Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-03-20

he tapped his forehead with his long
yellow nails.
With that he waved to the men, one
Of whom seized the wretched victim by
his legs and dragged him from the
chamber.
CHAPTER XVIII.
| woocHINa.
After this horrible experience we
were left in peace for some considera-
Bile time, or at least was, for Jim had
been removed to n separate cell, and 1
knew not how our captors were treat
Ing him. The monotony Of my exist
ence was broken only by the daily visit
of my jailer, who brought me food
and water with unfailing regularity,
but who never uttered a word. In.
deed, even If could have spoken Chi
nese. should have been just us unhap-
PLY circumstanced, for the man who
waited upon me, unfortunate wretch,
was tongueless.
1t being quite impossible for me, sit
uated as was. to tell night from day,
reckoned, having no other way Of
reckoning. that my TALLER paid me q
morning visit, and in this way kept
count of the time for some three or
four weeks. Then my figures got mud
died, and IN the end abandoned my
endeavors. With the spirit low, the
physical frame exhausted and hope
gone, what was there for me but to
sink into nothingness and pass away?
And feeling thus gradually fell into
such O comatose state that even Kung
and his Intentions no longer plagued
me. 1t mattered nothing what came.
Only II lie did not move soon knew
that he would come too late.
Then, after long waiting, another
scene was enacted in the drama.
One day, long, long after the punish.
ment Of All Yon, the lights flashed
once more in my cell, men ran to and
fro, and to my Joy and amazement
Jim was presently led in. He was still
upright and carried his head as man
who is ready to face any fate. but be
was very thin and haggard, and in
spite of his bearing there was the
WEAKNESS of death in his face.
He stood stock still as he saw me
and then took step forward, peering
closely.
'Its Davie?" he gasped.
"Yes."
"Thank God!'
He said no more, and really there
was nothing more to be said. Know
Ing him as did and the occasional
cynic frame Of his mind, 1 was sure
the thought would obtrude itself, Was
there SO much to thank God for7 The
condemned criminal, us he stands upon
the fatal trapdoor, as he feels the moose
nesting round his throat, might have
MS much cause to thank God that he is
not already dead. There is not always
hope while there is life.
He was triced up as before, while my
chain was shortened, thus compelling
me to stand upright, and for some min
utes was filed with conjecture as to
what would happen next. Kungs
chair was vacant, but ready to receive
him, and presently he appeared In COM
pany with Koon-Si and another. He
greeted me with smile, which have
q dim recollection of returning with n
stolid stare signifying nothing. Koon-
81 grinned as usual The other China
man, who Wore rich silk robe, kept
an impassive face.
From Kung and the carpenter my
glance went to this Individual and
there rested. For there was something
horribly familiar about his face, and
cudgeled my brains us had not done
for weeks. But whether my sight had
grown dim or my intelligence dull I
know not; this know, mist seemed
to rise between me and this man
through which I vainly strove to see.
"Behold our VISITORS" said Kung.
"As l have said, know not their
names, but perhaps my brother has
met them before?"
The stranger came close to me and
peered into my face, and l drew back
with shudder. 1t was the yellow
man with the strange eyes, Wooching.
You see," SAID he, turning to Kung
and speaking in English, ..'he rccog-
nizes me. Well met. Mr.. Kingston"
"KingstonY cried Kung, bounding to
his feet.
AYE, Mr.. Davie Kingston, son Of
Captain Kingston, who sailed away
With the writing Of Kung. This other
is his uncle, Mr.. Davie. This is an un-
expected pleasure, gentlemen. Be
lieve me, after the adroit manner in
which you outwitted me in London I
had no hopes Of meeting you on the is
land of Ching-hi. At later period, II
you have time. 1 should like you to tell
me how You did 1t, for, believe me,
your getting away was severe blow
to our prestige. We believed that we
need only play with you until we wish
ed to strike. In your England one has
to be extremely circumspect. Here 1t
is different. 1t was good of you to
come, for 1t relieves me of a great anx-
iety, as l shall now be able to devote
myself to the pursuit Of peace. Cen
tlemen. give you welcome to China"
could only look at him with burn
Ing, wondering eyes, my brain with a
confused motion hurrledly retracing
the past, but Jim spoke. and despite
the treatment to which he had been
subjected his voice was clear and firm.
"Why do you talk9" he said. I'VE
recognize that the game Is up. We
played the fool and must pay for our
folly. We were not afraid to come
hither We are not afraid to go hence"
| "Bravely spoken" answered Woo
ching. "Itgis inexpresslbly pleasing to
know that our guests are men Of such
undaunted courage. would had met
l WY, IN ,,ytnrp