🧚 Winning Buddha’s Smile, part 5 · page 2

“Yes, I love you with all my heart and soul.110 But it is only another misfortune for me because I can never marry you.”111

“Why do you say that?”112

“I can never marry you because you are rich, while I am penniless.”113

“Fie, foolish,” teased the girl, drawing him to her.114 “Don’t you know that I love you and that nothing can prevent me from being your wife and companion?115 We shall marry.116 Do not leave me.117 Remain with me to-night, my mother will not know.”118

Their lips were united in one long kiss.119 At daybreak San-Syeng departed.120 He regarded himself as the happiest of mortals and promised to spare no effort to make life happy for the girl who had chosen him for her husband.121

Every evening the young man went to visit his wife.122 Now it came to pass one night, that her mother, unable to sleep, arose from her couch and went walking through the house.123 Passing before the door of her daughter’s room she heard, above the sound of mingled kisses, her daughter speaking with some one.124 Immediately she fell into a great fury.125 She tried to open the door, but was unsuccessful.126 Calling a servant, she said:127

“Take a sabre, and place yourself before this door.128 You are to kill the first person who leaves that room.”129

San-Syeng and his wife had not heard these words for they were asleep.130 The girl had another dream in which she saw her father.131 “My daughter,” he said, “you are in great danger.132 Your husband’s life is threatened.133 Arise and see what is on the other side of your door.134 Find a way for your husband to escape.135 Give him my favorite horse so that he can take flight.136 You may also give him my sword.137 You will be separated for some time, but you will be united in the days to come.”138

Startled by the warning, the young girl softly opened the door where she saw the servant with drawn sabre.139

“What are you doing here--and with a weapon, too?” she demanded.140

“I am standing guard at your mother’s orders and I am to kill the first person who leaves your room.”141

“Why, my mother is mad.142 There is no one with me.143 I was just about to call you anyway and send you on an errand.144 I would like to write and I haven’t a single bit of paper.145 Will you get me some?”146

“I cannot leave this post, mademoiselle.”147

“Why not?148 If you are afraid that my mother’s prisoner will escape, let me have your sabre.149 I will take your place while you get me what I want.”150

The servant was persuaded with little difficulty.151 Scarcely had he left than the young lady ran to her husband and cried: “Up at once or you are lost.152 My mother has learned that there is some one with me and has stationed a servant at the door with orders to kill any one who leaves my room.153 Wait for me in the garden.”154

San-Syeng arose hurriedly and descended cautiously and quietly into the garden.155 The servant returned and received the assurance that no one had left the room which he had been guarding.156

“I think I shall take a walk in the garden,” the girl suggested.157 “This room is too warm for me.”158

She went direct to the stables where she led out the horse which her father had mentioned and brought him to San-Syeng.159 The two lovers embraced and wept bitterly at being forced to part in so abrupt a fashion.160 The girl had gathered together her jewels and what silver she had at hand and turned them over to San-Syeng together with her father’s favorite sword.161 San-Syeng, despite his protest, was forced to accept them.162 He slipped from his finger the ring which he had found among the books long years before and the significance of which he did not even guess.163

“Take this keepsake,” he said to his wife.164 “It is a token of my undying love.165 As long as I live I shall think only of you and I hope soon to come back for you.166 I will go to the Capital and shall soon have matters fixed so that I may rejoin you.167 Good-bye.”168

He went away, his head bowed in sadness, while the young girl, tears rolling down her cheeks, followed him with her eyes until she saw him disappear in the black depths of the wood.169

“I wish I could burn that forest and then my San-Syeng would have to take the mountain road, and I wish the plagued mountains were at the bottom of the sea,” cried the unhappy girl--“for I would be able to see my husband again.”170

She remained for a long time in the one spot motionless as a statue.171 At last, she decided to go to her room, following in spirit San-Syeng who was galloping briskly toward the Capital.172 He arrived there when there was great excitement among the people of the city because of the death of the King and the exile of the young Prince to the Isle of Cho-To, events upon which we shall comment in the coming stage of our story.173

_Here the fourth stage of our legend cometh to a close.174

V175

V176

It was Ja-Jo-Mi, the Prime Minister, who had been the chief cause of all the evils which had come to Sun-Yen and San-Houni.177 This dignitary, no longer having any one to fear, enjoyed absolute power.178 The King had entire confidence in him and placed in his hands the administration of the government.179 Ja-Jo-Mi had taken advantage of this to give all the important and lucrative offices to his followers.180 For example, he discharged in disgrace a general whom he disliked and replaced him with one of his most zealous but incompetent partisans.181 Even with all this power the ambitious Minister was not satisfied.182 Why should he not push things to the limit and place himself upon the throne?183 For the present, it was only a dream which Ja-Jo-Mi hoped to realize some day.184 But he was only awaiting a favorable occasion and this was not long in presenting itself.185

The King fell suddenly ill.186 His condition became so grave that the leading physicians of the Kingdom were obliged to confess their inability to cure him.187 He was well aware of his serious condition and cherished no illusions about it.188 He sensed the flutter of the wings of Death--wings drenched with the tears of weeping humanity.189 He sent for the Prime Minister, to whom he spoke after the following fashion:190

“I am going to die.191 My great regret is in leaving a son too young efficiently to govern the country.192 Factions will take advantage of the situation to disturb the peace of the Kingdom.193 Yet I want my son to succeed me on the throne.194 Consequently I am requiring of you a further proof of your devotion.195 Promise me to give this child the guidance of your counsel and wisdom.196 Teach him to govern kindly and finish his education.”197

Ja-Jo-Mi, the unscrupulous, swore solemnly that he would faithfully observe the last commands of his master.198 The monarch desired to see his son, so the latter was brought to his bedside.199 The King tenderly took the youth in his arms.200 He seemed to wish, through him, to cling longer to the life he was leaving.201 But the fatal hour had come; he drew his last breath in a sob.202