The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-03-08
Euening Story
The Red Serpent.
BY KATE EDMONDS.

MS lace, scattered threads Oh silver IN
his dark hair and an anxious look in
his eye.
He took EstelIe.s small hands in his
big ones and Looked down into her
expectant face. Failed, DEAR" was
all he said.
.Failed?" the color drained out of
her cheeks. You poor old dear" she
added, patting his broad shoulder. I'VE
will begin over again. Just think how
young we are!"
Listen. dearest of girls" he sat
down and drew her to a seat beside
him; 81 had excellent chances out
there-senior clerk in the Detson
bank with fine chance of being sent
to the New York house. And 1 lost
the chance. This is the way it hap
pened. 1 took a. short vacation last
sumner--just a few miles up the
Huang-pu river-good fishing and did
my own cooking. Along came a rich
Chinese merchant with his train Of
servants; somehow he managed to
tumble into the river and would have.
been drowned, only 1 fished him out
His terrified servants scattered and by
the time they got back the old man
had been dried off by yours truly, but
he somehow took beastly cold
couldn't get rid of it. Had pneumonia,
and has been in hospital for months
with the result that Ill have to live
in the open air for several years and
what's the use? It's the end of the
world for mel" His stony face turned
away from her timid caresses-
and the man whose life you saved?
Did he know the result to you?" she
asked after while.
He nodded. Game to the hospital
to see me and made long speech or
thanks. Also recited poem he had
composed on my heroism." He smiled
wanly and the girl was alarmed at the
change in him. He put a hand in his
pocket and drew out package
wrapped in soft tissue paper. 1.-THE
old beggar gave me this as keepsake
1t is just a bauble; let me put it on
your wrist" He opened a lacquered
box and took from it a bracelet elabor-
ate1y carved from red coral. 1t was
in the form of a serpent, and the open
mouth and deadly forked tongue were
delicately carved with the fairy touch
of master carver. The clasp was OF
solid gold and there were Chinese
ideographs scratched upon it.
TT is quite wonderful, Donald. Did
he tell you the meaning of these char
acters?" The girls lovely face was
wistfully curious. She so wanted MIN
to talk-to act like his old self once
more. This stern, white-lipped man,
with the thin face and grazing hair,
was different from the stalwart young
lover who had sailed away so bravely
three years ago.
Lawrence shrugged his shoulders.
Something about seven years-and
gratitude skipped all the rest. 1
was pretty bitter about the future"
''You are not sorry you saved his
life, are you, Donald?"
"Of course not" he declared, and
she knew that he spoke the truth.
There was an echo Of the old confident
ring in his tone. But Estelle-we've
got to face the facts-I1l have to go
away into the mountains somewhere,
"a dry climate and work my way out
again. I may be an old man by the
time I earn enough to support us
both"
'HThen I shall go with you and we
will work together, "she said, and he
could not turn her from this purpose.
ct will arrange to do some work at
home, and can take care of you and
see that you do not take more cold
and you will need me-" tears were in
her eyes now.
So at last he gave in to her pleading
and they were married and went into
the Adirondacks together Lawrence
took charge of the palatia1 camp of
q millionaire and there were many
months of idleness when he bemoaned
their exile. "You should be nearer
often said. "You have buried your
self alive with met"
She smiled bravely. eff you were in
my place-wouldn't you count the bal
ance on your Side?'
He could not be gloomy after that
and she could see that he was getting
better. Another year might restore
him to full health. One day he came
upon her sewing on the doorstep in
the pale spring sunshine. "Why do
you always wear the red serpent?" he
asked, looking down at the bracelet.
She blushed. II am so foolish,
Donald. I have thought the old man
was grateful and that perhaps it is a
good luck charm-so 1 have worn it
often, but the clasp is out of order,
can you fix it?''
He took it and sat down beside her.
The gold clasp was loose and suddenly
came off in his fingers. He looked
stupidity at the exposed end of the
bracelet vas a hollow
coral tube and from it poured a little
stream of blazing diamonds, seven in
all. Further search revealed soft
paper with Chinese characters brushed
upon it: Lawrence slowly read the
hidden message: 1.-THE gods have
decreed that 1 am to live seven years
1onger-you have given me back these
precious seven years and L give to
you seven precious stones, one for
each year of the life you saved
Gratitude is a jewell muttered
Lawrence, "but steadfast faith and
love are jewels, tool am a very rich
man.
EStelIe Kissed the red serpent which
had entered their place of Punishment
and turned it into an Eden of new
found happiness.
You are sure that there is no mis-
take about it." asked Estel1e, still un-
believing that this good fortune could
be theirs.
I'VE will write to the old fellow
declared Donald, and he went in and
sat down at his desk. Months after
ward there came an answer from the |
Chinese merchant big box covered
with strange Chinese chara cters, and
this. when opened. displayed a beauti- |
full Chinese rug and rich embr deries.
For the bride across the sea-" was
the message 1t contained.
This is indeed for u.s." said happy
Este1le as she danced around the
and once more she kissed
the red serpent, which had brought
them health and wealth and a good
friend.
'But of course IL was really your |