The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1907-02-14
THE LITTLE
MANDARIN
By AMITY POINT
Copyright, by Joseph u. Bowles.)

Jermayne was not by any means a
bad sort of fellow. He had never
been intended for business; he
had been too highly educated, and at
his fathers death he found himself
in the position of a well-educated, pol
ished and wealthy individual with
nothing in which he could exercise
the inherited family srewdness.
One particular day, Jermayne came
to the stupendous conclusion that he
was In love. This conclusion was ar
rived at with all the deliberate care
which his cautious instincts necessi.
tated; II was final with him, and II
unrequited would involve a solitary
existence for the rest of his days.
The favored lady was not beautiful in
form or feature. neither was she tai.
ented or particularly clever. and she
was decidedly poor in the worlds
goods but she wac a general favorite
being gifted with a sweetness OF man.
ner and an ar'abllity altogether
charming; particularly so to Jer.
mayle.
1t was. he analysed. so obviously to
her advantage to accept him, yet he
did not desire her to marry him for
such comforts as he with his wealth.
could give her; what he wanted was
proof that she was absolutely dlsinter
ested that II would be FOR love. and
love only. that she would accept him
Late one winter afternoon Jer.
mayne was dressing preparatory to
going out for the evening. In the
course of that evening he fully
intended to place his future at
her disposal. He had secured tickets
for a certain annual charity festival
and In the course of an hour OF two
he would meet her there.
Jermayne was a man whose tastes
were unusual: he was fond of the
quaint and bizarre in art. and his
rooms abounded in ornaments OF curl
Gus origin and strange workmanship
Among these was a small figure o.
Chinese make. the figure of man
DARN with a nodding head: a fantas
tic image with solemn face and high
bald head that moved when touched
and kept moving for some minutes
afterwards
Exactly what the figure had to do
with after events Jermayne neve~
knew; It was strange circumstance
however, that as he held il in hi
hand he expressed the wish whicf
was so amply granted
''Tf," he said. II could read pas
lives and present thoughts but for one
day | should know whom could trust
and whom TO avoid"
He placed the little image back on
The shelf, and the figure commenced
nodding at him. He had placed
the mandarin in front of the
lady's photograph. and her face
seemed to smile at him; one of those
bewitching smiles which had sealed
Jermayne's affections. Then a haze
seemed to spread throughout the room.
my nerves must be out of order"
he said to himself, as he proceeded
with his toilet. He paused before
the mirror to put finishing adjust.
ment TO his tie, when suddenly, with a
gasp, he sank into chair, and it
came to him that his wish had been
granted. Just as in dream incidents
fash past one, which In waking hours
would take days to accomplish. so he.
in that brief moment had seen the
mean actions of his past life; the
childish deceits of his youth, followed
by a panorama of petty meannesses.
He became at once disenchanted with
himself as he sat in his chair, all his
little conceits gone from him.
With an effort he recovered himself
and finished dressing. keeping away
from the accusing mirror.
He pulled himself together, took
sip OF brandy, and went out into the
street.
At the second lamp he passed a
man, personal friend, and a good
fellow, well known for his charitable
ard benevolent nature. Jermayne |
avoided him ever afterwards. He
moved on rapidly with sickening
sense of what was to come
He came ext to a house where a
ball was being held. A lady was leav.
her to pass him, she raised her eyes
to his, and he knew her to be a lady
OF note, but, alas! he recoiled again |
at what was revealed to him.
Jermayne paused, turned round, and
hurried home, looking neither to right
not 10 left of him, avoiding the gaze
of all passers He FASTENED to his
rooms and flung himself on a couch.
He dared not face his sweetheart that
night, The housekeeper heard him,
looked In and then went out and called
a doctor. The doctor was young |
man with future before him; he was
friend Of Jermayne.s, and came
round at once.
Hello. Jermayne. what's the mat.
ter? Let's have look at you"
He felt his patient'a nulaa GA