The Glenwood post., 1924-08-07
CHAPTER Xxx

8uen una 0OD St0Ou on tno r0u9a
boarded platform which marked the
end Of the railroad at Fushiki. Odd
trees, distorted by fierce winter winds,
rose from the crest line of hill be-
yond which sand-dunes stretched. The
town lay in the sun like a basking
lizard, houses and huts following the
curve Of the sea-seeking stream.
A heavy-wheeling bird came By
with a screech and flap Of wings.
There are demons abroad" Wells
laughed. Then he saw an advancing
figure, brave in gay kimono: Assured
ly there are demons abroad. Here
comes the foremost Of them all. He
looks like SukunAno-Kami, the God
of Scarecrows, with his wrinkled old
face"
Marakito stood staring at Wells.
He had been told that an engineer
was being sent to complete the bridge
system. But this man, this Robert
Wells, was, of his own knowledge,
dead, and had been buried. He walked
toward Ellen and Wells slowly; he
shook his head a few times, strohsd
his chin; finally, his composurs part
ly restored, ruffled toward them
quickly.
ut is you," he announced In q
voice that, for the first time In his
many years, shook slightly.
Wells admitted 1t.
"Your health is good?" Marakito in
quirsd politely. "You will finish the
much-dslayed bridges7 I fear that the
time remaining Is very short. Yes,
very short indeed"
every snort, honorable Marakito-
San," Wells answered. "The work
must progress with rapIdity to bs COM
plets within the prescribed time"
'Tf can help-r
you will assist us. Narakito- Sanr'
II shall do my best. Yes, yes,
shall do my best" He smiled. ''Sim-
ply ask me when"
II shall ask now" Wells said dis
armingly. "Sse to 1t that none Of our
tools nor materials disappear, and that
our workers remain at their labor"
So the white man had guessed.
Marakito Immediately spread ont his
hands In denial.
"The money paid to you By the JAP
anese nobles-by the Imperialists-
will be wasted. fear" Wells as-
sured him. 1--WE will finish ON time"
Money!"
"such As Aoehi-san Of Mitagiri
paid"
"Who told youi It must have been
that boasting fellow Kayama-I heard
| that hn vx,as In Anov1 co-,r,>n - r-.k
ter. since you know-there will be no
more delays" OF course, Marakito
figured calmly, there might be bits Of
glass in the food
"And If anything happens to me-"
Wells added. divining the thought,
there IL a sealed letter in the hands
of"-he whispered great japanese
name (which will then be opened.
1t might be that the name Of Mara
kito-San is mentioned therein. Yes, I
think that 1t Is"
II am your servant" the old Japa.
nese said humbly.
In spite of the lmpropriety Of the
question, which was entirely lacking
in bushido. Afarakito must add: 'T--
we-thought that you were dead.
How, then, do you return?
Wells grinned. ASK the gods," was
all the answer he would give.
Marnkito shuffled away, seeking the
village priest. The same thought was
In his head.
II am face to face with a great mys-
terry" he mourned. ut is very plain
that the god Of my house has lost his
power. 1t cannot be that he IL angry,
for I make the proper devotions,
and have burned much incense. It Is
this: dead man, whom wished
dead. has returned to life."
"Perhaps. the, god Of this dsad-one-
who-lives IL more powerful than your
ownT the priest haxarded.
"Godi He has none, being seiyo-
jin."
The night was 70 lilaceous, 20 still,
70 very sweet, that old Kaminari of
the Thunder was unable to inform
them Of their mistake. 1nstsad, he
pseped down at the beach where Ellen
and Bob walked arm In arm. He must