Farmers' champion. (Elgin, Okla.) 1912-1922, 1913-03-06

Whfch No n80 o80m10e0 mOr8 ClOSeiy
On several occasions since.
Its evidently Q representation Of
some sort Of sA:lisg vessel" he sx-
planned. with carved hull and
single broad SAIL And below II are
three letters: D. n. n"
Blindly clutchsd the back Of Q
chair with both hands, for q sense Of
unrsality oppressed ne, and the room
itself became wavsringiy unsubstan-
tial.
II was not true. Of course. this that
Bryan was saying. Nothing was true.
Nothing vas real 1t was all q night.
mare; and the two gloating yellow
masks we're horrible dream faces.
And you have probably noticed .
scar-a long liv:. scarf"
1t was Yup Sings voice I heard. He
was still questioning the nurse And
now Bryan woAId make another pre-
postsrous answer. Just a. persons al
ways do In dreams. knew he would
30 when be said: Yes, sir, Just be-
tween the left shoulder blade and the
spinal column. II looks as though II
were the mark Of q deep and vicious
knife slash" was not In the least sur
prissd.
Checkabeedy brought me bacs to .
realization Of tine and place. He
spoke my name In a half-whisper and
I awoke again to realities with start.
The officers are here. SIR" he In
formed me. mattsr-of.factly.
The oficersf" repeated. and then.
memory reasserting itself, added:
"Oh. yes, Of course. Ask them to wait
just q moment. Checkabeedy."
Into the mental marshalling Of facts
which ensued there came a vivid men,
ory Of that weird scene in the sick
chamber when Cameron had raved In
q strange tongue. mingled with words
OF pidgin-English and a few phrases
incriminating phrases. In the light OF
tonight's revelation-of vigorous YER
nacular. II what Bryan had said was
true-and for him to lie about a mat.
ter as readily demonstrable was hard
ly to be considersd-I must conclude
myself beaten at all points. From frst
to last. then. I had been defending a
creature unworthy Of defense.
II was difficult to accept this con.
clusion. Mind and heart alike were
arrayed against II. Yet, thinking
clearly now. l recognized fully the po-
sition in which ] had placed myself.
had been willing to swear. to wager,
| there was no tattoo mark, and the best
evidence-my own witness-had
proved me wrong. Certainly could
expect no mild Judgment from these
Asiatics. Honest a. had been. they
must believe that I had known. and
had meant to deceive them. They
probably thought that had signallsd
to Bryan to endorse me In my lies. and
that the nurse had either misunder'
stood or openly rebelled.
Before Checkabeedy had reached the
door. recalled him.
"On second thought" I said, the Of
ficers need not walt Tell them that
II was a mistake. l shall not require
them"
Turning to Yup Sing and hia com
panion. I added:
What Mr. Bryan has told you 10 the
greatest surprise to me. Even yet
can scarcely believe 1t. unleGs the
mark and the scar were obtained whil<
my friend was a prisoner In the hands
Of your countrymen."
Tattoo marks and scars show age
no less than faces" the merchant re
piled. Both OF these are years old
Any capable Judge Of such things will
tell you that Possibly Mr.. Bryan car
tell"
The scar is not a fresh one." said
the nurse. "As to tattoo marks. ! arr
not experienced; but shouldn't thinl
the mark on Mr. Cameron's arm wal
put there recently"
Gentlemen" said, making a flna
stand. while | do not question Mr.
Bryan's entire honesty in this matter
nevertheless | prefer to see. thes<
marks Of Identification, myself. II 20,
will excuse US for five minutes. I shall
not be longer"
At the foot OF the grand staircase
Evelyn Joined me. Bryan. at my sug
gestion. went to the elevator and az
cended that way, while she and slow
ly climbed the broad, velvet-carpete,
marble steps to the floor above.
Il thought you were never cominI
out OF that ROOM" she declared. nerv
ously. Once. was on the verge o
going after you. The first time yo,
rang for Checkabeedy. I mean.
What did you have him telephone for
He absolutely refused to tell ms
Was II the two policemen!
What did you want them for?
Why did you let them go away again
Aranf thnsa Chinau man a..a