The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1912-09-27

Chinese business house. There was
no display of goods In the big win
dows, which were screened half way
up by light blue shades, giving the
front AN appearance similar to that
of the average American Wholesale
house.
Having passed inside, however.
there was no such illusion. All about
me were the Characteristic products
Of the Orient, from brilliant silken
embrolderies, and exquisite gold and
silver and bronze work, to cheap cot
ton and linen fabrics, lacquer furni-
ture, and straw slippers. And the at.
mosphere was further enhanced by
the half-dozen or more Cinnamon who
were lounging in the middle and far
distance, each with shaven crown and
Coiled queue and each In the more or
less brilliantly colored native dress.
One OF these, a comparatively dark
ly-attired young man with full, round
vlsage, came forward as l entered.
rs Mr.. Yup in?" asked.
He was inclined, saw, to hesita-
ton and 80 produced Mow's card.
ooh, yes" he said, after studying II
for a moment. "0h, yes. Mista' Yup!
He in" With which he left me, and
taking the card with him disappeared
behind some draperies at the back OF
the big crowded store.
Between the others, who regarded
me for a moment only with idle inter-
est, there was, while l stood there. a
rapid exchange Of observations in
their native tongue, mingled with a
sort Of hlgh-pitched cackling which l
assumed to be laughter.
l had turned my back towards
them, but presently a Bhufiiing Of feet
along the floor informed me Of the
approach of what imagined was my
returning emissary. On whirling about,
however, 1t was to face an elderly man
In purple silk garments and a black
skull cap---a man Of thin, almost ca
daverous yellow visage, whose upper
lip and chin were adorned with
sparse growth of silky blue-black hair,
and upon the bridge Of whose nose
rested a pair of gold-rimmed spec
tacles.
"You would see me, slr?" he asked,
and / noted that there was scarcely
the slightest indication of the foreign
err In either pronunciation or accent.
IF you are Mr.. Yup," smiled.
you can, fancy, from what Mr.. Now
tells me, give me the information l
am In search OF"
He did not smile in return, but his
thin face assumed an expression Of be-
nightly that was as much Of an invita-
ton to lay my problem before him as
were his words.
Anyway can serve friend of
Mr.. Now" he said, will be a pleas
ure."
But, as he spoke, the benign express
sion passed. Once again that thin SAT
fron-hued face, with it's hollow cheeks,
and small deepset eyes, had become
unfathomable
At least two Of his partners or
statesmen were within ear-shot, and |
turned significant glance towards
them, as I said:
"The subject is a confidential one,
Mr.. Yup. If could speak to you"
I'm private?" he finished. Certain
ly, sir. VIII you kindly step this
way?"
He led me to the rear Of his store,
holding aside a curtain Of heavy en-
broidery, through which passed into
smaller room, furnished In carved
teak wood and ornamented with mag
nlficent specimens of Chinese porce-
lain and pottery, A little Chinese girl,
not over eight years old, and wearing
a blouse and wide breaches of pale
cerulean silk, stood beside table.
Before her were several small sheets
of rice paper on which she was max
ing designs in water colorS.
Ignoring the child, he indicated a
chair near the only window. screened,
like the windows in front, with blue
shade. And when had sat down, he
drew up a chair for himself opposite
me.
His manner, in spite of the benign
ity Of a moment before. was not en-
couraging, and for little l was en-
barrassed as to Just where to begin.
At length, however. said:
81 fear, Mr.. Yup, that some Of your
countrymen have recently made ter
rible mistake"
"A mistaken" he echoed, gravely.
"A mistake that trust 1t Is not too
late to repair. Briefly they have kid
mapped a gentleman OF fortune and In
duence, one of my dearest friends, In
a manner most mysterious. after first
subjecting him to the annoyance Of a
series of anonymous letters and a sue
cesslon OF singular. nervetorturing
acts Of trespass."
Mr.. Yup glanced at Now Chee's
card, which he still held.
"Mr. Clyde" he said, with no more
emotion than he might have exhibited
had | told him wished him to sell for
me a Chinese bronze on commission,
mfr. Clyde, I do not see, exactly, why
you come to me-"
II came at Mr.. Mow's suggestion" I
explained. HE tells me you know the
Chinese of New York as no one else