Page:Mrs. Spring Fragrance - Far - 1912.djvu/269

 the wish of his own heart. But he was not as bold as she.

"How dare we?" he asked. "Have not our fathers sworn that they will never forgive us?"

"The light within me this evening," replied Pau Tsu, "reveals that our parents sorrow because they have this sworn. Oh, Liu Venti, ought we not to make our parents happy, even if we have to do so against their will?"

"I would that we could," replied Liu Venti. "But before we can approach them, there is to be overcome your father's hatred for my father and my father's hatred for thine."

A shadow crossed Pau Tsu's face. But not for long. It lifted as she softly said: "Love is stronger than hate."

Little Waking Eyes clambered upon his father's knee.

"Me too," cried Little Sleeping Eyes, following him. With chubby fists he pushed his brother to one side and mounted his father also.

Pau Tsu looked across at her husband and sons. "Oh, Liu Venti," she said, "for the sake of our children; for the sake of our parents; for the sake of a broader field of work for ourselves, we are called upon to make a sacrifice!"

Three months later, Liu Venti and Pau Tsu,