The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-10

the college three days ago, and her
present whereabouts were unknown
Manning resolved that the young lady
should be traced.
He was about to ring up Kemp again
when another call on the phone divert
cd his attention. Margaret Bronson
WAS asking him to come out to their
lplace at Fern Brae. Long Island, and
spend the evening.
| Manning forthwith bundled up his
documents, locked bis desk and babe
manservant pack his grip An hour
later he was at Fern Brae, arriving
there In his car to find Willard Bron-
son. the bankers son, returning from
ride. while Sister Margaret was on
the porch to greet both.
The two young men shook hands
heartily, and Willard affected a deep
interest in the meeting between Man
ming and Margaret Manning, how
ever, took him by the shoulders and
pushed him aside, pretending to snatch
a kiss from Margaret by stealth.
Young Bronson laughed and ran up the
steps. Evidently Manning was on the
best of terms with his f1ancee's family.
| The afternoon and evening passed
rapidly-for the lovers, at any rate.
During dinner there was some serious
talk between the banker and his guest
as to the opposition to Senator John
sons anti-alien bill which had sprung
up in certain obscure circles In Wash
ington.
But they can't do a thing" an
nounced the elder Bronson confidently.
Il am backing johnson for all I'm
worth, and there isn't man of any
real standing in Wall street who will
not support us thoroughly. We are
convinced that the safety of the coun-
try is bound up in this measure Peo-
pie In the east do not begin to fathom
the depth and sincerity Of the western
feeling against oriental immigration
1t is just the same, too, In Australia
and western Canada. England has to
tackle this problem with even greater
care than ourselves, owing to her ALI.
ance with japan. I tell you, boy, it's
big thing"
'The death of All Singh relieved us
OF one difficulty" said Manning cheer
fully. He had got our consul In Hnr
koi thoroughly scared. $50 By the
way, Margaret, 1 forgot to tell you
that your friend Malta is none other
than All Singh's niece"
oh" cried the girl. genuinely dis
tressed, surely there is some mis-
take! Malta has most charming
nature. can hardly believe that she
could be mixed up with horrid per
son like All Singhr'
| Manning laughed heartily.
"She's only his Nicer he cried.
Perhaps she takes after her mother,
who must have been person Of taste,
since the daughter was so quick to
find excellence in my photograph"
1t was a moonlit night. The lovers
were leaning on the veranda rail and
sufficiently close together that speech
could be- conducted In whispers when
Willard Bronson came hastily out Of
the interior of the house.
Come at once, you two" he said.
Father has just yelled out that he
wants all Of US in the library"
Sensing some new evil, Manning
grasped Margaret's arm, as though to
protect her from hidden menace, and
the three hurried to Mr. Bronson's
/ sanctum. They found the old man
gazing alternately at an open window
and knife sticking In the chair In
which he had been seated.
Just look at thatv' he cried excit-
edly. Il was reading here quietly
when / felt thud against the back
OF my chair and on turning round dis
covered that knife with letter tied
| to itv
"A letter" gasped Manning in swift
dlsmay. He was horribly conscious
that somehow or other he had failed
In the performance of a national duty.
Yes said the banker. Here it Is"
The four people, grouped closely to-
gether, forgot for a few seconds that
they offered a tempting target to the
miscreant who had thrown the knife.
They read:
Withdraw your backing from the enc
mics OF the Asiatic races or face destruc-
tion- THE HIGHER ONE.
Good Godv' blurted out Manning.
"All Singh is alive and In New York;.
Margaret Bronson. suddenly dis.
traught, threw her arms about her IA.
Their as though to protect him. Her
brother, youngster Of quick decision
and utterly fearless, sprang through
the open window in order to search
the grounds.
He ran swiftly across the lawn.
plunged through hedge Of laurels and
reached the open roadway; hence he
was just In time to see slim, agile
figure jump into an automobile. which
instantly made of at great speed.
1t was impossible to discern tie num-
Der of the car. but he recognized the
beat of the engine and knew that he
was listening to we'll known ma
chine, which could hopelessly outpace
any of the three cars In the Fern Bras
garage.
Forthwith dismay and confusion re-
placed the placid charm of life In the
bankers house. Manning resolved to
return instantly to New York. Watch
ing his opportunity. he conflded (,
Willard Bronson the absolute necessif
of maintaining a strict guard on t,
house that night
Then he set out The fight betwes
Ali Singh end l,i~oself had begun i
deadly earnest. How would 1t end r