Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-04-25

poiitlc course 10 pursue. The man
entered upon the subject OF the revolu-
ton and. being a Manchu, showed
plainly that his sympathies were not
with the new regime. Unworthy did
what he could to steer clear OF any
opinion whatever on Chinese affairs.
The man insisted on keeping up the
conversation long after Unworthy had
ceased TO make any response. though
he gave the Manchu his full attention.
Presently another native of the coun-
try came into the room and, seeing
Unworthy. saluted him by name, as
serting that he had seen him quite
often In Picking. The Manchu seemed
TO regard this newcomer with disfavor,
which Kinworthy accounted for on the
ground that the latter was Chinese.
But neither Chinaman seemed inclin-
ed 10 give way 10 the other in the mat
ter Of cultivating Kinworthy's ac-
quaintance. They discussed the revo-
luton in all its aspects, and since they
were on opposite sides their argu-
ments grew heated. The Chinaman
was in favor OF republic. while the
Manchu supported the empire.
Unworthy feared they would come
to blows, with the result OF attracting
attention TO himself. What he most
wished for was to travel as incon-
spicuously as possible. He therefore
conceived the idea OF proposing some
refreshment. Both men agreed with
alacrity, and Kinworthy ordered a
small bottle of wine that had been i'm
ported from France. \ waiter brought
it in on tray with three glasses.
Now, Unworthy had spent ten years
in China and never had anything to do
with a Chinaman without watching
his slightest movement. Unworthy
poured out the wine, and each man
was about to take up his glass when
the Manchu. hearing a noise outside,
ran to the window. Kinworthy turned
his glance in that direction, but kept
an eye on the Chinaman. A quick
movement of the wrist convinced the
| diplomat that the latter had firted
something into two OF the glasses. The
Manchu. not having discovered any
/ thing Of Importance outside, returned
I to the others. All three drank their
! wine, but Klnworthy held his in his
throat and presently, taking out his
! handkerchief to wipe his mouth, goa
rid of 1t in the linen.
The Manchu now produced a ciga-
rette case and absenturndedly put one
in his mouth, then, apologizing, offered
the case to the others. Unworthy
took one, but instead of lighting it laid
it on the table, saying that he never
smoked-a rather risky statement since
he had cigars in his pocket at the time.
The Chinaman and the Manchu both
pulled Justify.
From the moment the wine and ciga-
rettes were introduced a drowsiness
appeared to be creeping over hinwor-
thy's two self constituted friends. The
Manchu defended the monarchy, and
the Chinaman declared a republic was
the right form of government for China
as it was for America, picturing the
great progress in store for his country
that had been achieved by the wonder
full land lying in the far west But the
more the two talked the thicker grew
their tongues. Finally the Manchu
leaned back in his chair and snored-
The Chinaman endeavored to get to
window, but failed, sinking down on
the floor in a heap.
by love-" exclaimed Kinworthy.
They've poisoned each other, each in
tending to poison me! Likely each,
unknown to the other, tracked me here
to prevent my getting to Tientsin; but,
coliidlng, they destroyed themselves
instead Of me. l saw the Chinaman
drop something in my glass and the
glass Of the Manchu, and when the
Manchu forgot to offer his cigarettes
till after he had taken one himself
knew he, too, was up to mischief"
The three men had been left alone
In the room together. and Kinworthy'
raising the window, stepped outside
and taking circuitous route to the
station, concealed himself in "a wood
near by, where he waited for the train.
/ He had hut ten minutes to wait, but
ever afterWard declared that it was
the longest ten minutes of his life.
Then the train arrived and. leaving his
hiding place, he boarded It. AS it NOV
ed on he kept his eye on the inn where
he had left two dying men, and when
it was nearly lost TO view he saw evil
dences OF a cOmmotion
Then be drew one long breath Of
relief.
, No one except the two who had
neutrali2ed each other was on his
track and he had no more trouble in
reaching Tientsin. where he delivered
his chiefs message to the officer in
command
, When KinwOrthy got back from Ten
tsin and reported in person 70 the min
lister that gentleman looked at him
wOndcringly and said:
Il never expected TO see you again.
One Of our Chinese servants told me
that he knew OF your being followed
, by a Manchu. and another told Of a
Chlnaman who had gone on the same
Grand"
They met me and each other" said
Unworthy, and he told Of his advsn-
: ture.
> April 25 IN American
, History.