The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1908-04-10

stretched MS IooC COWdTu Tic rDioAO.
without, the snow fell ceaselesly.
It's large. whirling, flakes settled on
the sedan chairs. the wheels OF tne
rickshas and the shoulders OF the cool-
les.
The tall buildings beyond the consu-
late grounds were outlined in soft,
cleaning white. A large covered
chair, held by three coolies. was car
ried up the path to the door OF the con-
sulate.
Hartman aroused himself as one
coolie entered with lights and another
announced the presence Of the great
Lu Luang. The ceremony OF greeting
over with. the old mandarin seated
himself and drew his chair to the nre.
The consul waited Courteously Tor
him to explain his errand, but the Ola
man remained silent. his eyes fixed on
the leaping flames.
His robe Of gray silk, fur-lined and
embroidered in gold and scarlet but
fterflies, caught the light and SHIN
mered with each movement. It sur
passed anything the American mad
ever seen.
1--WE are having bad weather." Ven-
tured the consul.
eyes. Shanghai is wrapped in snow,
while Canton is gay with butterflies
and flowers. But what can we expect?
Is this not China?" With an express
i've wave Of the hand
The young consul, compromising
the Chinese character and knowing
the old mandarin well. waited for him
to continue the conversation. At last
the other turned slowly, and fixed his
black eyes on the consul's face.
81 have come to ask you favor.
very seldom ask fayors"
Hartman bowed. 81 place myself at
your service" he replied.
The mandarin spoke quietly.
81 have traced the jewels
"Ah! that is good news. And you
have found the theft" The Ameri'
can looked up with interest.
"There was no thief, Lu Luang
spoke qulelly.
what! No thief"
81 say they were not stolen
The consul hid his surprise as best
he could. Lu Luang looked languidly
around him.
1--WE are alone?"
Certainly"
''Then | shall explain. For my
own reasons it was best to report
them stolen. They were taken away
by the thieving hands Of Lu Luang
Do you follow me?"
The. consul bowed gravely. "You
have sold them?''
Eyes, / needed great deal of
money. Work is impossible for a
Chinese nobleman. therefore was
forced to sell the jewels of my ances-
tors to obtain this sum, | shall some
day recover them. They are safe.
They brought to me vast sum-"
Undoubtedly" At this juncture
the servant entered with liqueurs, and
after he had departed the old man
continued.
by mistake our household token
and treasure, the beetle of the house
of Luang, was sold with the lot. sit is
a small piece of feather jewelry, in it.
self almost valueless, but necessary to
the welfare of our family. AS | knew
not that it was kept with the jewels, /
did not miss it. The fury Of the gods
has descended upon us. My son is dy-
ing. The beetle must be recovered"
Hartman rose with an expression
of sympathy, and crossing over to the
old mandarin, stood before him.
Cannot the physicians help your
SOM" EE
The old Chinaman shook his head.
Medical help can do nothing for him.
The token must be recovered. 1t was
a gift of the gods to my forefathers.
We have provoked their anger, and
my sons life is dependent on their
good pleasure" "
The dignity and sincerity of the
stately old man deeply impressed the
the American. Ak
Cant you recover the emblem from
the purchaser of your jewels%
mo, he has sold it. But wait I do
know where it is. He sold it to the
mandarin, Gum Sag Lee. He, in turn,
has placed it in the hands of Song
Wen, the auctioneer, in Canton. to be
sold at auction in four days"
Cant you buy it back before the
auction takes placer" 3ael
mo. Song Wen has been instructed
not to sell the jewel to me~~-Gum Sag
Lee will publicly buy it back at the
auction. That will clear him of any
underhand method of acquiring it,"
Cant you oyer-bid him?"
seNro NFv taal ARA Fau IIfs ~