Smyrna times., 1911-08-30
A Story of China
By CLARISsA MACKIE

attraction or congenial natures there |
developed warm personal liking.
Garland was from the state of Maine.
and Harpeth was a son of California.
Out of 100000 human souls fate
had drawn these two. one from the
east and the other from the west, to
play the principal parts in a strange
incident
They had left the fairy islands of
Japan far behind and were drawing
near to the fat outline Of the China
coast.
Are you going to stop over in
Shanghai?' asked Garland, with a
touch of Yankee inquisitiveness
Haven't heard you say"
There was a little pause while Har-
peth's eyes sought the rising coast line.
Possibly" He clipped the word
rather sharply.
Garland glanced at him curiously
'You know really didn't mean to pry
into your affairs" he said apologetical
ly. IT'S rather a natural question for
one tourist to ask another"
Surely; no harm DONE" returned
Harpeth quickly. How about your
self-you going to stop Over?'
1t was Garland's turn to show embar
rassment. The quick look of interrO-
cation he flashed at his companion
was met by Harpeth's expression Of
languid Indifference. 1t was quite
plain that Harpeth had asked the ques
ton merely to make conversation. not
that he cared a rap about the matter
Maybe I'll stop over to see the city,"
said Garland.
Clumsy junks came teetering over
the sea toward the mouth of the
Yangste, but the Tropico left them
far behind as she steamed up to her
anchorage Off Wusung and landed her
eager passengers on to the little trans
fer tugs that would convey them up
the tributary tidal river. the Huangpu.
to hospitable Shanghai
In the crowd Garland and Harpeth
missed each other, accidentally or by
design. Garland could scarcely wait
for the tug to make her landing at the
jetty before he was off and swinging
away up the bund toward the hOrel
of his choice.
The electric lighted hotel. with its
air of western luxury mingled with
its quiet eastern service, impressed the
Yankee wanderer most favorably, and
he retired to, his room and bath. whis-
Ting cheerfully at the prospect of the
4 khnk H.
awaited him below.
But when the meal was concluded
and he had enjoyed the gasuonomic
delights which his fancy had conjured
up he retired to the smoking room to
pore over a queer little map drawn
with brush strokes Of india ink on
mottled tissue paper.
1t was an hour after midnight when
he left the hotel and made his way
along the bund to where a flight OF
stone steps led down to the river
Here were several sampans moored to
the landing. and the coolies immedi
ately fell to fighting for his patronage
He settled the matter by stepping into
one of the little boats. and. being
4 POuhNCA hpOn ny AIo OWhgi
he was soon padded out into the
stream, which glistened in the moon
light like molten silver.
"Kaoyang! Sabe?" he cried sharply
The cQolie nodded his head and
whirled the sampan about until II
headed up stream. For mile be pad
died steadily with his long sweep-likC
oar and then suddenly ran the boat IL
between high banks on the north shore
and grounded in the mud.
AS if guided by some invisible hand
he who could not recollect ever havinI
touched foot on this soil before sough
for and found a narrow path winding
upward to where a ruined templ
crouched among a group Of distorted
wind blown cedars The moon sen
long rays down and here and theri
pierced the secret places with an illu
minating touch 1t showed GarlanC
the outline Of a dark arched opening
I and he made for it fearlessly.
Just before he reached 1t he drew
from his pocket the little map he hat
studied earlier in the evening and turn
= ed the fash from his pocket light upol
+ it.
e Pocketing the map and swapping of
the light TO hold it in his left han'
n while his right hand closed arouni
2 small repeating revolver. Garlan'
!. plunged into the opening to find him
self I'm the crooked passage. which wa
lighted down its length by the moo
( which hung above its roofless walls.
}; On either side of the white ston
t walls there stood out sharply the Iittl
black daggers. which seemed to poin
'r his way. Glancing to the right an
left. he followed their guidance unit
one last circling curve Of the passag
brought him sharply ZIP against an
other arched opening which gave fort
a damp. earthly smell. On the ston
= post of the door was painted anothe
black dagger pointing downward. Gar
: land flashed on his lamp and saw
, wriggling flight Of broken stone step