Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-08-08
man Iioor. wnere ! stood with the
mal | had questioned.

G~A>S
came Z small Child in gaudy silksn
blouse and breeehes and small satin
Cap.
Behind him, shuffling from step to
step, came AL Old man. at whose ap-
pearance | gasped was sure l had
seen him before.
Hardly had tie partial recognition
filled my thought when the child cried
cut gaily.
Taking the last two steps at
bound, ne rushed upon me and threw
himself against me, clasping my thigh
with Two little, circling arms and smil-
ing up INTO my face.
Recollection became complete. On
the night before. when Mr.. McKabe,
Semi Dual. and the rest of us had
walked down this same street, and
later when Mr.. Giace and | had stroll
ed by while McKabe waited for
Greek Annie 10 appear, had seen
this same Old man and this same lit
tie child AS | passed.
More, the baby then, as now, had
run out and thrown himself against
me, holding, me fast; and had opened
my purse and given him "a piece OF
money, and | had spoken TO the old
man, who had seemed to be watching
the child
Now beyond any doubt the little
one seemed to recognize me, to judge
by the smile on his face.
At the time it seemed TO me that
acted purely on impulse in what |
did. At least | am certain that did
not plan any way to take advantage
vi the situation To further my own
cause, because ! did not dream that
il could.
But | have always loved children,
and the little midget, with his shining
brown eyes, was in way appealing
Baby" exclaimed. stopped, and
lifted him into my arms. why,
whose baby are your
He laughed and laid a hand on my
face, while the old man paused JUST
above the foot of the stairs and
watched with grin ON his toothless
mouth.
Him like you velly well, maybe"
he mumbled after a moment.
Whose baby is he?" | asked, little
expecting what was to follow
The old man smiled and, without
noticing a hasty gesture OF the little
man who had denied me, answered my
question.
Ooh. him baby b'long Kim Lee.
Kim Lee him papa"
II looks could have stricken him
dumb | am sure his tongue would
have ceased right then to wag.
The little man | had questioned at
first shot him glance which was
black with anger, and burst into a
rapid fire of speech.
The Old man listened for a minute,
drew himself up and waved him to
silence. He turned on me with a ques
ton.
What for you wan see Kim Lee,
maybe? What for you come this
house,"
Il have message for Kim Lee"
] told him, despite the frowns of the
man beside me.
The ancient nodded. He came down,
shuffled to my side, and took the baby
from my arms.
Il go look, see?" he suggested Il
tell Kim Lee maybe so one white lady
want see him. tell him white lady
what baby velly much like. You
wait"
He turned back to the stairs with
the child in his arms.
think the man beside me called to
him to stop, for half way up to the
turn OF landing the old nurse paused
and poured out few cultural phrases
in tone which left nothing to the
imagination.
Then he was gone, and l was left
standing there beside the crestfallen
little dandy, who had been exposed in
the deception he had tried.
l walked over to show case and
began looking at the articles it held.
After moment my companion took
himself away.
Still, though fate had been kind, I
was hardly prepared for what fol-
lowed. Standing there waiting, | was
surprised to hear soft, resilient step
come down the stairs.
! turned to confront the figure Of a
very striking man. He was tall, we'll
built, with excellent head and fes.
lures. His forehead was high and bin
nose distinctly bridged, and his lips
firm In repose. Beneath his heavy
brows his eyes were almost black and
piercing.
He was wearing q loose blouse
heavily embroidered In gold thread, a
pair Ut snow white trousers white
silk stockings, and white and gold
slippers, and over his head was drawn
q black SILK cap. crowned by scarlet
I button.
Az | turned he was coming directly
toward where I stood. Behind him