The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-02-10

| frown on his good looking face.
We'll, others have tried the same thing,
but there's always been trouble over it.
| Better get married-there are heaps of
nice girls here-and make it up with that
fellow who came to see you. BY the way,
what was he like?''
| ''Oh. he'd scar across the right side of
his face-looked the biggest scoundrel un-
! hung"
Peyton jumped up in dismay That's
Chung 81. the chief of the Highbinders.
II he took the trouble to come to you per-
sonally, it was because he wanted to be
! pleasant. and didn't think there'd be any
/ squabbling about prices. He'd have Sc
cured you the best Chinaman in Van
couver You weren't rude to him."
II was rather abrupt. Seemed an
ordinary looking scoundrel enough"
He's ordinary looking. but he's worth
a Slundred thousand pounds said Pey-
! ton, dryly. You take my advice, and let
him get you a servant. You'll find things
go much more smoothly all round. China
men are awkward devils if you get their
backs up. They stay up"
Burton thanked Peyton and went back
| to his little house. 1t seemed to him
that noiseless Celestial fitting about the
premises would give it an air of subdued
| cheerfulness. t4 the same time, he was
not going TO be dictated TO by Cinnamon
of any kind II the Highbinders offered
| him a cheap servant, he would take that
| cheap servant If they failed to come to
/ him, he would not go to them, but look
out for a man on his own account.
He went about vainly searching for
cheap Cinnamon, but no one appeared to
| have any in stock. When he came down
| the Chinese quarter, with its quaint
carved balconies full of banners and Ian
terms. the Cinnamon slid away as if by
magic. If he tried to speak to one and
laid hold of his blouse, it suddenly be-
caame empty
All this tacit opposition irritated Bur-
ton. In spite of Peyton's advice to de-
sist from his fruitIess quest he nightly
frequented the fan-tan and opium dens
in the hope of picking up somebody who
could minister to his domestic wants. He
grew lean and lantern jawed. and began
to have a Chinese look about his high
cheek bones. His eyes, from peering
round corners, seemed to elongate, the
fan-tan and opium dens were alike re-
pugnant to his nostrils and his sense of
decency, Burton began to take a strange
! interest in their Acknowledged frequenters.
They were such shsdowy, soft-foeted. yet
strong-muscled people. that he conceived
an immense respect for them. They
worked in the day time, apparently re-
quired no rest, and spent the Night in
opium smoking or gambling. A city de-
tective who sometimes accompanied Bur-
ton. officially caused IL TO be understood
than anyone molesting the mad English
man would be strenuously dealt with, and
the Chinaman began to look upon Bur-
ton as insane, but perfectly harmless.
Still, as they had received orders from
the autocratic Highbinders to have moth
ing to do with him, they effaced them
selves with noiseless celebrity whenever he
appeared in Chinatown
Sometimes, after following a light-foot-
ed Celestial down a dark passage from
which there waS no apparent outlet, Bur
ton felt himself on the verge of success.
Suddenly a little wicket opened il a door
at the end OF the passage, two small eyes
peeped out, the door flew wide, and. as he
rushed forward. 10. there was nothing
but blank wall
One night after an unusually exhaustive
search among the Merchants shops In the
Chinese quarter. Burton strolled back TO
his little house, feeling heartily discour-
aged. Had it not been for the look of the
thing he would long ago have settled with
the CHIEF or the Highbinders for $40 a
month. But having once said that he in
tended to get a Chinaman for $40, he
meant to stick to his word.
As he strolled homeward beneath the
light of the myriad swinging lanterns
Burton felt vaguely aware of being fol-
lowed. He looked sharply round. but
there was nobody in sight Once or
twice there seemed to be light shadow
thrown before him on the path. When he
put forth his hand to convince himself. the
shadow vanished, but a red rose lay in
the dusty road.
He was now in the country. on a wide.
open road. with the moonlight streaming
down upon it, If anybody followed him
there was no possible shelter. Presently
he became conscious that the way was
clear and walked on. after sticking the
rose carelessly in his bu5tonhole.
Although the little house looked very
coy in the moonlight. Burton could not
help thinking how much more beautiful it
would be if the garden were put in order
and the roses trained over the veranda.
He sat down in a rocking chair and dis
contentedIy lit a cigar Even the purrirg
of cat would have broken the monotony
of his homecoming. but there was no cat.
a shadow fitted across his path. Look
ing up Burton saw diminutive Celestial
satnding before him with humblyfolded
hands
What are YOU doing here?' he
What are you doing here?'' he asked.
sharply. making sure of his revolver.
You wantee Jerlohnee?" inquired the
shadow, with an ingratiating air
Yes Burton felt sure that the High
binders had at last relented and were
sending him servant. How much dol
lar?"
Twenty
'Flortee dollar pnantee' The shadow
smiled as if mentioning a bare pittance.
Get out" Burton frowned You're
only wasting time
The meek shadow did not move; its
hands were folded. in mute supplicstion.
"'Splose YOU no payee fcrtoe dollar?"
asked the shadow. after a pause
IN see you-further first. Twenty.
Not another cent
The shadow bowed an acQuiescent head
and glided into the house
HI" Burton shouted after it. What
you can?'
The shadow turned on the threshold,
II carried a bundle II, a blue handkerchief