Evening star., 1926-06-13

ber metropolis. AS at Bangkok, I was
received along with my khaki shorts
and knapsack, into the British Amer
lean colony, and for So hours had
whirl.
THE second evening, having dined at
Mr.. KS home. | donned one of
his dinner coats, etc. and went with
party of his friends to dance AT Raffles
Hotel For me it was a very merry
party---until in the midst of it | saw
the captain of the Minerva seated at
side table
He was staring in amaZement, un-
able to believe that the destitute vaga-
bond, the stowaway whom he had
charitably protected and the man in
the dinner coat dancing with one Of
the prettiest women in Singapore
could he the same person. For fear
he would think me a fraud falsifying
my position, ! thought it best to show
him no recognition. All evening | met
his quiZZical glances with stony stares.
The ship sailed at , am. With not
a moment to spare. | hurried to my
hosts house and changed my clothes
for the old rough attire.
The captain, awake to superintend
climbed aboard with proper papers
from the consulate. He snorted with
mock indignation at seeing me on his
hands again. and greeted me with a
torrent of profanity.
oh. captain. captain" l exclaimed.
that's no way to welcome a legiti-
mate passenger Your Singapore agent
has just sold me a deck ticket on your
ship to HongkonG. and here's a letter
from the consul authorizing it and re-
questing your good will"
Deck passenger" he roared.
"Baaah. What's your game anyway?
One minute ! see on dressed like
dude Gallivantn around ballroom
floor. and the next minute you come
on my ship wearing those confounded
BOY Scout pants and asking for deck
passage
why. captain" l replied. looking
as abused Is possible, i've been eat
ing peanuts in the park all evening"
Hum. Are YOU quite sure you
didn't cat some Of the peanuts at
Raff1es Hotel?'
who. me?-at EafI1es? Swell
chance"
We'll. if YOU weren't there, then
I'm damned"
He was considerably more damned
during the FIVE days voyage 10 Hong.
kong the dear old captain was continu-
ally asking me questions in regard TO
my history and hout
avail. as was always very non-com-
INITIAL
lie was never quite sure / was the
person he had been at Raff1es. yet
neither was he sure that wasn't
Not until we parted company at our
destination did | confess to the dual
role.
You're disgrace to your family"
he said savagely, but there was a
twinkle in his sharp eyes. "If you'll
admit ii. I'll give you box of cigars"
| admitted it and then went ashore
vainly trying to subdue another one of
he gruff old shippers poisonous Ha.
vanas.
Five hundred dollars, That was
what awaited me from unexpected
sources on reaching the American EX-
press Company. where my mail had
been accommodating.
*
FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS. Now
at last could travel decently. buy
a new outfit and cross the Pacific in
comfort. The very thought Of 1.-THE
thought of putting all the strain and
destitution behind me and going home
in peace--made me purr with content
ment.
"Quitter,' The still. small voice at
the height of my rejoicing whispered
its contempt into my ears. 'tQuitter.
For II months you have been n vaga-
bond. and now just because you have
a little money you'd throw over your
original determination and spoil every
thing at this late hour for a private
bath and a derby. The royal road to
romance.-all right SO far--but If you
pave it with money this Hongkong
will be the end
l realized the voice was right, and.
appropriating s400 to spend on Canton
Jade and Macao gambling dens. re.
served only 800 for my future travels.
Sunday is always the great day at
Macao. All the business houses in
Hongkong are closed. allowing the
employees. with their weeks wages in
hand to take advantage Of excursion
rates and travel in crowds over to the
fan.tan houses.
Choosing a Sunday for my visit.
boarded the British steamer Sui An
which. following her unvarying daily
schedule, left her berth at Hongkong
carrying 70 Europeans and some 800
Chinese. 1t was the usual crowd many
of the voyagers being tourists going