The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1903-01-16


KEGS soul was fired with n deter
for that would insure the success OF
his every undertaking during the year
| And poor Kee had dire need OF all the
help IL could give him, for while he had
stood chatting with the emanclpated
Toy, her father, Chew Bang, as is Of.
ten the way OF fathers. had watched
| them from an opposite doorway. Such
conduct on the part Of his carefully
| brought-up daughter was almost be
| yond belief, and as he watched her
| talking boldly to a man Oh the street,
| knowing the eyes OF the world were
| upon her, in Mortified surprise his little
blas-cut eyes grew wicked looking.
Every minute OF this scandalous beha-
vior was bringing down Toys selling
price. and Kee, the miserable, low born
pauper, knew IL. Perhaps he was
doing Il 10 make her an unsaleablc
chattel, Bang told himself, In order
that he might get her at n bargain.
Yes. that was undoubtedly the reason,
he decided. and Toy. poor. misguided
little fool, had not wit enough to see IT,.
But he was prepared 10 nip such an
unheard-of Irritation In the bud In an
effectual way. And his teeth met with
vicious click as he started off down
the alley on noiseless little trot.
When the bomb-casting began Kee
took n reluctant leave Of Toy, and was
soon lost I'm the crowd, but Bang fol-
lowed him closely. The bomb IL pro-
jected high in the air. while the men
struggle to catch 1t as II comes
down. The squabbling and yelling
and actual fighting over IL show how
firmly their faith IL pinned to this su'
perstition. and the victor is borne
away with shouts and cheers, while
the less fortunate ones slip away
with black eyes, bleeding noses and
sometimes serious breakages.
Chew Bang blded his time until Kee
entered the lists. then took his place
near him. He held his right arm very
straight. and guarded II from being
jostled by the scurrying crowd.
AS the bomb rose In the air and all
up to Kee, and when the great scufIle
began Kissed into his ear, with an ugly
yellow smile: 81 have a score TO settle
with you. III teach you not TO insult
my daughter" The bomb had turned,
and was coming down. If Kee got out
of range he knew he would lose his
chance at II. Get awayw he snapped
at Bang. But the adored Toys father
pulled him by the sleeve toward the
edge OF the mob. "If you touch me
again I'll kick you out" muttered Kee.
in desperation. But old Bang. with the
agility OF cnt, had caught the knife
from his sleeve. and Kee felt his cold.
sharp rejolnder penetrating between
his ribs Ms he sank TO the ground. BY
the time the bomb had descended and
had been caught, however. Chew Bang
was standing on the other side OF the
crowd. an interested spectator
Meanwhile the beautiful Toy was
still smiling to herself and craning her
neck TO follow certain tall contestant.
When the report OF the stabbing was
passed through the crowd. she instant
ly got out OF her carriage, and hobbled
and bobblcd along the sidewalk until
she reached the spot where poor Kee
lay PROSTATE on the ground. Her coun-
trymen were too much excited to do
anything but jabber and jostle one
another. and because Toy was wom-
an, they fell back. conscious OF their in
a1nntonu n IN hn acin oil
shift the responsibility TO more capable
shoulders. Tenderly she raised his
head so he might breathe. This re-
stored his consciousness sufficiently for
him TO speak, but when Toy bent low
To catch his last word. she heard not n
"Chew Bang did IT," he faltered. "be-
cause"
Toy understood only too well. and
waved the bystanders back into n
wider circle so there might be no posi-
bllity OF his words being overheard.
"Who did IT." several asked. seeing
Kee could still speak: "ask him before
il Is too late"'
Toy turned toward the crowd surgng
closer about her. and read their purpose
in their faces. Then she glanced at the
man on the ground. whose eyes still
looked into hers with the meaning
that had first stirred the revolt in her
heart against the colorless life enforced
upon her by Oriental custom and her
fathers severity. But mingled with that
other look was an appeal 20 her for ven
geance. for TO die with his blood una.
for Christian to die unshriven. And
again she heard the name OF her father
repeated In whisper as his murderer.
The nearest bystanders began 10 call
TO kee himself for the name of his as.
sassin. Toy raised her head 10 answer
them. but suddenly she found that. I'm.
der this test. she was not merely Toy.
the emancipated. but the product Of
countless ancestor W orshipng genera.
tions, TO whom duty to parent is a
fundamental tenet
The American doctor Is coming" /"
she presently heard one OF her country.
men say. and instantly the thought
flashed through her mind: Could he.
by care and skill. take out the knife
and stanch the blood so Kce might
liyep III this were possible. then was
her emancipation sure. for Bang would
he in their power. and all opposition
ended. Yes. ended, because her faith.
er's old age would go down in disgrace.
possibly imprisonment. Here. how
ever. the dominating forces OF centuries
again surged I'm upon her. and her new.