The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1913-02-28

anu you yourself shall stop here In the
| nah' where you can practically see and
near all that goes on"
mat she yielded promptly 10 my
aFsumeht' pretended, at least, to put
aside her fears, and returning me
smile for smile. confessed to a con.
stunning curiosity which she had mere
~ endeavored to disguise, was an cpl
sode as characteristic OF her as any
that can remember.
On entering the reception-room-
somewhat formally furnished, square
room, which jutted from the hall, on
the lett was mildly surprised to dis
cover that one OF my visitors was none
other than the Chinese merchant. Yup
sing. AT sight OF me he rose and
came step forward, the same tall.
spare, dignifed Asiatic | had met in
| the Mott street warehouse, save that
ne no longer wore the dress OF his
country. but dark. well-cut suit OF
American clothes.
Permit me, Mr.. Clyde" he said, in
| that chill leisurely tone 20 well re.
membered, to present to you the vice
| consul OF China at New York, Mr..
| Chen Mok." And then | saw that his
companion. much shorter man than
he and younger, had risen too. and
! was holding out a hand In tentative
! greeting.
My first impulse was TO ignore the
| proffer. for OF late had come to abhor
the race he represented. but on second
thought acceded to the most formal
OF hand-clasps.
I'VE are here" Yup Sing continued,
I because We believe we have secured
for you. Mr.. Clyde, the explanation
which you recently did me the honor
| to request OF me. And because we are
in hope that. through you. some agree
| ment may be reached which will put
| an end TO the present deplorable out
break amongst certain OF our people in
this city"
Vice Consul Chen bowed gravely,
| and l, in my turn gestured my visitors
to resume their seats SO far | had
not spoken, but mentally I had been
busy. Frankly. | distrusted Yup Sing,
and l questioned how much Of his ex-
PLANTATION. whatever ii might be.
could AFFORD to accept Fortunately,
however, | now had some basis for
Judgment. | felt that, so far as II
went. the letter from Miss Clement
could be relied upon absolutely II
the merchants story conceded. then 1t
would perhaps be safe to assume the
correctness Of added details. If 1t did
not coincide, was I'm possession of
valuable material for cross-examina-
ton.
Il am an advocate of the policy OF
reciprocity, Mr. Yup," | said at length
IF. in return for your service. can
render a service TO you, you have only
to command me-
! chose a chair between them and
the door. and sitting down assumed an
attitude of attention.
What | tell you" began the mer-
chant, his body erect, his shoulders
squared, his chin lifted, "Mr. Chen will
verify" And once more Mr.. Chen Ell.
dorsed his friends assertion by
grave forward sweep of his head.
When you came TO me, Mr. Clyde,
with the story of your friend Mr.. Cam
erons annoyance and subsequent abb
duction. was inclined TO the view
that you were. yourself. in some way
deceived. What have learned since.
corroborates that impression As you
say here in America. your friend. Mr.
Cameron, did not play fair with you"
Under ordinary circumstances
might possibly have permitted this as
sertion to go unchallenged am not
as rule trueulent more often than
not | find it advisable to ignore pre-
llminary inaccuracies OF narration, the
quicker to reach the vitals of the mar
rative. But on this night | was con-
trarily disposed. The inscrutable coun.
tenance and the superior. almost pat
ronizine manner OF the speaker chafed
and irritated me to the verge of en-
durance; and SO, without hesitation. |
interrupted him with contradiction.
IF all that you have learned il no
more reliable than this confederation"
declared. warmly I'VE might as we'll
end the interview here and now. or
Mr.. Cameron's fairness at all times
and under all circumstances there can
be no question. He is my friend. tried
and trusted. and incapable OF deceit
On that would stake everything
hold most dear; and we may as well
have it clearly understood at the out
set"
A white man would either have in
sisted or apologized. But the yellow
man has a way OF his own. Yup Sing
remained silent until had finished.
But whether or not he heard me was
neither by word nor sign.
Without change OF facial expression or
alteration of tone. he placidly proceed.
ed, choosing his phrases with INFINITE
care and rounding his periods with
faculty that for an Asiatic was little
short OF marvellous. Had ne been
any one else In the world should
have admired him. As II was. his ciev-
erness only added to my aversion.