The Caucasian., 1913-10-21


rich. told ny husband Of certain
jewel. a very valuable rnby.5called the
Flaming Heart. This ruby was Sc
creted in one Of the inches of rock
temple along the upper gorges of the
YangtZe river, and there was a bitter
rivalry between Lin Wah. our man
DARN. and Fuh Kienso who ruled
smother province. for the discovery
and possession of the jewel.
Lin Wah had the advantage over
has enemy because he alone possessed
tffe directions how to find the ruby. but
1t became necessary for Lin Wah to
go to the United States, where he had
relatives, and during his absence he
left trusted men to guard the rock
temple until he could return and com
plete his search for the Flaming Heart
But the mandarin was taken i'll and
died before the Catalpa reached Shang-
hal, and he gave the precious paper to
my husband and with his dying breath
willed him the Flaming Heart That
Is why Captain Pearce took vacation
the following year and went up the
YangtZe river.
when he reached the rock temple
he discovered by careful inquiry that
Lin ,Wah's guards had been killed at
their posts and that the rock temple
and its vicinity were swarming with
the men of Fuh Kienso, who were
making a frantic search for the gem.
They evidently suspected my husbands
interest IN the matter and one day
they stabbed him. and after searching
his clothing and finding nothing (for
he had taken the precaution to commit
the directions to memory they left
him for dead and ran awaYI abandon
ing for the time the search for the
ruby
Captain Pearce was an invalid for
four years. and before he died he learn
ed that the mandarin, Fuh Kienso. was
also dead and therefore the way to the
safe discovery of the Flaming Heart
must be open. If you will go with me
and discover the gem half of it will be
yours" finished Mrs. Pearce>6,
THAT part may be settled after
ward" said Clarkson gravely.Gl
A week later Archer Clarkson and
Mrs. Pearce were sailing up the Yang
tie river in one of the steamers that
ply the great stream as far up as Han
kow. There they hired boat and
boatmen. and. sfEays accompanied by
Clarkson's trusted Chinese boy" Van
Ping. they proceeded up the river.
At last they reached point where
they bade their ''trackers'' make camp
by the boat and Mrs. Pearson and
Clarkson went on with Van Ping. who
had been born in that province and
knew the country well.
Another days journey by a devious
path that sometimes skirted the river
or again wound around through the
pine clad hills and at last they emerged
on the top of a mighty rock that frown-
ed above the river Standing at the
edge of thAprecipice, Archer Clarkson
through the rocky gorge below.
Mrs Pearce uttered little cry of
alarm. the first symptom of weakness
she had indulged since they began the
Nsrney.
what dreadful place. she shud-
dered. Captain Pearce said the open
Ing to the rock temple was just below
the summit of the rock but how can
one reach it?"
I'VE must rig sling and lower our
col in Of thn 3fraY
Either Van Ping or | must go first"
Let Van Ping go-there might be
dangerv' she cried quickly. and tears
filed her eyes.
Clarkson felt queer throbbing In
the region Of his watch pocket A
great tenderness for the plucky little
woman filed his heart.
Van Ping. who had not fallen in
love with any one. had been studying
the situation from practical view
point. Now he approached his master
and. apologizing profusely for the In
trusion, begged to offer advice.
Fire aheadr' was Clarkson's sug-
gestion.
Van Ping declared that as little lad
he had played about this great rock.
and he remembered that there was a
legend concerning heart that was
buried in the rock But" said Van
Ping earnestly, ''the way to the hiding
place is from the top of the rock and
not by the entrance that overhangs
the gorge"
1.-The top of the rock?" Clarkson was
asking when from behind them there
cem me shrill cry Of triumph. and they
turned to see dozen rascally looking
Chinese approaching them through the
pine woods.
Ins an instant Clarkson realized the
great danger that faced them. 1t
would be an easy matter for the ban
dts to rush them and crowd them
over the edge of the precipice into the
river. where all traces of them would
be forever lost
He caught Nita Pearce by the hand.
and. calling to Van Ping to follow.
Clarkson pulled out his revolver and
ran to meet the Chinese. This unex-