The new North-west., 1897-04-09

:, cab by that time.'
The bargain was completed. Withou
asking any questions, the adventurou
Chinaman entered the vehicle with tn
strange woman and was quickly driver
up Depont street toward the bushes
portion of the city. Wee Wung did no
choose to disclose his identity, fo
shreWd reasons of his own. In the frs
place, he preferred that his new com
panion should believe him to be a WON
an, because If she realized the true STATE
of things, he feared that she might not
give him the five-dollar job after all
Second, he wished to keep his curious
trip into the city close secret, for if
the manager of the theater discovered
that the little comedian had played
truant in order to earn extra money.
he might not approve of the adventure
at all. So Wee Wung held his tongue,
and said not word to the lady seated
beside him as the cab rumbled along
the street, although he could not but
feel some curiosity to know what he
was expected to do in return for the
money. Tie lacy volunteered no infor-
nation upon the subject, however, so
the dark.
| In a short time the cab came to a
| stop in front of large building, the
| topmost part Of which-so Wee Wung
| noted as he gazed upward-appeared to
be brilliantly lighted. The little Mon
ali iny,t, E,,;~ L.
hand, leading him into the building and
into an elevator, and accompanying him
in flying journey to the top floor. Soon
Wee Wung found himself on platform
in the brightly Illuminated hall which
he had seen from the street. His guide,
the woman of the cab, ushered him 10
one side of the platform, behind a cur
tain, where another lady seemed to be
waiting for them. A TALL straight, rath-
er handsome woman she was, and she
Wore the most curious costume that
Wee Wung had ever seen upon an
American lady.
Il have found Chinese woman for
you, Mrs. PinkeyCreston," said Wee
Nungs woman as she led the supposed
Chinese girl into the presence Of the
strangely costumed lady.
"Oh, l thank you so much. Mrs. Hes
per- replied Mrs. Pinkley- Creston, en-
Enthusiastically. I'm sure l don't know
what l should have done without your
KIND assistance. 1t is after O'Clock,
ana must begin at once, or my audi
ence Will be growing impatient"
After bidding Wee Wung remain
where he was until told to step forward,
Mrs. Pinkley-Creston walked out to the
center Of the platform, while Mrs. Hes
per took seat in the audience. Ry
peeping around the curtain behind
which he was stationed, the little Chin
aman could see that the hall was filed
with women. There was not a man
among them. What did 1t all mean?
" ny had he been brought here? Wee
Nung was sorely puzzled. What kind
ii entertainment was this, and what
}art could he possibly take in it? But
Mrs. Pinkley -Creston had begun to talk,
md Wee Wung strained his ears in or
ler to hear something that might throw
light upon the bewlldering situation.
My dear friends" began Mrs Pink
ey-Creston, Il come before Won t}-
light to repeat my somewhat celebrated
ecture upon 'Woman's Dress in Differ
mt Nations. | have always been an
ldent advocate of dress reform. md i'm
his sacred cause | have Travelled over
he world so that l might become thor
ughly acquainted with the costumes
worm by the women Of different nation
lties. | now propose to take each ma
ION, one at time, and describe to yon
he native dress of its women I shall
fSt call your attention to the Chinese
not that they come first, necessarily.
the matter of proper dress but be- =
ause | have secured a Chinese woman :
rom Chinatown to illustrate this part :
my lecture, and do not wish to take =,
p too much of her time" -
Here Mrs. Pinkley-Creston turned her f.
cad and smiled sweetly at Wee Wune
ad beckoned him on to the platform s
Afore the audience. Poor Wee Wing Fl
as terror stricken as he stepped intn
eW. lie had appeared upon the boards C
le greater part of his life, but had o
ever experienced stage fright before. il
NOW, all viii notice." continued Mrs. Il
taking the end of Wee L,
ung's silken gown in her hands "that
e Chinese women Wear only the most g
1t and ciinging outer garments. which
e not only comfortable to the Wearer II
1t very pleasing to the eye as we'll. d
heir great wide sleeves | also sane
IN, and trust the day will come when fl
women VIII wear them. AS for the .
lderSarments Of the Chinese women.
regard them as most sensible and st
alseWorthy. Now, my good woman st
e lecturer went on, addressing Wee 81
ung, II wish that you would show the Of
dies the rest Of your clothes, and tell
EN- IN your best English the manner ~
which you dress" hi
A luminous light flashed into Wee ~
ung's almond eyes. At last he I'M
rstood it all.
Chinese gal no talkee," he said in his
lsetto voice, shaking his head yigor-
Sly, IT Mclean lady no pay five dol
l."
She is afraid that will not pay her
money which l promised her for