Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1923-03-14
L1% The Century c.
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was being used. Nor did Con feel
guilty in the deception, for he was
stepping into a work that claimed all
his best energies.
The Chinese servant entered like q
living shadow bringing fresh coffee.
Cecil made his own cup into a gloria
Nv brinaming it with brandy. Loving
ton smiled and waved the bottle away.
This was not so easy as it appeared.
His nostrils twitched at the fragrance
from his hosts cup. Perhaps the
Chinese understood, for he nodded
gravely. Now Cecil. to show his
democratic spirit spoke to the servant,
very nearly as one man might address
another:
"Chee Ming, what do you think of
chap who turns deacon and won't
drink anything at the age of twenty
fiveY
The Chinese countenance unfolded
few more small wrinkles near the
nose, and light appeared in the mar
row eyes, as Chez Ming made reply,
Doubtless WISE"
Deacon is hardly the word" de-
clared the young man of twenty-five
"Deacons are a thirsty brotherhood"
Cecil considered this remarkable
humor He was glad he had asked
Lexington to come.
The servants face was the yellow
gray of summer dust, and when the
light of a moment vanished from his
ewes, they became smooth wet stones.
His body was spare, a kind of I'M
naturally prolonged youth in it; and
Cecil, to publish his own magnanimity
and good taste, had insisted that Chez
Ming continue to robe in native dress,
a loose blOusing smOck with white
sash and narrow straight trousers.
Chez Ming was secured and brushed
clean. He was not young, had never
been young, and possibly would never
grow old. A power that was wire
nerved and psychic radiated from his
motionless form. The essence of sober
cunning showed in his countenance;
ages Of calm iniquity had wrought in
the lore of his soul; his was a face
impossible to read, while a well-tamed
scorn lurked in his hands. He
smoothly retired to the pantry.
81 was telling you about my little
friend, wasn't II" resumed Cecil, liven-
ing to the task.
yes" replied his guest, "yOu were
going to show me her picture"
"Pinkest little thing you ever saw"
asserted the pride of the Wedgers.
Coffee won't be enough for you when
you see"
Cecil left the table and FASTENED for
the photograph of his newest darling.
Con heard him whistling as he went
up through the deserted mansion.
Alone in the dining-room, Con also
arose from the table. The tension
about his eyes was more marked.
Half a smile drew at his mouth a
close-gathering of faculties. He went
to the door of the buffers pantry, and
passed on through.
In the low light beyond was Chez
Ming, taking care of the silver. The
face was Swallowed, showing neither
surprise nor interest at the approach
of Lexington; yet one bony hand
moved along the shelf toward the
handle of the bread-knife. the
two men came together as swiftly as
struggling phantoms.
Chez Ming was built of live tendons.
The bread-knife came around In the
grip of yellow fingers closer over Lev
ingt0n's stomach, but could not go on.
Con pinioned his arms and, with IA
pangeof regret bent him backward
with a force that might have snapped
a white mans spine, but the Chinese
would not be broken. Neither uttered
a sound. An instant they locked.
Their feet seemed fast to the hoor'
Then, under necessity, the white young
man forgot to be tender-hearted,
quick gasp of pain came from the
Oriental lips and Chez Ming's weapon
ratified to the floor. The victim signed
and crumpled in Levington's arms.
On the floor he quivered, While the
victor plunged hand into the blouse
and searched. Against the skin con
touched a tiny packet of leather warm
and soft and precious. He snapped
the throng, withdrew it, stood erect
and listened Cecil was humming as ne
returned. Lexington released the vel
low hands that weakly held one ankle
lifted himself out at the pantry
window, and dropped into the bushes
below.
In the darkness he ran across the
lawn, where he had walked two hours
before, listening to the endless nan
feminine chatter of his host ne
mounted a stone urn. The hlgh cop
ing of the wall was within Jumping
distance from this, as he had noteu Il,
daylight. He sprang, clutched' anu
his wrists burned against the orlcks'
Drawing himself up, he dropped uown
on the other side, and was IN Tue
street.
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