The San Francisco call., 1908-09-20
BY
YATES SLIDING ID

one missiOn-tO Detray ner AONeI LieO
the hands of the governor AT tnis
81 tbe door And yet there ne STOOD,
cav unconscious of the coming peril.
oanerousIv unquestioning the honor OF
his host.
Tall knew only too well the awful
death that would be his. once IN the
power of the cruel mandarin, deatn oy
the sli chi" or the thousand cuts
ten hundred wounds must be inflicted
before the head is mercifully seVereu
from the butchered trunk
Night had fallen and the great room
was lit by many iickering wicks IN
their bowls of oil The women ana
children, gorged with the Ieast. hao
retired to the womens quarters
alone remained to gaze with terriheu
ewes at her husbands guests. their
senses misty with the strong fumes OF
samshu. reeling, reviling and' ehant-
ing discordantly to the harsh strains OF
the musicians
Unsupported on her tigntly oOunu
feet. she edged close to Tai Ting and
nIucked him by his flowing robe. From
her heart she had cast out fear HAD
he not come. Drawing this terrible
death TO do her honor? 1t were eut
fitting she should repay by forreltins
her unhappy life to save him from
torturing end. He bent low TO listen
while his eyes ever StuAlcu Oh e-C
face of old Cha Tung-
THE wolf must fly hence. My lord
has broken his PLEDGE she breathed-
The youth moved not muscle; the
smile seemed frozen on his tranquil
face.
Little fawn." he whispered. "didst
believe that I would put my body
within the python's coils and leave
my knife behind?"
Tall trembled in her anxiety. why
would he not understand?
The soldiers OF the governor are
even now outsidei pray thee save thy
self before IL is too late"' she cried
beseechingly.
Tai Ting turned and gazed into her
Does the fawn then so pity the
wolf that she would sacrifice her life
for his?" he made answer.
Tall lowered her eyes for shame
under his ardent gaze
Thou art blind" she answered soft
ly. 1T is not pity IN Tails heart.
The pirate chieftain gave a great
start and the hand holding the we'd
ding cup shook so violently that the
amber liquid spilled over his silken
robes.
But again the sinister voice OF her
husband caused the girl to tremble-
Come, Tai Ting. drink at thy we'd
ding feastr' he cried. bowling In mock
courtesy.
The guests snatched up their goblets.
while a murmur of wonder sounded
throughout the room
Upon the face of old Cha Tung an
ugly Ieer displayed the mOcking smile
as his eyes rested upon the quaxing
maiden.
Tonight Tai Ting. the pirate. will
be woed and won by deaths most beau
tiful daughter. the Incompatible Ii
Chi" he ended In a savage laugh. cast
ing his fiagon from him untasted- Then
he turned triumphantly upon the faint
ing Tall, clingfng close TO her lover.
And thou. brazen woman. dIsloyaI
wife, thou shall Join thy lover this
very nfghtP'
Then Tai Tings Joyous laughter
struck terror to the hearts OF the as
sembled guests. while on the sweet
face of little Ta-L a great fear was
seen.
by the sacred laws OF my clan.''
the youths voice rose clear. he who
pledges safety to a pirate and straight q
way betrays him is doomed TO die and
his worldly goods to be divided His
wife must choose another husband, else
accompany him on his endless jour
ney.'
Across the~face of old Cha Tung
there swept a cloud OF suspicion He
marveled at the bOldness OF the rob-
ber. no doubt believing that his life
ever bore a charm. Had he not heard
the signal from his man sent to betray
the pirate into the governments hands?
One word. one ign and the soldiers
would fill the room and the hundred
thousand taels would be won. But
yet there stood the youth, fiercely de-
fiant to the last.
"Will the fawn make choice?" the
pirate cried. moving toward the door:
the cringing crowd making way before
his menacing strength.
Tall clung closely TO her lover
Death with him she welcomed gladly
Cha Tung's wrath blazed forth in tor
steadily to his feet and cried out
shrilly to seize the outlaw
Upon the tyrant's face an awful fear
of death was stamped as the room
filled with motley crowd of armed
men, while there in chains was he who
had been sent to betray Tai Ting
The youth lifted the slight girl in
his arms and with her passed into the
night.
Tall suddered as her eyes fell upon
the bridal chair. with its dark barbaric
draperies. awaiting grimly at the door
to carry her to the house OF old Cha
Tung
Her lover felt her tremble and turned
his head.
Thy bridal chair shall be my Junk
whispered. turning his steps toward
the river.
Within the house a bright blade
flashed and little Tall was free to
choose her mate