Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1916-02-16
The White
Lantern
How the Mystery
Was Solved
By CLAR.SSA MACKlE
By CLAR.SSA MACKlE

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<><>>>>>&
Lanlieung Is as unclean as many
other Chinese cities. and John Latha N
left the squalor of rhe best TIM that
surely way down the crooked streets,
quite oblivious to the malodorous at
mosphere as well as the unfriendly
glances that met him In his walk
Latham was agent for large firm Of
tea importers. and this was to be his
last trip to China. Hereafter he would
be stationed In the New York office Of
the company. and he was glad Of the
change.
This evening as he strolled the streets
looking for one that led down to the
rivers edge. where there might be a
Whit of fresh air to ill his lungs. he
scarcely noticed the crowds that grad
ually filed the streets Then the
sound of drums and the Shrek Of Chi.
nese fiddles announced that some festi-
val was In progress
Lighted paper lanterns appeared ev-
erywhere. and Latham was jostled to
and fro in the crowd
As be went he became aware Of .
curious fact
In the narrow street there appeared
among the gayiy tinted lanterns one
Of pure white paper. 1t was swinging
ut the top OF slender bamboo pole.
and the man who carried It YVES
masked
As soon as the white lantern appear.
ed babel OF staccato yells arose. from
the crowd. and they broke away to let
the white lantern have free passage
Then silence fell upon the street and
the masked man had the right OF way
until be turned the corner and disap-
peared
Latham asked himself the question:
What about the white ianternr'
and the spirit Of adventure which was
ever with him answered. Follow IT.
So he FASTENED to the corner ns best
be might. turned It and in the far dis
lance saw the white lantern making q
path for itself through this less crowd
ed thoroughfare.
He kept hundred feet behind the
pale bobbing transparency until 1t left
the windings Of the city streets and
turned into a path that led into the
country
AZ he passed through the city gate
Latham felt hand on his arm The
gatekeeper-a fat friendly looking
Chinese-pointed after the white Ian
tern bobbing steadily away.
The American lord must not fol.
low the white lantern" he said in the
dialect Of the province
Latham understood his words and
paused
why noty' he asked curiousiy.
1t Is not well to follow the white
lantern persisted the other guarded
~. 1T leads to DEATH
why can't you tell me where It IL
going and all about lit" Latham Jug.
gied dollar in his hand.
The gatekeeper's eyes looked covet-
| ously at the money. but he shook bis
| head
Il cannot speak the name or It will
come upon me and my family for three
generations be muttered but |
have warned you"
Il shall follow It" said Latham OBJ
stinately. And here's something for
your warning. man of impeccable con.
science" and he dropped the money
into the eager palm
The white lantern was disappearing
down the farther slope of a little hill
and he had to run to keep 1t In sight
The masked man was evidently in q
hurry now. for he was Fastening ur
and down the little hills. lodging
around farm buildings. following the
meandering path along the rivers
edge and finally vanishing in the gloon
OF pine grove
Latham ran breathlessIy among the
pines until the moOnlike face OF the
white lantern appeared close at hand
Now it stopped. as IL its bearer was
aware Of pursuit and was waiting fol
the pursuer
Latham painted TO a standstill be
fore the masked figure
The white lantern was lowered un
til 1t became a barrier between the
two men
Stand backr- said the lantern bear
er III English.
Latham. startled by the unexpected
order. obeyed.
The glow of the white lantern shons
en- the implacable black mask with it,
holes. through which sparkled glitter
Ing eyes.
Stand backr" repeated the lantern
bearer
"Why?~ retorted Latham
because to follow me IL to 60 TO Z
horrible DEATH"
Il would chance It." said Latham
recklessly. for be had witnessed many
strange happenings In China. and hil
l ID - A. a.