CHINA MAIL
CHRISTMAS SUPPLEMENT, 1928.
MCEWAN'S
CREAM
STOUT
A DELICIOUS
AND NOURISHING
: DRINK.
an go.........00000000000003000023
00.
THE BAKILLY CO., LTD.
牌老環雙
Trade
Mark
AM
Agantn
PRICES
Per case.
4 doz. qts..
8.doz. pls. 12 doz. nípg
$27.00 ..$34.00
.$35.00
DONNELLY & WHYTE, Hong-Kong
Tel. C. 636.
DONNELLY & WHYTE
SOLE AGENTS.
carved a face, and the wrinkled old man smoked his pipe reflectively near by. -
"That's two to-day!" he meditated. "Not a bad business!"
Tel. C. 636.
Suitable Gifts for
Christmas
NOW ON VIEW.
DEALERS IN DRUGS, PATENT MEDICINE, Surgical Instruments, Optical, Toilet Articles, Blankets, Umbrellas, Hosiery and · Sundry Soft Goods. Manufacturers of Toilet Preparations & Perfumery.
Office 153, & 155, Des Voeux Road Central. TELEPHONE No. C, 2565. Factory 19, 20, 21, & 22, Shaukiwan Road. TELEPHONE No. C. 757.
a couple of fingers, drawing out some old folded parchments covered with fine writing, Indoors the others crowded round Larry, and he tried to read them, but could not.
Suddenly he was brought back to carth "What is this extaordinarily fine present, by the shrill voice of his spouse. In 'striking you have given me. Christine?" he asked: contrast to the sweet tones she had used Somewhat confused, and yet thrilled by when addressing Christine, she let forth asthe pleasure and surprise her Christmas gift storm of abuse on his head, concluding, "And had brought to him, she told how she chose you've let that young woman have the real, it and bought it. genuine stone face, you fool!"
"Eh?" he muttered, staggered; for the original was really believed to be of some value; unlike the clever plaster imitations of his pre-boyhood days.
Having heard the conversation whilst walking along the garden path, sheltered be hind a tall hedge, Christine suddenly retraced her footsteps and returned to her friends' home. There she deposited the old face in a corner of the rockery and hurried indoors.
Christmas morning dawned bright and fair, and Christine, leaving her room to go downstairs to breakfast, met Larry.
"Happy Christmas, little girl he whispered, and, holding over her head a sprig of mistletoe, his lips raet hers for an in- 'stant.
"Here!" she cried, affecting indignation. Then, "I've got a present for you in the garden!"
"In the garden?" Larry repeated, puzzled.
"I'll show you!" Christine answered, and, leading the way, she pointed to the stone Image and then fled..
Amazed, Larry bent over the stone and examined it carefully. R
"A beautiful piece of work," he mused. "Will fit in here beautifully." Then he noticed a crack, and half dreaming, tapped around it. To his surprise, the crack widened a little. He peered inside, and then inserted
HONG KONG.
Christine walked across the common. Point- ing to the yew and laurel-hedged path which wound to the church door, Christine said, "I think that's a lovely pathway, don't you?!
"Perfect for a wed---" rejoined Larry, suddenly checking himself. Christine blush- ed and smiled. After the service they sought the rector, who promised to try to read the parchments for them.
"Look in at the Rectory during the even- "I am afraid I caused the crack," she ex-ing, if you care," he said. "I might be able plained. "I didn't know you were watching to tell you something." me from your study last night while I was putting the figure into position in the rock- ery. Then I suddenly saw you light a match in the darkness, and I am afraid I must have dropped the figure rather heavily and came into the house, scared stiff that you would have seen the stone, I am so sorry, that I cracked it."
"My dear girl," rejoined Larry, “if you hadn't cracked it we should never have known that it contained anything at all."
“I've got a present for you, too," Larry proceeded. "But perhaps you won't mind waiting a wee while for it?"
Their eyes met for a moment, full of love and understanding. Then came the sum mons to breakfast,
Over the meal they chatted about the parchments, debating what their meaning might be.
....
Larry and Christine spent a happy afternoon, and soon after tea they walked to the Rectory, where, a cheery party was in progress.
"I think I have some good news for you," the rector announced, smiling. Then he explained. The documents made clear what had hitherto been a deep mystery.
It appeared that old William Bullough, one, of Larry's ancestors, had formerly own- ed a large stretch of the rolling acres they could see from their house, but one day William's ne'er-do-well brother Jack arrived on the scene from overseas. Terribly an-. xious to make sure that the worthless scamp should not make the property his own, Willam's own scn having died, William look- ed round for a place in which to hide his will and the title deeds. He was something of An'amateur sculptor, and chose a stone, which "I think," suggested Mrs. Bullough, he hollowed and on which he carved, the face "that the best thing to do would be to see of his beloved wife, Tho atone was entrust- the rector. He is an authority on old docu-ed to the care of his gardener, who was en- ments, missals, and such like, I believe. You joined to keep it carefully from the brother. could catch him after the Christmas morn ing service, perhaps?"
*
"A fine idea agreed Larry and Chris- tine. Presently these two started for the village church, while Molly and her mother remained to prepare the Christmas dinner.
The bells pealed merrily as Larry and
What happened then could only be sur mised, but doubtless it was handed down in the gardener's family until the present gar dener, long since retired from active work, conceived the Idea of passing off as genuine plaster Imitations, at a fine profit. Evidently,
(Continued on "Puge 20.) ·
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