The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1890-06-06
CHAPTER VIII.
THE GREAT COMPETITION.

Sho Mai walked rapidly over the famil-
lar fields in the direction of the house
of Lii Yueu Wy. She felt no fear of pur-
suit, for she knew we'll that the pirates
would not return to explore the cave
that day, and, in fact, would De much
more likely to set sail on the following
morning, firmly believing that the
Chief and herself had fallen victims to
the demons of the place. Her only
fear was that the story of the treasure
would prompt them to send another
expedition better equipped for such a
search, ard that the party might pass
through the cave and commit depreda-
tions in the outskirts OF Teng Chow.
This thought did not trouble her much,
because a word of caution to the
authorities of the city would put them
on their guard.
The one serious anxiety in her mind,
apart from her fear for Ii Xii, was the
thought of the shortness Of the time
that now remained to her in which to
reach Peking, where the great competi-
ton for the sake of which she had en-
dared so much was soon to begin. In
arranging for their journey she and Lii
Xiii had allowed at least a week for rest
in the great city before the final trial.
She had now been delayed about that
length of time, but with favoring
chances she might yet arrive in season.
But sad as would be the dis&ppoint-
ment if she failed to reach Peking, the
thought of it claimed onlya small share
Of !,
she trod, the trees whose branches
nodded to her as a friend, the distant
mountain tops, the very air itself spoke
a loved name, and she could hear no
other sound. Amid these scenes one
presence only came to her Imagination.
BY this remembered way he had first led
her to his home; here they had often
walked together in the days of that
strange deception by which even love
was batfied for time; and when the
vail had fallen they had passed over
these same green fields, and in the
smiling face of nature had read the
most precious of her promises. Had she
mocked at them?
BY thinking as calmly as she could
upon the chances of ner lovers safety.
Sho Mai endeavored to compose her
mind for the delivery of that painful
message which she was bearing to Ii
Kean and Ii Yuen Wy. She held it to
be certain that Ii Xii had not been
captured by the pirates. He had been
exposed to no dangers except those of
the ocean. If his boat had fallen in
with passing ship before the storm OF
yesterday, he was safe. If not, he must
have pclished. The time had been toe
short to permit of his reaching land.
No reasoning would solve the problem;
she must wait for news. But fancy
filled the place of fact, and, as she
walked, her mind was busy with visions.
She would see a great ship gliding to-
ward the boat. Ropes were let down,
and all were safely brought to the deck.
Then she would see the storm sweep
down, and great wave would rise and
dash the little craft to pieces. With
such farcios would mingle pictures OF
the boat alone on the wide sea with no
sail in sight, and the despairing men
facing hunger and horrible thirst. She
saw, indeed, all the dangers, and the
one small hope.
With her mind in such tumult, she
at length reached the little house in
which she had passed so many days
happily. Ii Kean sat in the door
way and started back in terror at the
figure in it's strange dress, the uniform
OF the Toyhai. The sound of the ia
miliarvoice, however, quickly reassured
her, and then when the venerable IA
ther had been summoned the sad story
was told and tears were shed. Sho Mai
offered such consolation as she could
from heavy heart, and the thought OF
her own miraculous escape helped to
inspire hope. 1t was evident that moth
ing could be done. Ii Xii would send
tidiligs of his safety at the earliest pos
sible opportunity.
Seeing the grief in the little house
hold, Sho Mai would have remained
with her friends to comfort them, but 10
this they would not consent. That she
should sacrifice the competition need
lessly was not to be thought of. The
old philosopher would listen to no re-