The San Francisco call., 1899-04-09
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labyrinths of San Francisco; from
chimney top to underground dens he
would seek until he had found his lost
Yuen Ho.
He arrived here nearly four months
ago, and day by day and night after
night he climbed the terrible China
town sleeps, and haunted the dark cell
lars, always looking for Yuen Ho, the
bright sunbeam that had crossed his
life and was now gone.
At last he found her in prison at IL
Ross alley, suffering the most cruel tor
lures from Sing Yee-tortures intended
to end life within a life.
Loui Yong was broken hearted until
some one told him of the Christian mis-
sions. and then he met and confided in
Miss Cameron, and together they
planned the slave girls release.
1t is not the first Chinese love affair
that Miss Cameron has helped to win
but there has never been one yet in
which she has taken more active inter-
est nor has there been any so easily
won as this.
Yuen Ho promised to flourish a green
silk handkerchief that she might be dis
tinguished from the five slave girls who
lived in this house, and this was the
only instruction that the brave little
heroine failed to keep.
She was afraid that the unusual Gus
tom of carrying a green handkerchief
,
mistress and prevent her escape.
Officer McMurray was the first to en-
ter the door of the den, which stood
slightly ajar.
After a hasty survey he beckoned US
to follow.
Crowds of curious Cinnamon were
close at our heels and soon filled the
alley; but above all and over all Of the
excited mob there was one Chinaman
whose eyes were fixed upon doorway
and whose mouth was agape with pain
and expectation. Hope, fear and de-
spair all found lodgment there and re-
vealed the mans Identity.
He was Loui Yong, the lover.
A feeble light glowing from the dying
punks upon the hearth was all that the
reception-room to this red-painted
house afforded.
Through the dark length of a heavy
curtained hall floated the chattering
voices Of the slaves,
Suddenly all was hushed and the
frightened, timid girls one by one crept
back to their rooms, all but Yuen Ho,
who came out boldly and stood near
Officer Kane, with the sweet trust Of
child, while her lips were trembling
and her little hands f1uttered from her
gorgeous sam to her embroidered foo.
Oh, it was a motley crowd that was
packed in this dark house. Childhood,
youth and wrinkled old age were there
represented An old man of eighty
years lay on the bed hugging his opium
pipe, while a little boy of three was
playing with a doll.
In an instant Wan Kee had grabbed
the child and with one hand touched
spring and opened a trap door. Up
the narrow steps Wan Kee started,
through a stairway that was only nine
inches wide, and whose depth was as
black as midnight.
We followed in pursuit and on the
first landing passed through a door
punctured with iron bolts and soon
found ourselves in Ma Fong alley
where all was hurry -scurry.
watchman ran shouting through
the streets, Lock your doors; close
your windows" Slam, bang. went the
doors; jingle, jingle went the door
bells.
The alarm was given, the warning
needed, and in jiffy the alleys had
the appearance of deserted village.
But what of Sing Yee, the slave
owner, and the girl who was fighting
for liberty?
When the slave-owner fully compre-
hended her loss she raved and cursed
in her sharp. threatening tongue. and
called upon the laundering god of hell
to strike the girl dead when she crossed
her threshold.
Then she screamed by way of fare
we'll as Yuen Ho and her rescuers hur-
ried into the carriage: If you fly up
to heaven l will catch you by the heels
and bring you back again; if you go
down to hell l will snatch you by the
head and drag you back such is my
power to hold you:
The sequel OF this story will be told
in another chapter In a few months
there will be quiet wedding at the
Presbyterian Mission, but 1t will not oc-
cur until the beginning of the festival
of the moon, and then Yuen Ho. the
slave girl, will thereafter bear the name
of Mrs. Yong Ho.