The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1912-10-25

he win prove the very person who can
arrange It ALL"
Let me 60 with you" she urged,
laying a beseeching hand on my arm.
DO let me go with you, Philip. am
so anxious. 1t will seem years II
have to wait here for you to bring me
the news; and there are sure to be
some things you will forget to ask
about, II I'm not there to prompt YOU"
In spite Of the unhattery Of her
speech smiled, indulgent. Her great
olue eyes, pathetically pleading az her
words, were able advocates. It was
hard to deny her under any circum-
stances, and now, as / thought It over,
| saw no reason why in this instance
she should not have her desire.
Yes" agreed. you shall go. But
remember, you must be very careful,
for the present at least, not to let slip
the slightest inkling that we suspect
our Cameron is not the real Cameron
We are seeking information. you know,
Evelyn, not squandering it."
Pell street wore Its night gaudery
when the Cameron electric brougham
with Evelyn and myself as occupants
sllded to a halt before the door of the
Mission over which Miss Clement ably
and successfully presided. The pale,
yari-tinted light of lanterns from the
balcony OF a restaurant across the
way, mingling with the pickering vel,
low beam OF the city's gas lamps,
threw into sharp relief the curious
pendent black signs with their red
cloth borders and gilded Chinese let
tering, hanging before shop doors. 1t
revealed, too, oddly contrasting figures
OF loungers and pede trians, residents
and visitors. And 1t barred, back OF all
that was bizarre, the commonplace
brick fronts OF the typically American
buildings, with their marring gridiron-
ing Of fire-escapes. To Evelyn, rarely
1bservant. the combination was inter-
asting, but disappointing.
ut does not look at all as l expect
d 1t would" she said to me. ut hasn't
The air 1t Is neither one thing nor the
other 1t is like stage scene. care
essly mounted"
AS We alighted at the Mission door,
he last notes of familiar hymn,
mangled In words and melody almost
beyond recognition, flowed out to join
he babel of street sounds; and before
We could mount the high steps there
ad begun to pour forth motley,
malodorOus freshet Of felt-shod soles.
that gave us pause; blocking, for a
lew minutes, not merely the ascent
but the sidewalk as well.
When, at length, the way was clear,
and by direction OF youth at the en-
trance, We had passed through the
close, ill-smelling hall, where the lights
had already been lowered, We came
upon Miss Clement, alone in a little
wcll-yentlated and rightly-lighted Of
flee or parlor, juttlng off at the rear.
II she was surprised at seeing Eve
lyn, she gave no sign. She welcomed
Us both with the smiling cordiality OF
a lifelong friend. But abruptly her
smile died.
Il tried 10 get you on the telephone
An hour ago" she, explained, gbut
there was some trouble with the Wire,
l hoped to save you this journey for
nothing"
Your protege couldn't Gomez" I
queried.
Unfortunately, no." she returned,
with little quaver in her voice. "My
protege Will never come again. He
was shot to death. Poor, poor Ling
Fol"
Shot to DEATH" | cried, while Eve
lyn, with cheeks suddenly pale and
eyes wide, held her underllp fast be-
tween her teeth, and gripped hard Oh
the arms OF the rocking chair in which
Miss Clement had placed her.
"Yes." And this strong, sweet
faced, gray-haired woman in gray, her
momentarlly-los composure quite re-
covered, laid quieting hand softly
over Evelyn's tensed clutch. Eyes.
That sort Of thing is not unusual down
here, you know. There is always more
Or less pad blood between the tongs.
But 1t was most unfortunate, just at
his time, because feel sure he could
have told you something worth learn
Ing. I'm glad he was good boy. He
was one OF the few converts that are
really sincere"
perhaps he knew too much" ]
suggested.
But Miss Clement made no CON-
ment. fancy 1t was out Of consldera-
lion for Evelyn that she refralned
from endorsing my conclusion; while
l reproached myself for being less
thoughtful, | was all the more con-
WINGED that | had voiced the motive
for the shooting.
As Evelyn did not ask for partlcu-
lars, l profited by the lesson thus
taught and curbed my curiosity. But
| was in no mood to drop the subject.
From Miss Clements note 1t was clear
that Ling Flo had already communi-
Gated to her some OF the more iTpor-
tant facts in this connection, and OF
these hoped to possess myself.
"And SO, Miss Clement" l ventured,
sharpening my wedge, Chinatown Is
mystihed, | understand"