San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-10-30
The Yellow Seven
THE DAUGHTER OF Cl4ALHLlNC
Copyright 1929 ,NEA Service By EDMUND SMELL
By EDMUND SMELL

, the weapon with which he sileneed
the sentry at the door was the knife
in the glossy black sheath that he had
first seen in the joss-house in the fair
hand of Suey-Koo.
To Brabazon--confiden that the
commissioner had driven the redoubtL
able Chai-Hung into the jungle-there
was something delightfully."- intimate
in this invitation to drink team true
Chinese fashion. sitting on severe.
high-backed chairs before black-wood
table. Suey-Koo drew him gently to
an inner room. Suddenly, a scream
of terror from the girl at his side.
caused him to glance sharply round.
He stared in amazement into the evil
eyes of the great Chai7Hung. His
hands were folded over an enormous
paunch, the corners of his mouth
turned ominously down, and he nodded
his head like one of those Chinese
figures Brabazon had seen in tea
shops.
1--WE meet again, Mr.. Brabazon," he
said smoothly, 'and. l can assure
you. it is for the last time! J"
Instinctively. but without hope, Bra
bazOn's hand shot to his pocket. He
had not thought to come around to
meet Suey-Koo.
"Your daughter was just showing
me round" he replied, forcing a smile.
1t occurred to him second later that
it was rather an unusual hour of the
night to call anywhere. and that. in
any case, he had no right to be on
terms of acquaintance with the daugh-
ter of n wealthy Chinaman.
"Ah." commented the other. "She
has not shown you everything. be-
cause she does not know everything
that there is to show. We are some
what different in our treatment OF
women, Mr.. Brabazon. We keep them,
in many respects, uniformed. We do
not allow them the freedom that West
ern races do, we do not permit them
TO meet casual strangers. During my
enforced absence. discipline has re-
Taxed. l came back. as quickly as
possible, to remedy this. L find 1t is
beyond my powers. l see,that 1t is
too late!"
Brabson placed his hands on his
hips and jerked out his chin.
"Im afraid / don't quite follow
YOU, Mr.. Chai-Hung." he said.
The girl had fallen to her knees,
her head buried in her arms.
After / leave you here-together,
he continued in the same measured
tones, tempered with certain de-
gree of harshness. you will have a
time in which to re-
fleet" He backed suddenly toward
the open door.
He remained for a second, framed
in the doorway. Tic door closed with
a peculiar, metallic sound that sug-
gested that it would not easily be
opened again. and Brabazon. mute
with establishment, saw that there
were no windows!
A faint moan from the direction of
the floor caused him TO stoop and
lift the tf,mbling girl to her feet.
She smiled family up at him,
through her tears. p,
at is the end" she whispered.
Brabazon laughed aloud.
."The end What utter nonsense.
It'll have to be a damned strong
place to hnep me in!'
He made as if to try the door and
Suey-Koo screamed again. ..
Look at that idol' she implored
him-and Brabazon looked. -,
The. head of the effigy was lost in
n faint green vapor that was pour
ing from its open mouth and hideous.
sightless eyes. in gusty wpsaths as il
it were puffed out by hidden bel
lows.
The girl crept up to him, encircling
him with her slender arms.
at is better to die together-so,
than to live forever apart"
He pressed his lirs to her forehead.
then thrust her from him gently and
began examining the walls. like a
'aged beast seeking for faulty bar.
He came back 10 her presently and
together they leant against the wall
BY the door. watching in silence as
the vault above them became filled
with a poisonous cloud of smoke.
"T'here is Just one chance. little
he murmured after long
silence. trying to BUOY her hopes
with something he himself dared not
believe.
She shook h'r head emphatieallv.
"Therc is nouc." she declared. "My |
father is all-rowerful here"
"There is just one" he persisted.
There is he who Ses in the dark