Evening star., 1936-06-14

ONN NAi( belohi WIN BlCNil
and dropped them in. Tsen Wha filled
up the hole and spread bamboo leaves
over it.
He stood up Now he said breath
lessly.
He gave her the kettle and basin
to carry and strode ahead into the
dark tunnel. She shuffled after him,
head down, shoulders dropping They
crossed an empty courtyard, they
passed lighted windows. Tsen Wha
never looked back. He was not near
her now She had reached the outer
courts. Tsen Wha was not in sight.
A soldier hurrying to his evening meal
jostled her and warm water stopped
on his feet. He fetched her blow on
the ear that brought tears, and cursed
her for clumsy, halfwitted kitchen
boy. She stood sniveling and wiping
her eyes and nose on the dirty sleeve
Of the soldier coat
Where was Tsen Wha? Hadn't she
given him time enough? She had come
to the last courtyard by the gate. The
gateway was aflare with harsh white
light. The court was full of soldiers
and full of confusion They were
changing the guard. Tsen Wha -
where was Tsen Wha? Had the Tai
tai failed them?
Hey, boy. here with the hot water.'
A soldier called across the court, and
Chin-yen felt her heart turn over.
She hesitated an instant, and a loud
angry voice stormed from a doorway
behind her. IT'S my hot water! This
way. boy! Son of a tortoise, didn't
send you for it an hour ago?" Tsen
Wha's grip closed upon her collar and
he jerked her inside and stood painting,
his back against the door That and
that and that for slow-fo apew
he shouted, striking his thigh with the
flat OF his hand resoundingly. "Cryw
he whispered, and Chin-yen whim-
pered shrilly.
Il have the pass and the money"
he continued in whisper, pouring
water and clinking the basin as he
talked. Get your breath. Are your
shoes tied on tight? Don't hurry until
| yell, and then run like forty devils
and keep on running. Ready"
Chin-yen nodded. He opened the
door for her and she slipped through
sidewise. She edged toward the blaz-
ing light of the gateway. If she should
trip at the doorsilll Beyond, the street
lay dark and deserted.
Hey! Hey. thiefr great below
ing arose behind her Chin-yen ducked
her little bullet head and shot through
the gateway, clearing the high sill and
dodging the half-hearted clutch of a
guard. Hey, that brat of boys got
two dollars of mine. Picked my pocket
while was washing" Tsen Wha came
roaring after her, his tunic unbut-
toned, his belt tapping his wet arms
failing. There was raucous shout of
laughter from the guard.
That was Chin-yen's last "Shfn-M"
They had run the rapids of the
upper river on narrow bamboo raft;
they had sat five days on a swift salt
boat; they had fought for deck-spa
on fast steamer; they were safe out
of the province. One more stage, the
last stage to the capital of New China.
where their Generals name was only
the name of bandit.
1t was two o'clock in the morning
They were on a mooring hulk waiting
for their ship. Sometime tonight"
was as near as anyone could tell them
as to when it would appear. Tsen Wha
and Chin-yen had found secluded
corner barricaded with cotton bales and
reeking of salt fish, and they were
very content.
Only few days more and | can
wash my face" Chin-yen sighed.
"Tsen Wha, saw myself in the office
window on the wharf today! How