Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1910-07-14

I
to sink into twilight ohscurity, FROM
which shadowy forms melted as If by
magic and left the narrow pavements
untenanted The sun had drawn be-
hind heavy black cloud. and low
mutter of thunder vibrated the build
ings.
Where have they gomez" he ques-
toned wondering.
Scott shrugged his broad shoulders.
''rm afraid Wen find out in min
ute," he growled. II was fool to
humor you, Granville. We're in dew
IFS mess"
Il don't understand now what it's all
about. Neal. What harm have we
done merely asking a few Questions?"
Granville's voice took on an injured
tone.
II told you it was foolhardy to med
die in things that do not concern u.s.
Well have to run the gantlet of some
thing. as we must do now"' Scott
spoke in low tone. but his voice was
acute with restrained feeling.
run the gantlet" echoed Granville
family.
The other pointed up the gray tun-
mel of the street. where patch of
lighter gray shone like window in a
high wall.
''See that?" he asked.
"Yes."
That's the end of the street, the ton
nf fha vyoIl rrbu .r,ov cy,nt a, ,,nr rvooI
now. Give me your gun. Dick. I'll
understand when to give it back TO
you. never fear. There. Follow me- |
Run for your life toward that gray
square of light at the top Of the wall |
Remember, there are IA thousand vel. |
and lurking in alleyways. Our safety |
depends upon our speed. Ready-go"
Like arrows from the bow the two
men shot forward. Scott lending by IL
bare twelve inches. Granville'S face |
was quite pale. and he tried not to see
the peering faces even as Scott had |
described them. He heard long hiss
ing breaths. and strange shrll cries |
broke behind him as he ran. They I
passed through an empty street. yet as
they passed it was peopled behind
them with padding trit-trot of feet and
low cries and shrill cackleS.
Scott's long. white clad form covered
the distance with amazing agility. 10 |
Granville's tired eyes he seemed mere
" a white streak which he must fol-
low or be struck in the back
Time and again he felt that some
assassin hand hovered over him. yet |
he dared not turn his head lest the
hand make the downward stroke.
He painted up the incline in Scott'S
wake, with starting eyes garing at the
gray patch of light growing larger
every moment. Behind him sharp
cries mingled with the pushing crowd.
Afterward he never heard that shrill
cry of the Chinese. ''Hai YAH" with
out the same feeling of blind terror
that pursued him up the incline of the
Jade Stone street to the very parapet
of the wall. where he fell breathless
beside his friend.
1t was several moments before he
realized that they were safe at the
end of the street. Several white clad
forms troopSd along the wall from the
river gate and. sitting on the parapet.
stared inquisitively at Granville.
Feel better, old chapY' they asked
in chorus.
Haven't got all my wind back" ad-
mitted Granville dazedly. He wonder
ed vaguely why these chaps from the
club should have appeared at the very
moment when. the danger over. he
and Scott had reached zone of safety
at the top of the hill. Their smiling
faces under white sun hats and the
general air Of hilarity that prevailed
during the lighting of cigarettes SEEM
ed strangely out Of place after bis race
with death. He shuddered slightly
and turned to Scott.
That gentleman had Joined the 9th
ars on the wall and seemed more in
tent on the fight Of a carrion crow
lrifting black against the gray clouds
han on the recent exciting events.
why is it called the Jade Stone
,ITeetS GEduNAiIes SHlCAcEcO OGaiS
from the end of the row.
Granville stared. at first uncompre-
lendIng and at last with growing
light. He got upon his feet and
Jcraped the mud from his white shoes.
was it plant?' he demanded.
Their roars Of laughter answered his
question.
he turned and looked down the
street and into the jostling. shifting |,
.rowd. A shrilI "hai yah" pierced the
lir. and be felt the hair crinkle along
lis forehead and turned back swiftly
o hide his agitation
Initiation. suppose" he grunted,
lalf angry. wholly relieved for the
{
Scott's mirthful face sobered. and he
cached out a hand and pulled Gran
lille down beside him. We've all
een through the mill. Dick" he ex
lained. "Its the only way to teach [
newcomer to keep away from the
ative city if he has any idea of pry- @
lg around. We run the new chaps
hrough this street So many OF US n
ave run the gantlet that the natives
atch on in a minute when they see a 4
ouple Of US drawing near and one a
tr9nver They loud themselves nm