Page:Tales from old Japanese dramas (1915).djvu/350

276 fiercely before Katagiri Katsumoto, the superintendent of the works. He arbitrated between them, at the same time making a remark in censure of Gōsuké's abusive language.

That same night, when Gōsuké was on his way home, brooding over the quarrel, he happened to meet Sampei's sweetheart O-Katsu, who was returning from a secret meeting with Sampei. As he caught a glimpse of her face in the moonlight, he fell in love with her, and taking her by force to a house near by, made violent protestation of love to her. She pretended to yield, but seeing her chance, she succeeded in effecting her escape. This fact filled Gōsuké with disappointment, and made his jealous feelings towards Sampei more fierce than before. Just then Sampei, who was quite ignorant of his presence, passed near him. Gōsuké followed him stealthily, and attacked him unawares. Sampei was mortally wounded, but he offered him a stout resistance. Unluckily, after a few minutes' fighting, he succumbed to his wound. That same night the murderer took to flight. Strange to say, a few days later, he encountered O-Katsu travelling alone. He again made love to her, but she