Evening star., 1928-04-15

temple in the village. Masa questioned
this priest, who thereby solved her rid
die at once. He told her many fairy
stories about the princess, from the
time she was little.
One day. when Masa was about eight
years of age. she called on the priest
at the temple, holding q young. dying
skylark in her hand, and asked that the
priest restore the birds life. The
priest shook his head. saying, mo, no,
Masa. It can't come back"
why not?" she questioned, with Won
dering eyes.
Because this poor bird is now dying" 4"
replied the priest. "Masa. let us call
on God"
AS the priest spoke, her expression
changed and tears were IN her eyes.
What are you crying for, my little
cry. Try to be cheerful" said the
priest. but the little princess could not
stop weeping, SO she went home in
tears. Next morning Priest Ryonen
saw little tombstone at the root OF a
cherry tree, when he called on the
princess at her kingdom up on the hill.
THREE years passed like dream.
u 1t was the early Spring Of 1859,
and the princess had grown 10 perfect
womanhood. The effect Of her father s
instruction caused her TO be brilliant
In knowledge and noble in character.
She learned to be lady OF old Nippon,
and all Nipponese must obey and show
respect for Bushido Bushido offers the
ideal Of poverty instead of wealth, hu-
nility in place Of ogtentation, the care
and prosperity Of the state rather than
that Of the individual. Bushido re-
quires courage, fortitude, self-deprecia-
ton and self-sacrifice, with an exalted
code Of moral principles. and not only
for the samurai. but for women Bush
ido is the soul of the nation.
All these helped TO make the outlook
OF life larger and more interesting
Besides. her situation taught her the
things which city people never learn
the earth and the sky. the woods and
fields. the mountain and river.
There were many young men In that
village willing TO do anything TO win
Masa, but she paid no attention to
| them. She wished TO become the wife
Of brave samurai and she longed for
her dream To come true.
When the Spring in all its glory was
at hand the lords temporary court had
been built at the silver-eye village, and
| his ord and her lady. accompanied
by their general staff, left their castle
town for visit 10 the village. For the
| villagers this was time OF great re-
joicing. 70 welcome such royalty.
On the day they came, Masa went
down the village TO the temple. from
which the view is far-reaehing. She
watched the parade with curious in.
teregt. as this was the first time she
had seen one. The next evening the
lord gave cherry-blossom party. apc
! In the village, that she might dance be.
| fore him. As a matter Of course. Masa
was chosen 70 grace the occasion. AL
| though this order was by no means
| pleasing 70 Baisen, lest II should digcloss
their identity. yet she could not but go
Her father warned her not To maks
known her name whatever might hap
pen.
When the festigity was in full swing
Masa arose ~ dance. Her dance wa
called the Butterfly In the Rain.
As she went on dancing With light step
her slender figure moving In tune, al
the people were spell-bound In thei
seats and raised " the seventh HEAVIER
of delight, her natural beauty hayinl
10 attracted all.
Among the many young knights pres
ent, one sat notloDiess throughout, 10
he was entirely caught by MaBa's gfea
attTsetigenegs. MakitO Todo Abe wa
his naHe~~a peerless knight, one Of TN
lords faithful gassala who had gainet
distinction. He never had had "A pee
since hs war II master feneer In swords
nanship.
There was much cheering and hand
clappiDg as MaAa finished her dane
and bowed " the assembly. His lOr'
and her ladyshiD greeted her In per
@jIl, sIld all praised her In ore accord
HIS 0fd, being Ia yeTy good hunlOi
paid her great compliment and eH
J pressed surprise al finding such gli
3s Masa IN the OlIt~Ot~Way village
! Although her clothes were plain, II va
noticeable that she must have bee
we'll bred, with such eharmin
manner,
Tie lord asked her: Maiden. te
! me whose daughter you are2"
, Your pardon, 1 am the daughter of
| common c0WkeepeT, living at a diatan
! place Ia the village" chs replied wit
! much shyness.
: After the party, Masa returned h0nl
! With Priest jty0f1es;, IL was quite lat'
! aIad Masa Was excited ~ sne Wake
, aiong, and her changed manner wa
q quite evident ~ the priest,
7 We'll Masa !" he eaid, with at al
I tempt ~ iightuees, you are not yOii
seii this evening You are W0fryin
: about something, aren't yon7 Tell NJ
2 | What II ID
ii Mska could moi give sa answer W II