The Washington herald., 1920-01-26
By Jeremy Lane.
Copyright, 1919. by the Century Co.

would never. grow old. A power
that was wire-nerved and psychic
radiated from his motionless form.
The essence Of sober cunning show
ed In his countenance: ages Of calm
lniquity had wrought in the lore of
his soul; his was q face impossible
to read. while well-tamed -scorn
iurked In his hands. He smoothly
retired to the pantry.
II was telling you about my little
friend, wasn't II" resumed Cecil,
livening to the task.
Yes" replied his guest. "you
were. going to show me her pic
"Pinkest little thing you ever
saw. asserted the pride Of the
Wedgers- Coffee won't be enough
for you when you sec" =
) Cecil left the table and hastened
Tor the photograph OF his newest
darling. Con heard him whistIing
as he went up through the deserted
Alone in the dinlne-room. Con
also arose from the table. The ten
sion about his eyes was more mark
ed. Half a smile drew at his mouth,
close-gathering Of faculties. He
went to the door of the buffers
pantry. and passed on through. 1,
In the low light beyond was
Chee Ming. taking care of the sill
yer. The lace was shadowed. show
ing neither surprise nor interest at
the approach of Lexington; yet one
bony hand moved along the shelf
toward the handle of the bread
knife. he-Chinese crouched a lit
tie. and all lines of age left his
figure. The two men came together
as swiftly and silently as strug-
Cling phantoms.
Chez Ming was built of live ten
dons. The bread-knifet came around
in the grip of yellow fingers, closer
over Levington's stomach. but could
not 60 on. Con pinioned his arms
and. with pang Of regret. bent him
backward with q force that might
have snapped . white mans spine.
but the Chinese would not be brok-
en-. Neither uttered a sound. An
instant they locked. Their feet
seemed fast to the floor. Then, un-
der necessity. the white young man
forgot to be tender-hearted, a quick
gasp of pain came from the Orien-
tai lips. and Chez Ming's weapon
ratified to the floor. The victim
sighed and crumpled In Levington's
arms. On the floor. he quivered.
while the victor plunged a hand
into the blouse and searched.
Against the skin Con touched a
tiny packet of leather, warm and
soft and precious. He snapped the
thong. withdrew it, stood erect. and
listened. Cecil was humming as he
returned. Lexington released the
yellow hands that weakly held one
ankle. lifted himself out at the pam
try window. and dropped into the
bushes below.
In the darkness he ran across the
lawn. where he had walked two
hours before. listening to the end
less half-feminine chatter of his
host He mounted a stone urn. The
high coping of the wall was within
Jumping from. this, as he
had noted in daylight. He sprane.
cfutched. and his wrists burned
against the bricks. Drawing him
self up. he dropped down on the
other side. and was in the street
1t depressed him for a moment to
think of the bitter misery he had
dealt Chez Ming. This was not hfs
idea of something noble. But he
had wanted the small leather sack,
L.
Hatless, out OF breath. he brush
ed the gravel from his knees, and
looked both ways. The suburb was
quiet, and this the continuance of a
city street that became a road be-
yond the town. A blush arc-light
at the corner showed no one. Con
turned to the left and walked rapid
iy. As he neared the next arc-lamp.
large black motor car crawled
out Of the shadows, and drew in at
the curb on his side OF the road.
The door opened-no light in the
car. Lexington stepped into it and
the door swung shut after him. The
leather packet was placed in the
hand of the person who sat beside
him. The car whirred away.
Have any trouble?" asked the
other.
NO. It was much as you had
said"
How did you slip your friend
Cecil?"
Con explained. adding. TT was a
shame to fool him."
II understand" replied the other
1T isn't his fault. Maybe YOU can
straighten it out with him some
day"
Il hurt that Chiney." said Levins-
ton. half to himself.
There were no congratulations
upon the small success These two
had expected to succeed. and were
not Surprised.
The other man was of middle age,
rather slight and small Under a
soft black hat his hair showed long
and gray. The lean-fibered strength
of his hands and neck might not
have been n>considered beautiful; but
to Con Lexington this man was
chief. and more-a comrade and
second father.
1t was Andrew March who had
found him running wild, one spring
night in lower Cincinnati. with a
gun speaking from each hand. The
riot call was in. Andrew March
had, by the grace of God. appeared
beheld. and understood. The elder
man had recognized the equinoctial
madness of one whose head was
filled with beauty. the heart pas
sionate for life and more of it, the
feet rebelling against the ugliness
OF pavemepts. March had hurried
him away. and later at his leisure
soaked some of the deviltry out of
the young frame, steaming him
clean and reasonable. He had need
ed to be patient with Lexington
while the rioter found a new SEN
.sation called health.
Presently the car turned in be-
meath vine-covered archway, and
stopped at the door of great
house. "A lantern that was mellow
and friendly hung at the step.
There was a terraced garden ridg-
ing gently down to a pond, far back
from the road. These terraces with
lanes OF roses and columbine were
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