Evening star., 1922-02-26

coffee. and knew just how every de-
tail would be worked
There was nothing to do. but to
await her coming.
Meantime he worked with Ii Huan,
and the book drew rapidly together
almost too rapidly, thought Ran
dolph. seeing that it would be COM
pleted in a short while now. After
all, there was only SO much that he
could put into it.
LII Huan helped him grandly. prov
ing to have pretty good acquaint-
ance himself with the evils that at
fiicted his people in the treaty ports.
Often they worked late into the
night. Lii Huan brewing over = spirit
lamp rich orange-blossom tea that
was sent to him by his family in
Shanghai. and serving little sweet
Chinese cakes that came to him by
parcel post.
And at last Randolph had word
that she was coming.
1t is done. Mr.. Randolph" said Ii
Huan, taking the final page from the
typewriter.
Randolph lay back in his chair and
chewed his cigar. looking at the sheaf
Of pages that Ii Huan was jostlinR
together into a solid mass. "Finis"
had been typed; the manuscript was
finished.
In good time, too. thought Ran
dolph. On the previous day Elsie
Shannon bod orrivod %oLa ,,~ -,
work. On the following afternoon he
was going to see her for the first
time. going to pay the first brief
visit. The following day was Satur-
day; things fitted in we'll: at last the
gods-or the devils-were working
on his side!
Wrap it up. Ii Huan." said Ran
dolph. Send it to the publisher We
agreed upon.'
flected. He was glad to have the
cursed thing done with. and Ii Huan
out of the way for a time. Already
his pulses were hammering at the
very thought of Elsie Shannon being
here in town. He forced himself into
a grim control. The sight of Lii Huan
wrapping up the completed manu-
script amused him; the little yellow
man was SO dreadfully serious, so
monumentally in earnest about it all!
Randolph chuckled suddenly and
leaned forward.
Tell you what I'll do, Lii Huan,"
he said, chuckling again as the other
blinked toward him through his large
spectacles. you've worked like a
dog on this book, and l don't need the
money-in fact, 1 don't think it'll
bring much, to be frank. I'll make
you present of it,
Lii Huan stared at him a long
moment, a puzzled frown creasing his
yellow face.
"a present." he said slowly. "How
do you mean, Mr.. Randolph"
"Why. anything it brings goes to
you." Randolph laughed, not striving
to hide his amusement over the whole
business. Send the publishers let
ter saying that I've given you the
manuscript, and all future corre-
spondence is to be handled by you"
"That-that is most generous Of
you, Mr. Randolph" Lii Huan gazed at
him, then slowly shook his head. But
have inquired how these things are
done, sir, and what you suggest would
hardly do. The manuscript bears your
name, you know; that is only just
and fair"
"oh. yes" assented Randolph That's
all right"
Then, sir, the publishers would
have to know from you that had the
right to handle the manuscript" said
the yellow man earnestly.
"All right" Randolph laughed.
type of a letter and I'll sign it,
THE typewriter began to bang once
more, hurriedly and frantically,
as though Ii Huan doubted that his
good fortune would linger. Randolph
chewed his cigar, his thoughts going
to Elsie Shannon. excitement fevering
him until he swore to himself and got
a grip on his senses.
Ii Huan handed him the typed sheet,
and he scrawled his signature across
1t.
SHALL get the tea and cake now.
sir?'
Randolph nodded. thinking he need.