Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-31


what interests were to be served;
what presidents were to be estab-
lished by Wan Lees inspired decision
| to renounce vengeance for cash. For
| the powerful merchants organiza
Etion, the six Companies. had given
their word to the city government to
rid the quarter of all communal strife,
| and, when the Six Companies spoke,
| there were many attentive listeners.
So, continued Shoe Shee, the Suey
Sings and the See Yups had met in
counsel, and. with On Wo Lows con.
| sent. had chosen his son for an empty
gesture toward satisfaction. For"
said the sagacious in both camps, I'VE
| shall have the widow OF Hung Cow to
justify us and thus save our reputa-
ton for vanance!" Fine specimens,
truly.
Wan Lees eyes narrowed with ma
levolence. And If / decide not, to
justify them?" she inquired.
! "In that case, they must put
through their program. Not even
the Six Companies can make the Suey
Sings the jest Of the market-place"
1--WE shall see, them exclaimed
Wan Lee.
And at that moment the vision Of
her son came to her---the vision OF her
son as they had carried him in on
that day when her bitterness had been
accomplished.
nAYS passed, and still Wan Lee dal
49, lied with her decision. Nay, not
the decision but It's confirmation. Did
pity or cruelty lie back of this mac
ton? Did she watch the graceful
figure of On Yick, swinging by her
latticed window, dovelike, or with the
eyes of a hawk? In either manner,
perhaps, according to her mood. But
to be truthful, it was mostly as a
hawk.
She grew to know every curve in
On Yick's supple body. the tilt Of his
head, the flexible slant to his snour-
ders. Her eyes devoured his slender
hands, strong in their tapering grace.
ivory CLEAN Of his teeth, when he
smiled. Once she sent lily blossom
hurting down upon him. so that she
might read his upward glance. He
mistakenly tossed an amorous look
toward her window, and she withdrew
quickly, shaken with sardonic laugh
ter.
How confidently he tramped the
streets, secure In the power Of his
fathers gold. The honor Of Hung
Cows house to be bought as easily
as wanton's virtue. And a foreign
government, and the Six Companies,
and her husbands tong itself hang
ing upon the decision Of one lonely
woman.
Did we say that pity at intervals
stirred within her? Only to die again,
leaving a cold serenity. Had not her
son walked in like confidence and
grace, unsuspecting? And had not his
fingers been as beautiful and the
bloom upon his cheek as. radiant?
And, when he smiled, had not his
teeth cleaned like ivory pavilions in
the twilight? And yet they had car
ried him into her. bled white Of every
charm. Aye. but she would have her
toll and more, for she would worry
them all in the bargain.
But, If there was worriment, there
was also great capacity for conceal
ment. Outwardly, the quarter re-
sumed its holiday gayety--proclaiming
that animosities and feuds and ven.
geances were to hang suspended until
the New Year had been accomplished.
Thus did the powers gild the ugly
possibilities behind Wan Lees indie
cision.
And chief among the revelers was
old On Wo Low, himself, attended by
his stalwart son, making the rounds
Of ceremonial calls. clad in the glory
Of yesterday with a red.silk button
topping his shining hat, passing and
repassing the screened windows of
Wan Lee. And, at the appointed sea.
son, the women Of On Wo Lows
household. his wife. in short, SUP.
ported on either side by her daughters.
ln-law, patterfng up and down with
the painful movement Of bound feet.
also intent on calls and ceremony.
Can it be that they have halted by
the greasy flight leading to the lodg.
lngs OF Wan Lee, widow Of the valiant
Hung Cow? In. truth, and not ONLY
hating, but mounting the stairs. pre-
ceded by a serving woman bearing
gifts.
No wonder that the heart of Wan
Lee futters midway between satisfac.
ton and misgiving.
she sits motionless, Just and ter.
rible Wan Lee, while the wife OF On
Wo Low prostrates herself in all h,,.
miiity before her. And presently the
gifts are spread upon the floor. az
gifts are spread before a princess
The three daughters Of Wan lee
stand upright against the wall. anjno
their mothers immobility. Here is .
poX or red lacquer. with carvings half
an inch deep, and a bolt Of azure sjIl
ana priceless tea, favored with Jas.
mine. 49,