The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1908-12-25

one OF his periodical visits 10 the tow
where he sold his farm produce
brought the incomprehensibl Al
Quong in his train. At first she coul'
scarcely believe her own eyes. an,
though her husband shouted a joyous
greeting TO her. she scarcely ven
tured 70 return his salutation, bu
walking around 10 the back OF tn,
buggy. looked up into the stolid fac,
OF the impassive QuOng There he sat
as unconcerned as any old joss. anC
not unlike one. she thought His at
titude was one OF easy negligence
and 10 her uncompromising stare ol
disgust he blinked an impressive cur
iosity His feet. dangling over the
tailboard Of the buggy. were unshOd
while his dress was curious mixture
OF heathendom and larrikinism. on
the top Of a long yellow throat was
affixed a head quite remarkable for
its lack OF beauty. while down the
hack OF his greasy blouse hung 4 long
black pigtail." which reminded her
OF nothing SO much as a venomous
snake.
The husband. finging the reins on
the horses back and slowly dismount-
ing. came round 10 her.
What's the matter. Jess
Him"
She stared fxedly unto the impas-
sive yellow face. but made no other
sign OF movement
"Oh. that's Quong You've heard
me speak OF him? Was cook up at
TararOoka in the old days. a good
old joss stick, isn't hee"
What's he doing here?"
Il brought him along 10 help you.
Met him over az Mangaratta. Rather
down on his uppers. as sou can see;
I'm fact. he seems 70 have neither sole
nor upper. Asked for a job, and-and
well. old girl, you know you'll be
weaker before you're better"
He looked at his wife lovingly He
was big man. with big. strongA3ms.
and the shoulders Of a prize OK: but
as his clear brown eyes ran over the
woman by his side they grew soft as
a girls and she might have seen the
pride and love glistening in them had
she turned for a moment from the
yellow man.
You know I hate Chinkies.' she
said.
All. but you won't hate old Quong
The beggar nursed me up TararOOka
way when ! was down with the fever
IL was close thing. Jess But for
that yellow image there should
never have known YOU
Still. I don't like the breed. | don't
want him. and won't have him"
He flung a big arm round her aand
drew her 70 him.
You shall have just what you
want. my dear. so don't worry that
pretty head OF yours"
He caressed her with both voice
and hand. as one would a spoilt child;
and. Ike a child. she nestled 10 MIN.
In this woman lay all his Joy. all his
hope. and he knew that women in
her condition are prone 10 WITNESSES
Il admit he's not beauty" he con-
tinued coaxingly, but | owe him one.
and ! know you wouldn't have me
play the dog. even on a Chinkie. Be
sides, the poor beggar was on his last
legs, and he's got grit in him. in spite
Of his breed. ! repeat. couldn't do
less than bring him along; but wei
give him a week or SOS trial. and II
you can't stick any more OF him, we'll
pack him on
She shook her head. repeating
stodily almost mechanically, Il don't
ike Chinkies"
Neither do lin the lump. But
rather think Quong is a BIT excep-
tional"
Closer that big arm pressed her. II
was something Ike the grip Of a bear.
but she didn't seem to mind H. Per
haps she rather liked that protect
ng. rough caress.
He turned 10 the impassive Chow.
who all this time had sat blinking
lbliquely at the woman. apparently
'erenely Indifferent as TO the result
~ their cOgitatiOns.
Now. then. Quong. look alive and
make yourself useful. Get down and
Dut up the horse"
All u. Dick"
And. bark We. my friend: no Dick
I you please. I'm the boss now"
All II. boss"
And something more. Quong: this
$ the missis. you understand. What
he says | say; what she thinks
hink"
Me alice same sabbee." answered ,
he imperturbable Quong. as he slip
ed from the buggy. sided up to the
Iorse's head and softly led IL away.
The man and woman walked slowly
oward the house-an Indifferent ,
wooden affair which he had built /
With the aid Of a distant neighbor. ,
.ong years this man had lived alone !
n the wilderness. rolling from station ,
o station. aimless. purposeIess. until !
me day he looked into Jess soft ,
ray eyes. noted the golden sheen in !
er hair. the extraordinary white skin .
hat the sun had not touched. Then
e began TO think seriously OF life.
And SO he saved a little and Dor. }
owed a little. and took up his selec- :
lon. and on II he built a house. Low.
ngly. tenderly. because she had Z
romised 20 come and look after il :
or him Most 81 the furniture he !
lade with his own hands. rough stun. !
D be sure. vet shaped and smoothed !
nth loving fingers; but the cane /,
ocking chair he purchased al a store 7
a Wangaratta. That rocking chair !
ad been the dream Of his life. He =
ancied he could see Jess sitting I'm II I
n winter nights. the glow OF the fire +
D her hair and on the red OF her y
rnnfh Thnra no min 4..hs =.