Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-10-26

fresh breeze from the river was very
grateful. At dawn we would resume
our Journey down the river. Now It
was 2 o'clock, as I learned by glancing
at my watch by the light Of my elec-
tric torch. I had gone to bed very
early, 80 felt sure was in for long
wakeful period some time in the night.
II lay there awhile staring at the
white square Of the window where the
moonlight shone. Suddenly across that
square came shadow. 1t paused and
then blotted out the light.
my hand slipped under my pillow
and frightened around the butt Of my
automatic pistol. l watched the win
dow curiously. for man was climbing
In, and / felt no fear because Of tho
weapon In my hand leveled the pis-
tol at the intruder, but was silent. l
suspected 1t was Sin Wei. the stranger.
II wondered what his errand was.
Was he trying to murder and rob me?
my question was soon answered.
From q filthy bundle which he had
strapped TO his shoulders and which
he had refused 10 be parted from he
brought out this bronze jar. which he
placed beneath my window. He stoop-
ed over It long time. pouring some
thing inside; the cover clinked and he
was gone.
Later l heard splash in the river,
and l suspected that my protege had
become fear stricken and was making
his escape. When daylight invaded the
room l made out the shape Of this
bronze jar. and noticed strip Of red
paper hanging from the cover. Curl
osity would be denied no longer, SO l
got up and examined the paper. On 1t
were scrawled some Chinese charac-
ters expressing the gratitude Of Sin
Wei for his deliverance. wishing me
q long life. good luck and much felic-
ity and saying that the river gods
called him.
81 lifted the cover Of the jar and
found 1t full Of tobacco Of an inferior
quality. I've never touched 1t, but
I've kept the jar for sentimental rea-
sons. Very likely Sin Wei stole 1t from
the mandarin dressed and went on
deck, but my coolies were gathered
forward jabbering eXcitedly. 1t seems
they had seen Sin Wei leap from the
boat In an insane frenzy Of fear, and
the river had carried him swiftly on
her broad yellow breast That's all. ex-
cept that there has been one disturb
ance after another In China, and l
haven't been there for several years.
South Africa has been my stamping
ground Of late years. Now, will you
accept the jar and its cOntentsT smil-
ed Durwent at his friend.
"I'll take the tobacco" said McNair.
going to the mantelpiece for the jar;
"the receptacle you can sell or keep. as
you like"
He took a piece of white paper and
emptied the contents Of the bronze jar.
Several lumpy objects rolled out OF
the pile Of tobacco.
whats this?' he asked curiously.
picking up one Of the Jumps. Some
thing wrapped in tissue paper Well,
mon, look at that, will yer
IAN emerald" Durwent stared, with
unbelieving eyes. as he took the bril-
liant green stone in his hand. do
you suppose It's real?'
AYE, mon; glass never looked like
thatp went on Angus in excitement as
he unwrapped lump after lump and
laid them before his bewildered friend.
"Rubies. diamonds and pearl. anoth'
er emerald and another, that's oil! All!
Enough to make you independently
rich for life!"
"What In thunder does 1t mean"
questioned Durwent
Mean. you idioti 1t means that
your protege, Sin Wei, must have loot
ed the old mandarin for fair! And
you, Richard. are an accessory AFTER
the fact. Deciding to end his misera-
BILE life. Sin Wei unloaded his loot
upon you, his benefactor, and surely
1t comes in opportunely, eh, mon"
"But they don't belong to me" OBJ
1ected Durwent. even while he knew
that he could never find the owner aft
er fifteen years Of revolution and riot
in China.
"You can satisfy your conscience BY
trying to find the mandarin. and IN
the meantime don't believe he would
care II you used one little emerald to
save your precious effects. Eh, monY
"I'll do it." said Durwent cheerfully.
He packed the tobacco back into the
Jar and locked the jewels away in his
safe.
"Then l don't get the tobaccoT ask
ed McNair rucfully.
"Not this tobacco, but I'll buy you
any quantity Of your favorite brand,
and II the owner of the stones does
not come to light you may have the
choice of the stones. Now | have q
pleasant GRAND to perform. thanks to
you and Sin Wei's gift"
And arm in arm the two friends
went out to notify the auction rooms
that the sale of Mr.. Durwent's belong
ings had been Cancelled.