Evening star., 1921-04-03

had to while away the hours with the
old stand-bys at the club. and it was
SO the next night after. In fact,
something had happened to the bum
gaiow. There was a feeling of emptf-
ness and vacancy about it that he had
Iairy ana godmother could have been
to blame?
II hope you are going to stay in
Shanghai at least until June. Miss
Molony," he remarked. as they walked
together in the consular garden few
here then. and you said you were so
fond of fowers.'t-
Yes. / am. and never dreamed
that they were SO beautiful here:
why. these ports are real gardeners
paradises I feel that I ceylds just
stay stay here forever'-tbe last words
slipped out SO very innocent1y. that
she couldn't realize at all what they
meant to her companion-"but alas.
we are going over to Japan Just two
weeks from today. for uncle and
auntie (she was travelling as their
Iavorite niece) are set upon being in
Kyoto before the close Of the cherry
dance. and that, I suppose. means
ever" Aoi
But although uncle and auntie did
actually get to the cherry dance. and
MISS Alice was there to enjoy it with
Shanghai forever. and the reason ~
therefor unfolds an interesting taIe
IN which her path and that of Green
leopard and wang Foo and the police
became most curiously interlaced.
,, an came about through the very
ancient shop Of Cheap Jim (as the
europeans all called him) by the Nan
KING bridge. Miss Molony was lust
stepping out of her jinrikisha AZ
the door Of Jim's establishment.w when
VINO ehouid arrive upon the scene at
the Identical moment but our good
friend DR.. ODonnell. on his way
back from the tifiin-room at the club.
All! Fascinated by the old Curios-
ity SHOP" he said. as. ordering his
coolie to put down the shafts. he has
tened to assist her in alighting.
Well: our visitors to Shanghai ali
fall victims to it,
Yes. although his whole shop does
look like what my old New England
grandmamma called a rats nest, he
certainly does have the most won
derful collection of them ALL" she
Now. don't wish to seem intruding
at all. Miss Molony." ventured the
doctor. but he is really such a fear
fui old Shylock in his prices to tour
lists that perhaps the presence of a
resident might bring him to reason
able terms May I not have the
pleasure and honor Of assisting you?"
The gallant offer was, of course, i'm
mediately and most graciously ac-
cepted by the fair visitor, and they
spent a delightful hour in wander
ing through the mazes of Jim's rats
nest together. While her purchases
were limited to a set of lacquer
bowls. a sandalwood fan and a tiny
bronze bell, the one thing that evi-
IDENTIFY charmed her more than all
else In the shop was wonderful
little model of a sampan (rowboat)
carved out Of spotless ivory.
Don't let him see you admire It,"
was the doctors warning. 'or the
price will Immediately rise! Just let
me approach him casually while you
are looking at those vases over there.
Jim" he said, addressing the native
proprietor. how muchee you want
chez for that little secondhand sam
PAM"
Me velly solly. but dat sampan no
can sellee. B'longee one piece my
f1iend hab putee dis side makee look
see." was the somewhat regretful re-
ply.
Nonsense. Jim. don't talkee that
stun to me. Suppose me wantchee
buy. you can talkee me ploper plice."
said the doctor, quite proud of his
fluent pidgin English.
Selly Solly. NO can, no can, was
the stoical and unchanging reply.
"All light, all light, suppose lady
makee go. me come back talkee you
by and by
That evening a little parcel was
handed to Miss Molony by her alma
(maid) at the hotel and, when she
opened it. there to her surprise and
delight was the ivory sampan from
Cheap Jim's and a card with the
words:
To the most patient of my
patients. with compliments OF
ROLAND O'DONNEI4L, DDS.
Shanghai
-.....--....... ..--.......'...-
So the magic power of the almighty
dollar had evidently triumphed again
over the refusal of Jim and his
"aiend."