Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1915-01-09

the name of woman just once!" she
cried out.
"Katev' said Gafford. "Kate!
Don't! | never knew how you felt; !
never dreamed. Here; give me the
stuff. I'll take it and III save that
girl with it. You're white-a white
woman, Kate-the real thing-white.
I'm going now, old girl; wish me
luck"
She seized his hand and wrung it.
"God go with you, boy" she said
with a sob. "There won't be a minute
of the time till hear but | shall be
thinking of you. Goodby, Gaffy, and
luck"
A dim shape slipped into the alley
back of the tea-house of Moon Faces.
1t skunk along in the shadows as
though seeking their protection. It's
bare feet made no sound as it shut
fed over the uneven passage. 1t
reached the end of the alley and
turned along the street which led to
the quay.
Some time after a sleepy sampan
coolie, lying outstretched on the sand
was surprised beyond measure to
open his eyes and discover what APP
peared to be another of his ilk bend
ing above him.
He started up, and his surprise
grew. The seeming coolie placed a
round piece of gold in his hand and
whispered. To the Weakened ones
sense of hearing it seemed that he
said "For Nippon"
Before he could collect his wits
further the figure had left him,
stalked to his sampan, showed it into
the water, and leaped aboard. Ere
q protest the figure in the boat had
seated itself and begun to row.
The coolies eyes came back to the
gers and scratched his head. 1.-TWO
gold pieces in one night? he ex-
claimed to himself and sat down on
the sand. "Ai! what night indeed!
All! My luck has changedw He lost
interest in all else and sat counting
his gold. The figure in the sampan
rowed on.
1t seemed in truth to be night OF
surprises. The officer of the Nan
tucket's deck in the first watch was
surprised to see what appeared to
be the head of a native appear above
the forward rail just after four bells
had gone. 1t was followed by the
arms, shoulders, and body of the
man, who came over and dropped to
the deck.
Mr.. Mathison, second officer,
deemed it about time to take hand.
He sped forward and reached the fig
ure, where it was just scrambling to
it's feet.
"Herep' he rasped sharply in good
United States. What in time are you
trying to do? Get off this boat!
Immediately he received his second
surprise. The coolie finished the pro-
cess of rising, surveyed him calmly,
and addressed him in perfectly good
English: 81 really can't do it, old
fellow. There's a considerable tide
running, and the sampan | came in
is by now somewhere between here
and the China Sea. You wouldn't
ask a man to swim a tide rip, now
would you? ?"
Mathison's jaw dropped and then
closed with a snap. "Who the devil
are YOU? 2" he demanded. What are
you coming aboard like this for?
What do you want z!
"To begin with" said the coolie,
al am as white as you are. l came
aboard by your stay chains because
the accommodation ladder wasn't
down, and want to see your sailing
master or captain right away"
eff that's all so, why didn't you
hail us?" Mathison was suspicious.
The coolie grinned. at requires
harsher spirit, Mr.. Officer, to throw a
man off after he has boarded than to
keep him from getting on" he adj
vised. "Still, we're wasting time,
rather. My mission is important, and
| would suggest that you notify your
superior OF my presence. Just tell
him how | got here and say that my
GRAND concerns Mr.. McRae."
Mathison started. "McRae 2" he
repeated in evident surprise. Here,
YOU come with me. Wen get you TO
light and see what you look like,
anyway"
He led the unexpected guest back
to the rear of the deck-house, opened
a door, and escorted him to the after
saloon, beckoned one of the watch to
stand guard outside the door, and
then turned and looked his compan-
ion up and down. He was young,
well-set-up fellow, whose face now
wore a puzzled frown% "You may be
white. You sure speak like white
man. What are you-secret service 2"
he asked.
"I'll explain to your captain" said
the coolie, and sank into chair.
Mathison frowned again, more
deeply, turned, and disappeared from
the room. He was back again in
few moments and signed the coolie
to follow. "Come into the captains
cabin" he directed, and led the way.
Continued next week.