Farmers' champion. (Elgin, Okla.) 1912-1922, 1913-02-20

cav no reason Why In this instance |
she should not have her desire.
Yes" agreed. you ehall 80. But
remember. ycu must be very careful
for the present at least. not to let slip |
the sl,sh,ee, inkling that we suspect
our Cameroe 10 no, the real Cameron
We are seeking information. you know.
Evelyn, no, squandering IT,"
Psll stree, wore It's night gauoery
vbsn the Cameron electric brougham
with Evelyn and myself - occupants
sl,ded 70 q halt before the door OF the
Mission ever which Mise Clement ably
and successfully presided The pale.
vari.rntsd light Of lanterns from the
balcony Of q restaurant across the
way. mingling with the fickering yel-
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. II
revealed, too, oddly contrasting figures
Of loungers and pedestrians. 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 hreescapes To Evelyn, rarely
observant, the combination WAS inter
es,ins, but disappointing.
1T does no, look a, all az expect.
ed II would" she said to me. 1T hasn't
the air. II is neither one thing nor the
other. II is like q stage scene. care
lessly mounted
As we alighted at the Mission door,
the last notes Of familiar hymn.
mangled in words and melody almost
beyond recog1 ION. flowed out 20 join
the babel Of street sounds; and before
We could mount the hi1D steps there
had begun TO pour forth a motley.
malodorous freshet Of felt-shod soles,
that gave US pause; blocking. for
few minutes. not merely the ascent
but the sidewalk as we'll.
When, al length. the way WAS clear
and by direction Of youth at the en-.
trance, we had passed through the
close, ill-smelnng hall, where the lights
had already been lowered, we came
upon Miss Clement. alone in a little
well-ventila,ed and brightly-lighted Of
fee or parlor. tutting OF at the rear
II she was surprised al seeing Eve
Ign. she gave no sign. She welcomed
US both with tie smiling cordlality Of
lifelong friend But abruptly her
smile died
Il tried to get you on the telephone
an hour ago." she explained. but
there was some trouble with the wire
hoped to save you this journey for
nothing"
"Your protege couldn't GOMEZ" I
queried.
Unfortunately. no." she returned,
with a little Quaver In her voice. MY
protege will never come again. He
was sho. to death. Poor. poor Ling
Fol"
Shot to DEATH" cried, while Eve
lyn. with cheeks suddenly pale and
eyes wide. held her underlip fast be-
tween her teeth. and gripped hard on
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
momentarily-lost composure quite re-
covered. laid a quieting hand softly
over Evelyn's tensed clutch. Yes.
That sort OF thing 10 not unusual down
here. you know. There is always more
or less bad blood between the tongs.
But II was most unfortunate. just at
this time. because feel sure he could
have told you something worth learn.
ing. I'E 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 COM
ment fancy It was out OF considera-
ton for Evelyn that she refrained
from endorsing my conclusion; while
reproached myself for being less
thoughtful was all the more con.
vinced that ] had voiced the motive
for the shooting.
As Evelyn did not ask for particu.
lars. pronted by the lesson thus
taught and curbed my curiosity. But
was in no mood to drop the subject.
From Miss Clements note II was clear
that Ling Fo had already communi.
Gated to her some Of the more impor-
tant facts In this connection. and Of
these hoped TO possess myself.
And 90. Miss Clement" ventured,
sharpening my wedge, Chinatown 10
mystifed, ! understand"
She was seated. now. by her little
desk. and for a moment had been turn.
ing up. searchingly. one paper after
another. from an open drawer. At
my observation. she paused and raised