The New York herald., 1922-06-25

every one were made ready, and
faces took on a zlIining happiness.
One evening after a visit with his
mother. han-King came to me,
laughing heartily. Mother reminds
me" he said. that for three days it
is customary for the maids. when
sweeping the floor, to pile the dust
carefully in a corner irstead of
throwing it out. lest the family good
fortune should be thrown out with
it. But she says of course il is only
an old superstition and If you like
you may tell the maid to remove the
sweepings as usual" 1 laughed, too.
Then said. Tell Mother we shall
do our part toward keeping good for
tune in the family" For three
days, also." continued Chan-King.
mo harsh or sco,ding word is to be
spoken by any one. And therefore,"
he went on sonorously. '.your tyran-
nical Chinese husband will cease to
lecture his American wife-who is
certain to need it, though" looked
into his eyes. bright with irrepres-
sible gayety. and suddenly I kissed
them shut. my own eyes misty. "Oh,
my dearest" 1 whispered "you are
just q little boy at home again, in
spite Of the silver threads" And 1
smoothed the black locks. already
sprinkled with gray. "Chan. love
the Chinese New Year!" 1 said.
III.
But 1t was over at last The time
for my husbands departure had
come.
With silent expertness, All Ching
set about packing. In three days
Chan-King was ready to go. He
was coaching me in the household
phrases / should need most in max
ing myself understood without his
help. Madame LANG decided that.
during my husbands absence. I
should assume my position as first
daughter-in-law. had no appre-
hension in regard to the minute. ex-
acting duties hat world devolye
upon me as right hand companion
to my husbands mother, Tor / loved
her. but l was not sure OF my tact
or my deftness. and 1 felt strung up
painfully at the thought OF my i'm
mediate future.
We went across to his mothers
apartment. and she came out, the
tears on her cheeks not stanched.
Joined by the rest of the family. we
accompanied him to the entrance
and then to the gate. which stood
open. almost blocked by the waiting
sedan chair. Chan-King was in
Chinese dress, and as he stood there
profile toward me-among the
group of servants. giving his final
directions. he seemed more oriental.
more absorbed into his country. than
l remembered ever to have seen him.
He made a profound bow to his
mother. with formal words of leave
taking. and gave me a grave little
nod. Then. without looking back, he
stepped into the chair. the curtains
were drawn. and the coolies trotted
OF down the steep path. followed a
little way bv the bounding black
dogs.
Mother and 1 stood together, after
the others had gone, and watched
his chair jostling down the narrow.
paved way. Then we turned and
looked at each other-rueful smiles
on our mouths. tears I'm our eyes.
We shook our heads at each other
half raised a hand to my heart.
then let IL fall. I think both of us
found our lack of mutual language
welcome excuse for silence.
Madame LANG turned toward the
house. The gates closed behind us.
/ gave her my arm in SUPPORT until
we reached the doorway; then I
stepped a pace behind her as she
entered. Without speaking / waited
until she had knelt at the altar, and
the incense was rising In clouds be-
fore the impertarbabie images under
their glass cases Then I attended
her TO her own apartment. Ny life
as real Chinese daughter-in-law
had begun.
Mother and I went to dinner to-
gether.. somewhat later than usual
We attacked our food very brayely.