Imperial Valley press., 1937-01-24

She respected him deeply, was even fond of
this man VINO had often sent her mother great
bolts of silk brocades from which the dresses
of which she was proud were made, but
marriage-to a man her fathers age-seemed
to her absurd. Ming Tai Bow feared Fong Yee
a little, too. He was the head of powerful
tong 1t was whispered that men died by his
order when the tongs clashed, and of late there
had been tenseness between the two strong
est societies.
1t so happened that at the moment Wong
entered to announce Ming Tai Bows presence,
Fong Yee was giving the final iourishes to an
ultimatum that if not conceded to by rival
society meant new outbHeak of tong hostili-
ties.
Now, dressed regally in flowing silks, Fong
Yee returned to his seat at the rosewood table,
He switched on perfume lamp at his elbow
The clock on the table told him Ming Tai Bow
had been waiting 20 minutes. The loss of Face
was terrible thing. This young wildcat was
losing hers now. 1t was good for women to lose
FACET made them better wives, submissive
and humble he mused
Another Is minutes passed. Fong Yee was
again pondering the white rice paper, which
he had taken from the table drawer, when a
volley of sharp knocks sounded on the heavy
door of his ROOM He heard an excited voice
Ming Tai Bows. What spirit Then, the per-
suasve voice of old Wong, and silence reigned
again. Fong Yee smiled.
"A ITIEN an hour had passed since the girls
Wv arrival, he decided he would receive her
Perhaps she would be in tears now, but Ming
Tai Bow must learn the virtue of patience!
There were many things she must learn-many
things he would teach her. Methodicaly, Fong
Yee cleared the top of the desk, carefully ar
ranged his plum-colored gown with the flowing
sleeves outside the arms of his chair then
reached forward to strike the gong that would
summon Wong But his fingers never closed on
the muted brass striker. Three shots rang out
through the room and with hoarse cry that
died In his throat, Fong Yee topped from his
chair to the floor. Through noiselessy closing
door at the rear of the room, a shadowy form
disappeared. Consciousness slipped from Fong
Yee, to return few moments later as Wong
and Ming Tai Bow bent over him. The anxious
look on the girls face pleased him. How Ia
mentable that his gown should be SO soaked
with blood Ming Tai Bow started to speak,
but Fong Yee stopped her.
"All is forgiven, my Lotus Bud. have kept
you waiting fooIishly only opunish you. And
now have so little time to look upon your
facet" Fong Yees voice came weakly. Wong
knew his master was dying
But I came" began the girl
Yes. know, know" Fong Yee interrupted
again. ITO tell me you would be my bride!" A
rafting sound in his throat choked off the
words
Again the girl started to speak, but stopped
quickly, before the first word was formed, a. q
surge of emotion that was all Chinese swept
over her Fong Yee was dying! She must spare
him his Face She remembered a toast her
older brother had drunk with his friends only
few nights before. ITO Facet" he had said. .It
is the respect without which no Chinese genr
tleman can endure. The wise Bodhidharna said
The rich man is poor without it," A strange
submissiveness came over Ming Tai Bow Ten
dsrly, she held her lovely face close tosEopg