The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1935-06-25
CHAPTER sc

Hester did not find her posi-.
ton In Shanghai unique. The
city was crowded with the wives
Of men off in the interior,
crowded too with idle men, men
no longer needed in the Green
Valley. Thousands of people
were gay, reckless, morose, as
they had been Of late in the in.
terror, the atmosphere charged
with excitement, fear, failure.
Little concerns were going
bankrupt; big ones curtailing.
With kaleidoscope rapidity, the
Company changed. The Trues-
daleS were transferred to the
Near East, and Kendall jumped
up into the general managers
place. Hester heard it from
Creighton.
"Why, Tom Creighton, how DO
you happen to be here? I
thought you were up-country."
would be, but just as I
started the steamer Cancelled its
sailing. Something's up" he
said.
He turned and walked with
her back toward the hotel. Hes.
ter looked at the gunboats Of
half the countries of the world,
ell alght on the river.
"Why don't they bring the
men IMP" she asked angrily.
"It's so dangerous"
TRADE never stops for dan
ger. You ought to know that
by this time," answered Creigh'
ton.
He asked then, changing the
subject, Heard the news?
Kendall has been made general
manager"
"And Mr.. Truesdale?"
transferred to the Near
East. Not so big job. Rumor
is he kind of failed them Of
late. A little panicky, they
said, about sending the men
into places he felt were dan"
gerouS."
Creighton left her at the
hotel entrance. Hester sank
down on the first chair in the
lobby, oblivious to all but the
tumult within her. For what
purpose had Kendall been made
manager?
A young British woman, lead
ing two children, came and
talked to her. That she did
not know Hester seemed to
make no difference. Strange
for a BritiSher.
More Fears
"Your husband in the in
terior?"
Hester nodded.
I'm worried about mine,"
said the woman. Hell hang
on to the last. It's his own
business. We were prosperous
. year ago, but now he's so in
debt to the banks, that even if
trade started again tomorrow,
it would take hi mall his life
to pay back what he owes"
A week later, as Hester came
through the door of the dining
room, Creighton met her again.
coffee sent me-" he said
&wkwardly. Then he blurted
out his message. The foreigners
had had to flee from Steve's
station. Most Of them were on
the British gunboat, one killed.
Stephen was missing.
Hester had but one idea, to
get to Kendall's office. AS she
entered, she saw a flicker Of
pain pass over Kendall's face
and forgetting all her antago'
niSm toward him, she remem.
bered only that he was Ste
phen'S friend.
"Oh, I'm so glad you're here"
she said. IF any one can find
Stephen, you can"
cts as important to me as
to you," he said. IF Steve's
sible."
"Were your"
II might have telegraphed him
yesterday to come in. left it
to him to decide. Steve knows
IS much about things as I
do. He should have left when
1t got dangerous. That's why he
was sent, because we thought
him capable of Judging"
Something mounted guard in
her mind, holding back the
thought Of Stephen dead. Low
ering and terrible. it crouched
behind the guard. In front,
her mind went buSily picking
up the tinieSt details around
her. The telephone was ring.
ing.
$50 you'll withdraw your men,
II I will?" she heard Kendall
say. "Well, I won't. Not until
I'm convinced there's no bust.
ness they can do"
He slammed down the re-
eeiver. Men came and went
with letters. Kendall signed
them, did more telephoning.
"Good." she heard Kendall
cay into the transmitter.
picked him up below the city,
We'll ! never! BY his white