New Britain herald., 1930-10-03
IHdpltT of
 AN AMAZING INVITATION

Dagger returned to the hotel that afternoon, brows puckered in specu- lation-and entered her rooms to receive another surprise. Flowers were everywhere. On a table lay an envelope of heavy Chinese paper, addressed to her in oblong letters that suggested at once Chang's per sonality and the ideographs of his native tongue.
 Dear Mrs. Vaneering," she read, T am taking the liberty of present. ing you with a few trifles to bring you in touch with China, If you will permit, will help you to explore it's recesses, which are accessible to few Westerners.
 Chang Kai- Sho."
 The following evening she was guest of honor at a dinner the Con- sul gave for her. The Consul met her in the hall and drew her into an anteroom.
 Look here" he began, Chang got wind of this affair-he knows everything that goes on, of course and put in an application for an invitation. He's inside now-wants 10 sit next to you. What shall I do''
 Are you serious?" she demand ed, suspecting the twinkle in his eyas.
 .'Never more so, but I can't help . chuckling over it all. He's really a big man, about the biggest in China, and he's acting like a sopho- more off on his first house. party. If it annoys you"
 x "Oh, mo-" denied Dagger. "I can take care of myself. Besides, l want some information he can give me-"
 The Consul regarded her with in- creased respect.
 -Bully for you," he said. "But if he bothers you, just holler. I'll come. Perhaps you aren't aware of it. but Chang has the Oriental atti- tude toward women"
 Mot toward me-" she answered. "Or if he has, he'll learn some thing"
 T bet he will"
 And the Consul took her arm, and led her into the reception-roc, where the other guests awaited them, Chang easily the center of in terest, his giant form towering over all. He was. Dagger was relieved to observe, discreet in his attention, and she marvelled at the innate boise and courtliness of this ex- bandit and son of a peasant. While he talked with her often, he did not ignore the woman on his other side, and also engaged in general conver- sation but she didn't fail to notice that whenever he turned to her, his voice dropped to a more intimate pitch.
 She early made an opportunity to introduce Towards name into the conversation. Chang replied readily but it seemed to Dagger that there was a shadow of reserve in his manner.
 "A friend I shall eyer prize" he said, "He helped me more than any man have known. He could have anything he wished Of me He is my brother. But" the broad shoulders lifted 'in the long run his owr people were dearer to him."
 ."'Why do you speak of him as il he were still with us?" she asked
 Chang's slant eyes studied her.
 And why do you not use the word that is in your mind?" ht countered.
 "What word ?"
 ,-" "'Dead'-the word you Western. CTS fear most"
 T cannot think of him as dead, answered Dagger.
 70" He drowned, his eyes fixed nov on the plate in front of him.
 Be not mistaken" he said pres ently. Death is not to be avoided it will come 10 me it will come tt you. And nothing We can do vii avert it's touch when it is ready 10 us. There are but three things il life of which We may be sure. Th' first is birth; the second is that tn strong man succeeds; the third i