University of Virginia Library

V

Under the quiet stars they met—the two old men who had quarrelled in student days, and who ever since had cultivated hate for each other. The cause of their quarrel had long since been forgotten; but in the fertile soil of minds irrigated with the belief that the superior man hates long and well, the seed of hate had germinated and flourished. Was it not because of that hate that their children were exiles from the homes of their fathers—those children who had met in a foreign land, and in spite of their fathers' hatred, had linked themselves in love.

They spread their fans before their faces, each pretending not to see the other, while their servants enquired, "What news of the honorable little ones?"

"No news," came the answer from either side.

The old men pondered sadly and silently. Finally Liu Jusong said to his servants: "I will search in the forest."

"So also will I," announced Li Wang.

Liu Jusong lowered his fan. For the first time in many years, he allowed his eyes to rest on the countenance of his old college friend, and that one time friend returned his glance. But the servant men shuddered:

"It is the haunted forest," they cried. "Oh, honorable masters, venture not amongst evil spirits!"

But old Li Wang laughed them to scorn as also did Liu Jusong.

"Give me a lantern," bade Li Wang, "I will search alone. Thy grandson is my grandson and mine is thine."

"Aye," responded Li Wang.

And love being stronger than hate, the two old men entered the forest together, searched for their children together and found them together.