The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1912-10-22

dark alley whereof Iong How the tea merchant hat
told me. Five times as he had hidden me, did
press upon the tiny ivory button the heavy dooi
swung back and let me enter No was to be
There only long passage with many real
and false doors and in the center dim TISSUE Ian
tern. Then, in one Of these doors the iron wicket
grated and heard voice asking for the sign Lean
fingers reached forth and seized the card then the
door. opened slowly and changed shut behind me.
The doorkeeper was an old man, Tartar, his face
bleached BY darkness and age bgt his eyes were
bright as those Of cat, his voice harsh lie held a
light in his cormorant claws. lie bowed low as he
called me by many honorable titles.
Il am come to have speech with Fing Tai said
l. where may Wing Tai be found.'
"Of the chamber Of Justice said he pointing
down a corridor ''in the room of the Yellow Drag
ons"
The great room was dim and demons and afrits
qlowered there about the throne and Judgment seats
Of the tong and ghous rusted in the banners.
Light came from the room Of tile Yellow Dragons,
and | heard the sound Of voices. unsheathed the
short sword and crept slowly toward the silken
tains and peered within the room There sat Wing
Tai at table Of teak, with FIVE Of his henchmen
about him: coolies and braves that carry and
pistol and do murder for the tong Some Of them
smoked opium, whose reek swan out to my nostrils.
Whose name was that heard upon their foul lips?
Surely they were speaking OF 10y Shan They were
speaking of her sale her worth in dollars OF the
land
Her price will go up said Wing Tai "it be-
hooves us to wait Never yet the thing desired lost
worth by the waiting"
WAN Kang, the fruit grower Of Colusa, would
give three thousand dollars for the girl said one OF
the Others.
"She is worth five answered Wing Tai.
"Beiek the son Of the Consul, said another, "Wah
Sing 0uong who has renounced the young fools
that call themselves New China, would give still
more.
Where is tile maid kept pent2" asked another
suddenly.
Wing Tai was silent, pulled at his pipe, then made
reply in crafty wise:
What matter, 81 she be safe' Hard pressed am
these days to find places Of hiding where the girls
may be safe from our enemies especially the ctfsed
white police None knows of her hiding place save
my mother who conducted her from China, and my
sister. -.4...s sy..ss,s..s
N But She is guarded safe enough said he, and
laughed There is hiding place more secure
or secret my frends--seret'
loneed 10 leap upon him with the naked steel
and hew that secret from his heart but cation
spoke within and ! forebore
Wing Tai then bespale his
I'VE must have more offers. Go now ard see to
it that you make high report Of her, spreading the
fame Of her beauty wide. Tell them il.st wo3ld &c
the fairest girl that was brought 10 ths last
TO attend on me
He muttered drowsiy; the demon OF the d-ag
seemed to work its will upon him.
heard a shutting of feet and pressed myself
closely against the dark wall behind the heavy hang
ings | saw them come forth-onc, two three four,
iye-and pass through The council hall into the
narrow corridor, But Wing Tai not forth
peered into the room and him seated at a
carved table under tile lantern in mist of opium
smoke. A leer was upon his lean lips, his eyes
were sunk inwards 50 that his face was like the
mask Of one dead
Stealthily | crept upon him, sword in hand. |
would force him 10 tell where he had hidden my
stolen bride La Shan lie did not stir, but sat
Il in dream, lis pipe to s lips. Then stretched
forth the sword and knocked the ivory pipe from
his mouth He stared up at me, but did not rise nor
show fear recognition
Dog" ! shouted at him. where have you hidden
tie woman you stole from the house Of her father
at Using Hins'
~What 5 that to you2" he answered without NOV
ing Would YOU bid for herr
1T is my bride you have stolcnl' cried. Tell
me where YOU have hidden her or | send this sword
into your throat.
"Brideeroonls are unwse and rash" said he with
his dev's smile and 10 slay me would only be the
death ii you and perhaps of yonr bride Yet YOU
NAV have tie mad again. for behold iii you most
impassioned faithful bridegroom. Price Of barter
or pricc Of ransom are alike TO me. What would
you offer for herr
He spoke calmly, and seemed scarcely to mark
my rage nor the naked steel which shook in my
hand
"IIow came you hther, my frendf9 said he HAS
our sentry betrayed as1'
at does not matter" cried, go long as am
here And no,y that have found you, YOU shall
not escape"