mounting the
winding path, shrub-hordered. that
leads to the house of the Thunder
Gate.
Only one of the panels Of the main
room was open. They must pass close
together through /,
The hanging lam: had gone out, and
only the tiny lotus-lamp of bronze with
Its sputtering taper in the rape-seed
oil burned unsteadily before the Sec
ondary shrine There was no sound
within, no patter of feet nor muffled
laughter.
He could not see her face, could
only mark its oval. Very slowly he
full of subtle reasonings, of argu-
ments Of decisions, who had so
yearned for action resultant in the
loveliness Of his companion being
drawn within the. circle Of his arms
-. he, the man of impulses SO foreign,
was silent and motionless as II
chained. He heard the pounding Of
her heart f.. and thought 1t was his
own. A great peace brooded In the
ancient house.
Wells drew her hands together and.
very slowly. as II moved BY some
mechanism within him. placed his
other hand upon her shoulder.
The moments passed. Neither spoke
nor moved. except that once Ellen's
head raised-perhaps an inch. no more
so that each saw deep into the 9th
er's eyes. Wells hand pressed against
her shoulder.
They started :. hearing the whistle
Of blind woman in the streets;
long sweet call, plaintive; ono sus-s
tained note first, then two short ones
in another and lower key. To warn
the passers to take heed for her sake,
since she cannot see.
Blindi Oh, more than blindl Here,
said the throbbing night, here was his
Joy, his life and happiness. Take It,
murmured the trees. for the bloom IL
soon gone from the fruit. Take It,
every heretofore subdued sense told
him. for the night is going 1t II
the hour Of the Highest Star. the hour
of love, Of capture and giving
and the night is passing fast. ;.
He had no time for argument now.
He only knew that. trembling in his
half-embrace, was the girl that he
loved. that the night was sweet and
made for rapture. His heart wills
Dered her name again and again like
a litany.
They stood together 70. Ellen felt
the tense heat Of his hands, the jerk
Ing of his breath. Was staggered and
speechless by that which confronted
her. That which was now Inevitable.
What could she sayf Or dot Or
thinkf He was her husband. Once
words huttered to her lips, unescap-,
ing. That Kayama-San should remem. :
bsr his promise az Lord Of the Thur
der Gate. Died before they found
birth. That she found the touch Of
his hands pleasant came near to
nauseating her. She didn't NO,
abe couldn't 1t wasn't ehs who
stood IN this silent room with 'its dick
srinss Of light and the voiceS, 70 In
Distinct, Ike memory Of an evil dream.
coming from the distance; II wasn't
shs who thrilled to the touch Of this
japanese. who had been - kind be-
fore, while now now -.
Ghe wished that he would speak.
NE wondered if he would .. kiss
haf. The 0flsntal doss not kls !.
Had ~ drawn sway. swaysd either
bsckv1El r forward uax1A \ Ang1E