South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-05-09
THE VENGEANCE OF CHANG Ii

him tumble over a pair OF white shoes that
stood In the middle OF her bedroom, out ne did
not know what had thrown him until he re-
gained his equilibrium.
In the doorway they came face to face.
Where can she be-what has happened"
the distracted man cried. For Gods saks.
man, don't stand there. Help me to find
her"
Bridges grasped him he would have
raced past
It's no use going about in this way" he said.
Pull Yourself together, and let's think what's
10 be done"
Carruthers made an effort.
cant he said helplessly. cant think
what 70 Go. / ought never TO have brought
her here-great. hulking. selfish brute that /
was. Her parents didn't want her TO come
/ don't know what they'll say if-anything-
but ! deserve the worst Fetch the women.
Bridges-theyll be sure to know something
about ner"
Bridges went He was almost as disturbed
as his friend. but he able TO ask few
rational questions, though these failed to get
any result
'Missee, she had walkee in garden thisee
morning-missee had not come back"
You ought TO have looked for her" stormed
Carruthers
But he could get nothing more out of them
These native servants had little interest in
their employers their small duties and their
pay all that concerned them If "Missee
Carruthers' had disappeared, it was not their
business
When the two women had gone, he
moned the men.
"Missee. she VENT one of them began.
and hesitated. Carruhers foot touched him
sharply.
The man stepped backward, mis- eyes down
cast.
Me not know where missee went" His face
inscrutable there was almost a smile on
his thin lips
The Others followed his example; whether
they knew anything not he could get moth
ing further from them.
ME solly!" That was all they could, or
would say. Then silent. softfooted. hands
folded meekly. that inscrutable smile on the
closed lips, they melted away
Bridges walked TO the window
Did YOU notice that fellows face when you
kicked him." he asked abruptly.
Carruthers stared at him.
Whats that to do with the matter?' he
growled
It's lott" Bridges gave an almost imper
ceptibe shudder. II strikes me that we've
done a little too much of this kicking and
cursing business. People reckon that it's the
only way to make EN- understand that they've
got to obey. but whether that is not. they
resent it, There was something in that chaps
sme-Pve never noticed the expression of the
Founders before, and-you've often kicked and
beaten Chang, you know
And you think-but it's absurd! Chang has
served me for years.
Il shouldn't be surprised If he's got one in
for you, all the same" Bridges interrupted.
But while we're talking here we're wasting
time" Carruthers cut in sharply.
Yet after more than an hours search they
were a discovery.
Carruthers, running hither and thither was
like a demented Bridges a little more
collected. yet felt himself growing cold when
ever he contemplated the probable fate of his
friends wife.
1t he who found the first trace of her
a scrap of white. lowered muslin. that hung on
bush some little way in the forest. Leaving
II where il was so that there should be no mis-
taking the spot. he fastened in search of his
friend. few minutes later the two men were
riding together into the dense growth that. as
soon as they had penetrated few yards, shut
them into a semtWiight.
For some distance the dried bed of a rivulet
formed a fairly wide roadway and though, after
that first bit OF muslin, there was no clue TO
guide them. both men knew that this must be
the way Azul had gone.