The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1909-05-13
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/ drivers amt got good sense even when
they're, so to speak. sober. which amt
/ often" he soliloduized. well, lady, II
they've took to the Chinese quarter,
we'd better be looking up a Chink to
help us, guess. | know a fairly de-
cent one"
Il think | know better" inter.
rupted Mrs Winter. with faint smile.
She had detected suppressed pity
in the mans regard. Motor slowly
along the street. There is a shop. n
can find It, where there ought TO be
a man"
"Man you know? Say. lady, guess
better go in with you. II you don't
mind"
No: stay in your car. You don't
know how safe | am. Not only my
gray hair protects me. but have
only TO say a few words and any OF
these men will fight for me II neces-
sary. But this is in conhdence-just
between us. you understand. You are
not to repeat Il. ever"
She looked at him with a frank
smile. and involuntarily his hand went
up to his cap. What you say goes.
lady. But jest remember I'm right
here. spark going all the time. ready
TO throw her wide open when you step
in; and"-his voice sank-'T amt alb
solutely unprepared for scrap.
either"
Il understand" said she, looking at
him keenly. and few moments later
she stepped briskly into the shop be-
fore which he halted with little light
ening Of the heart because OF this un-
couth knight of the lever. The shop
itself was like any one OF a score on
the street. crowded with oriental OBJ
jects, bizarre carvings OF ivory and
jade. daggers and strings OF cash.
swords. gorgeous embroidered robes
of silk and gold In a huddle over a
counter or swinging and cleaning in
the dusky background. squat little
green and brown gods with puffy eye
lids, smiling inscrutably amid shoes
and fans and Chinese lanterns OF glass
and bronze. glittering with beads-in
all these, like the score about Il:
yet the clean windows and a certain
order within gave it touch out OF the
common. A man and boy served the
shop, both In the American dress, with
their pigtails tucked under the visor
less caps. Both greeted her IN the
serene oriental fashion. bowling and
smiling. their obsequious courtesy
Showing M ornaIfaof ofgr ~ tba o,,r
prise which the sight OF an unattended
woman must have given them.
Nevertheless. Mrs. Winter was
aware that both. under their lowered
eyelids. took cognizance OF that soft
caryen disk Of Jade among the laces
on her breast She asked the man IL he
had seen a lad and an older man. or Il
might be two older men. one a police
man, come into that or any other
neighboring shop. She explained that
the lad was her granddaughter and was
lost (she eschewed the harsher word,
for she had no desire to set afioat a
rumor which might bring the police
upon herr. She named a sum large
enough to kindle a sudden CLEAN in
the boys eyes. as the reward awaiting
the lucky man who might put her on
the right track. But her words struck
no responsive spark from the China
mans yelled gaze. In perfect English
and very soft voice he avowed ig-
norance and sympathy with the same
breath.
And all the while she could feel his
glance slant down at the Jade orna-
ment.
Send the boy to look In the shop
next door," said she. AS she spoke
she raised the charm between her
thumb and her first two fingers. look.
ing at him, directly. Her tone was
that OF command. not request. He
frowned very slightly. making an al.
most imperceptible gesture. TO which
she returned a single Chinese phrase,
spoken so low that had he not ex.
pected the words they had been indis-
tinguishable to his ear. Instantly he
addressed the boy rapidly in their own
language. The boy went out. The
master OF the shop returned 20 Mrs.
Winter. His manner had utterly
changed; the bridesmaids perfunctory
Difference was displaced by an almost
eager humility OF bearing. He would
have her sit-there were a few cane
seated American arm chairs. in gro
tesque contrast 10 all their accom-.
paniments-he Frustrated himself be
fore her; he put himself at her ser
vice; still to her trained eye there was
corner Of his mind where incredulity
wrestled with a stronger emotion.
do not fear" she said, gently. 1T
is really my own. and he gave It TO me
himself. almost 80 years ago. He
was hardly 80 years old himself then.
You see, my husband had been so for.
tunate as TO do him a kindness. II
was he who had II first When he
died II came to me. and now for the
second time in my life | am using IT,
| knew you belonged. | saw the sign.
Win you help me find my boy?"
ibid your ladyship know he is he'e
In San Flanslco?"