The Kenna record. (Kenna, Roosevelt County, N.M.) 190?-1924, 1913-02-21

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 az occupants
glided to halt before the door OF the
Mission over which Miss Clement ably
and successfully presided. The pale,
vari-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 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 fire-escapes. To Evelyn, rarely
observant, the combination was inter
esting, but disappointing.
1T does not look at all as expect
ed 1t would" she said to me. ut hasn't
the air. 1t Is neither one thing nor the
other. 1t is like a stage scene, care
iessly mounted
AS we alighted at the Mission door,
the last notes Of familiar hymn,
mangled in words and melody almost
beyond recognition, flowed out to join
the babel of street sounds; and before
We could mount the high steps there
had begun to pour forth motley.
malodorous freshet of felt-shod soles
that gave us pause; blocking, for
few 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
well-ventilated and brightly-lighted of.
flee or parlor, jutting off at the rear.
II she was surprised at seeing Eve.
Ign, she gave no sign She welcomed
us both with the smiling cordially 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.
l hoped to save you this journey for
nothing"
Your protege couldn't conner" l
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
Ign, with cheeks suddenly pale and
eyes wide, held her underiip 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 q quieting hand softly
over Evelyn's tensed clutch, Yes.
That sort Of thing is not unusual down
here, you know. There is always more
or less bad blood between the tongs.
But 1t was most unfortunate, just at
this 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 COM
ment fancy 1t was out OF considera-
ton for Evelyn that she refrained
from endorsing my conclusion; while
l reproached myself for being less
thoughtful. l was all the more con-
vinced that had voiced the motive
for the shooting.
AS Evelyn did not ask for particu-
lars, profited by the lesson thus
taught and curbed my curiosity. But
l was in no mood to drop the subject.
From Miss Clements note 1t 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 so, Miss Clement" | ventured,
sharpening my wedge, Chinatown is
mystihed. | understand"
She was seated, now, by her little
desk, and for moment had been turn
ing up. searchingly, one paper after