The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1922-11-30
FACTS AND FANCIES
Continued from page y

myself, somewhat gingerly-together with
several pillows of vivid hue that are found
on various concessions with any outdoor
show. A hideous Buddha icon of imitation
jade rested on spindle-legged tabouret
with other curious knick-knacks. The
ghastly light from the Pickering wall
lamp threw weird effulgence over the
strange room. -.
"Toy" MCGEE was bent over the mys-
ferrous package-now opened-feverishly
engaged in some manipulation that I
could not determine. Muttering incoher-
entity, he presently spread small oriental
prayer-rug across the floor. caught the
meaningless phrases: Yen-Yen and Lai
yuen, from his garbled talk. Soon, tiny
lamp appeared in his hand-was lit and
set upon the rug.
Peanut oil-near gone-wont need
more" he mumbled
A long handsome, yet repulsive stem ap-
peared Of curious Chinese pattern fash
toned out of bamboo and artistically inlaid
with mother-of-pearl and a myriad of
brilliant settings the thing reminded me
of gruesome reptilian design had seen
on a Chinese wall scroll one time-at an
Oriental Bazaar.
Screwing low fiat circular bowl in the
long stem "Toy" laid it carefully upon the
rug. Out of the package came number
of other things; among them an oblong
can of bright gilt with many Chinese
hierogliphics written in black upon it.
From this can, with long needle-like in
strument, "Toy" deity kneaded and re-
moved heavy blackish-brown substance
which he placed upon playing-card-
celluloid quality of the card preventing
adherence.
This done, and small amount of the
substance retained on the yen-hok, "Toy"
draped himself across the rug with eager
ness. Laying the yen-hok down on a small
receptacle he took up the ornate pipe;
wiped the bowl with suey-boevNa wet
SPONGE then, taking the yen-hok contain
ing the tar-like mass he rolled it expertly
across the fiat bowl until it assumed the
round proportions of pill. Holding the
pill just near enough to the peanut-oil-
fame to cook without burning-manifested
by bubbling brownish hue-he alter
nately cooked and rolled it until done !;
then placing the pill in the small opening
of the bowl he withdrew the yenhok;; held
the bowl to the tiny fame, and placing
his lips over the odd pipe stem began to
ruf-placidly, peaceaby, contentedly. .
Through the pungent, yet oddly fragrant
evanescent. fumes of the poppy l studied
the face of my apparently unknown
friend. Cad I mentally exclaimed, to
what depths human frailty will lead |!
Here was a man I knew to be gifted and
talented; at least, capable and intelligent
with more than the average allotment of
initiative and acumen, which if applied in
the right direction might lead to fame.
What a splendid face he has! 1 thought.
Though somewhat sallow and shrunken the
indelible marks and aura of good breeding
stood out. The raven locks of wavy hair
now laid askew over the high intelligent
forehead; the aquiline features now in
tranquil repose; the eyes, whose liquid
quality with the gistening distended pupils
had disappeared, were now withered to
pin-points-yet dormant character could
be read in their slumbrous depths; the
lids had narrowed with dreamy absorp-
tion all these, with the faint yet distin-
guishable personality of the man bespoke
the evidence of better things. What might
have been!
One, two, three-four pills counted be-
fore wave of humiliation and shame
swept over me. What a congenital ass l