Page:Tales from old Japanese dramas (1915).djvu/336

262 plunging into the roaring river, when a loud voice cried:

"Hold, Miyuki, hold!" and she felt a hand grasp her sleeve.

The newcomer was none other than Sekisuké, her father's faithful servant, who, in company with Tokuyémon, had come in pursuit of Miyuki. The girl made a desperate struggle to free her sleeve, crying: "Oh, that is Sekisuké, is it not? But I have come here too late! After manifold hardships and wanderings, I managed last night to come face to face with Asojirō, but woe is me! I am blind and did not recognize him. When I knew it was he I ran after him, but, unhappy wretch that I am, all traffic across the river is now cut off. Oh, Sekisukê! what shall I do?"

"I can well imagine how grieved and disappointed you must feel," answered the servant, "and with all my heart I sympathize with you. But never give way to despair, for I assure you that I will manage by some means or other to bring about your meeting with Asojirō and that very soon. But now let me tell my own story. After searching for you with all diligence, month after month, I felt almost inclined to give up the