Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-01-16

II tcds received by Ktng and some SCORE
OF the CHIEF members Of the society,""
have been told of Bob Kingston, but no
one can ever say that he struck man
in the dark. If he did things he never
cared to boast of, 1t was all for the
sake of some one who loved him, some
one whom. in spite of appearances, he
never ceased to love. And let this be
with you always when you Judge.
think this is something that owe my
self-a little thing, perhaps, very
small virtue. But we men of small vir-
tues cling tenaciously to them. Can
you blame us? They are all we have.
My orders were imperative. l was
to delay no longer than was necessary
for my preparations, so early the next
morning ! left Tien-tsin and set out for
the capital, dressed, of course. as a Chi
nese, the false scalp which l always
wore providing me with the necessary
pigtail 1t was fine weather, and MOTH
Ing but my thoughts married the pleas
antness of the Journey guessed in
stinctively that was followed every
step of the way. Indeed more than
once, unless was much mistaken,
could have laid my hand on the socie-
tvs spy. But that occasioned me no
concern. for Kung did not do business
on haphazard principle. Ignored the
fellows presence and went on my way.
Upon arriving ut the capital went
at once to certain house near the Tar
tar town, showed the owner paper on
which was displayed the sign of the So
ciety, and without more ado he led me
to an apartment and inquired my wish
es and behaved in manner which fur
ther increased my respect for the Or
ganization over which Kung presided.
Could single handed hope to defeat
such power? l asked myself this
question because in spirit was al
ready in revolt 1t was impossible that
should commit this murder. knew
1t from the first moment l had been
chosen. was sure of 1t when went
back to the ship. had become certain
during my journey to Picking. How
then could thwart the scheming of
Kung and his confederates, how save
myself? To leave the capital without
accomplishing my purpose would besto
court instant death, for death was the
punishment of those who disobeyed the
mandates of the society. To betray the
society was last thought, but it was
one that had been knocking at the door
of my brain, and now 1t entered. There
was for me no other way Of escaping
my destiny. must murder Lowan or
betray my friends. Stay! There was
still another way. might commit sui
eide. But, truth to tell, this last re-
source did not appeal to me. The soci-
ETY. would make me murderer. Was
l not justified in graphing with such q
fate?
when one wishes to justify oneself,
the adaptability of the human con-
science is nothing short of marvellous
l wished to believe that would be do
ing right In betraying this awful plot,
and had little difficulty in convincing
myself, of the genuineness Of that be-
lief. offer no excuse for my double
dealing, and solicit no apology. 1t
was a matter of life and death, and 1
was not base enough to murder nor he
roic enough to die.
Accordingly l sought out Lowan
and after due precautions unfolded the
whole conspiracy. and he, cunning dog
that he was. commended me highly for
my devotion to the throne and prom
ised to overwhelm me with riches IL
my story should prove true. The dis.
coyery Of such plot us this would
mean for him viceroyalty at least.
The emperor did not forget those who
served him well. The Son of Heaven
was the cornerstone Of wisdom. thu,