The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1890-05-23

were concerned, DuJ ne perceived IN tne
other that reaching out beyond the def
initely ascertained, that inspiration
which the teacher so loves to recognize
in the pupil. Ills heart told him that
this would win the day, and he was not
grieved at the prospect, though it
meant tho postponcmont of his most
cherished hopes, for another examine
ton was not to occur till the following
year, and but ono of tho coveted diplo-
mas would be given.
On the other hand Sho Mai had
learned a greater modesty in viewing
her own mental qualifications at the
same time that she had learned the les
son of love. Ii Xii had always been a
brilliant young man in her eyes since
she first came to know the strength of
his intellect, but in the light which had
recently flashed out from her heart
with no uncertain radiance she viewed
him as a marvel of wisdom. She had
no thought of winning against him and
she was glad that she could not. Never
theless she did. The great day came
and brought her triumph, and when the
result was announced no hand grasped
hers with heartier congratulation than
did that of Lii Xiii.
She was dazed by her success and by
the realization of what it meant to him.
All the overmastering desire for the
great honor now opened almost ialmedi
ately to her efforts went out of her
heart when love finally asserted his
complete dominion there. She would
have resigned her diploma; she would
have confessed her secret; she would
have hidden herself in the uttermost
part of the earth rather than have
crowded Ii Xiii from the place which
she regarded as his by the divine right
which a woman sees vested in the ruler
of her heart.
Fortunately before Sho Mai was led
to carry any of these desperate resolves
into effect way opened whereby such
recourse was unnecessary. The in
structors of the college, in view of Ii
khi's unusual standing there, decided
to hold special examination within
three months, a course only adopted in
rare cases. That Lii Xiii would win in
this second trial was regarded as a GER
tainty; and, indeed, with no such rival
as Sho Mai to oppose him he did win
easily.
The rapid narration of these events
may give some idea of the way the
time flew by for those principally
concerned in them. When the day
came that both could prepare for
the great journey to Peking they
fairly caught their breath in think
ing of the way the hours had hurried
past. But week must pass before they
could sail and these few days they de-
voted to rest. A way had been devised
in which Iii Yuen Wy could secure
some assistance in his teaching during
their absence, and, indeed, In his pride
at the prowess of his 1.-TWO sons," as he
had come to class them, he did not
shrink from the prospect of increased
toll for little while.
In these days Sho Mai and Ii Xiii
took many pleasant rambles through
the country, and in one of these they
visited the cave and passed out through
its gloomy corridors, moved by COM
mon impulse to see once more the place
where their eyes had first rested upon
each other. They paused beside the
pool from which the captains body had
long since been taken to better rest
ing place, and Sho Mai could not repress
a tear at the memory of the man who,
though many sins were doubtless upon
him, had yet proven her savior in dire
At length they merged upon the shelly
ing rocks facing the ocean.
"lt was here that L stood, Tien," said
Ii Xii, advancing to the edge.
"And had just come from this crevice
at the left" said Sho Mai. "Let us en-
act the scene again justas it transpired."
So the girl hid herself between the |
rocks, while Ii Xiii, folding his arms,
looked down into the sea as he had done
on that memorable morning, and tried |
to picture what life would have been
if the waves had swallowed all that came |
in the ship and had not spared him a
friend.
"Well, am ready" said he, atlength.
Appear, Tien, and let me greet you
again as one whom the sea has miracu-
lously spared"
'I-I can't" called Sho Mai, family;
my foot is caught between two great
rocks, can not free myself"
Laughing, Ii. Xiii ran to her assist
ance. There she stood in bondage, and
twist or pull as she might she could not
free herself. Ii Xii bent down, and
taking her foot in his hand pulled with
a gentle grip, yet SO strongly that the
rocks yielded, and she was free. But,
alas! the sandal came away in his grasp
IS he arose. Sho Mai gave faint little
scream and covered her face with her
hands. The young mans eyes sought
ler face in bewilderment.
"Are you hurt?" he cried. "Did I
pull too roughly, Tien?"
She did not answer, and he glanced
hastily down. If the great jewel of the
Smperor's diadem had laid upon the
'ock, he could not have been more sur
1rised at what he saw. And yet it was
lot so uncommon sight after all; only
! woman's foot!
Yes, thcro it was, plainly enough; a
foot neatly bandaged after the
manner of her sex. Ii Xiii fairly
,asped with amazement. He turned
lis eyes from the little foot to the san
lal he still held, and he gazed at it as
f it had been a charm by which the
ecrets of the universe had been re-
veaIed. So long he stood speechless
hat Sho Mai stole glance from under
Ter hands, and at the sight of his face
lad nearly laughed aloud.
eyes" she said, finding her voice be-