1914-08-15 — Page 8

THE HONG KONG TELEGRAPH.

SHORT STORY.

WANDA OF THE MYSTERIES,

BY.!

SAMUEL MERWIN.

[Below will be found another of Bamuel Merwin's stories, reconating a new inoiient in the charmed life of Miss Austin. The writer of the story has won opnsiderable eminenca for bio Far Eastern talos. This one appeare in a revent issue of Maclure's-1

It was Sunday afternoon in

A few steps carried her past a group of trees and shruba,! and there, out of view from her bench, was a large camera où a

tripod, and a young fellow baaide it, amoking a cigaretto and turn ing a crank. By him stood a thin man with a Derby has on the back of his head, grayish hair, and big horn spectacles. He was smoking a cigar. And

EXTRA

HONGKONG, SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 1914,

"Beat you!"

Aunt doesn't dream. Nor to go from any one outside room Uncle.. They think I'm just the to any other without estering the green little thing I look like.

interior corridors of the building. "Well, Lurriet dearest, I've "That's my room," said Edith, learned one thing that is in"on the third floor, second from [valuable.

the corner-neex where that man We were right. A girl can is walking up and down, the one go anywhere alona-even here ↑ with the black moustache,” on the China Coast. All they Wanda's eyelide dropped for a used to try to make us believe, moment, as if her thoughts had that life is full of mysterious hiu-strayed" afield. Then, ia an salary away from me every den dangers, that people are such dreadfully complicated things, is just plain bunk. I'll admit that I've been afraid once. or twice out here, but that was b

chust

I was ignorant. I was always looking for something terrible beyond words to happen. It never did. I can see now that it never will. Why, I haven't After ibie I'm not going to be even been insulted but onee, afraid of anything.

Really, Harriet, there's no People are simple..

impenetrably casual tone, she said: "Do you know that man?" Edith did not."Oh, I've seen him around. And he's tried to flirt with me."

Wands'a face assumed

8

"And horn spectacles." "Yes. Always smoking cigar."'y

Amsterdam, June 22-The

Francisco before I found that I ANTICIPATED RETURN OF "With a razor-strop. I could had to fight the director of this GOLD TO AMERICA. show you there's marks on my company." back now. He got to bringing "You don't mean-" breathed other women right into our spart-Edith. ment-made me wait on them. Wanda's eyes were brimming steady stream of gold flowing He waa-ob, I can't! You again. She nodded. He was from the American side to this wouldn't understand! He made dreadful. I had to keep my state- me work all the time, rebearsing room door locked-until Misa La side of the ocean has attracted and playing, and then took my Place came in with me. You much attention here. Apart from must have seen him around here

the more commonly discussed cent. Not even carfare for me thin man with grayish hair. te sons for US gold exports it is felt among our bankers that and I get two hundred a week in Mr. Hemmingway." New York. Edith dear, if you

disposition of holders of American knew what men are, and what we

securities in Europe, to sell U.B. women have to endure from 'em!"

a securities at every ccossion and

the repayment of many short- "I know a little about men," sympathetic expression. "He said Edith grimly.

mused, "I term obligations falling due and would do that,” she murmured. Well, twice I tried to kill thought he looked very quiet the bolders being inclined to largely held in Europe, without He's a bad actor, if you want myself. Once by gas. He came, and-" my opinion. But then."-ahe home sober that night, for once,

reinvent the proceeds in other

em are. And he has aloe eyes me till I fainted. The other time the worst. There was a tenor gold. Some hesitation is felt "My dear," Wanda interrupted American securities, has had a gave a little sigh most of and kioked the door in, and beat impressively," the quiet ones are good deal to do with the loss of He'e the tenor in that English I was just jumping out the win singer he was only concert company that's doing the dow when he caught me by my baritone, really-with the Acorn U. S. finance bills to the a high on the part of bankers to take

sa previously, brought me to."

quiet kind that You've no which bills practically represent She opened her hand-purse; ideal I got worn out fighting drawings against shipments to be and there, nestling among three him. Sometimes I wonder what's made later on. The gold is welcomed on this side, because it diamond ringe and a diamond the use."

will benefit the international pled-up handkerchief, some tight way. That is weakness. You, ly na well as politically the sky pendant, a box of lip-carmine and a diminutive powder-puff, a ram

"But you mustn't feel that

money markets. Where financial-

"Why," Edith

Tiontain. In the little park that growding in a semi-circle behind particular mystery about life. Coast-the "Purple Mysteries."nightgown. Just see what he's Opera Company he was the same extent

is the most perfectly British thing in the British Concession, a Sikh band of fifty pieces was playing "The Stars and Stripes Forever." Tourista strolled about the gravel paths. Japanese, Hindu, and Chinees amahe fars of ruddy British babies. Outside, on the corner, a yellow Shantung policeman, baton un- der arm, languidly, watched the

these two was a respectful little gathering of touriste, amabs, children, and Chinese.

Edith stopped short. She looked at the struggling group.

The face of the pretty girl was thickly painted. For a moment

13

A shadow fell across the paper. She raised her eyes, and found the moving-pistate heroine stand- ing before her.

You know,"

'Edith said she had

advertisements.

+

T

2

placidly wheeled the perambula- Edith was too confused to move; Even as she stood quietly there, silk masks. We've been runningly folded oablegrams, a Mexican must keep up the fight-always.in Europe is not unclouded it".

she felt the red coming into her cheeks.

a bis

Then the man with the horn spectacles took his cigar from his carriages and rickshas roll by. mouth and waved it. The camera Within the park, on a bench operator stopped turning the thot was set far back amid the crank. The man on the ground shrubbery, sat Miss Edith Austin, got up and brushed with a red portfolio on her knee, clothes he was painted, too. writing a letter with a fountain. The girl smiled-even through pen. Beside her a tiny Pekinese thick grease-paint her smile was dog, black with one white ear, radiant and nodded toward liian was curled in slumber. Tucked Austin. "Thanks just as much, away inside the portfolio was a she called out in a musical voice. bag of American chocolates, into Slowly Miss Austin returned to which Miss Austin's left hand her bench, gathered up the be- made occasional forays. Her longings that had scattered out alim figure WAS comfortably of her portfolio, and tried to

a

relaxed; but her pretty mouth resume the thread of her letter. twisted itself unconsciously with But for all of half an hour she the strokes of the pen, her brows could only munch chocolates and gathered every now and then into listen to the band. Gradually, V-wrinkle just above the straight, however, her composure return. she even rather long nose, and her usually ed. After a time demure hazel. oyee were deep indulged in a faint smile, and with the immense seriousness of gave Wing, the dog, a friendly a pbilosophy based on nearly e pat. Then she wrote on: twenty years of living.

Iowa them overything for that, But they could never in the world understand our views, youre and mine. I wouldn't dare

feet tall, and could have weighed This girl was hardly above five little more than ninety pounds. her lithe young body seemed to respond uncontrollably to the swinging rhythm of the band; by same subtle, physical suggestion, che appeared on the point of breaking into a bewil lering suc cession of bendings and posings, She's the gracefullest thing I ever saw," said Edith, to herself or skin was fir and freeh; her hair, andor the big shade bat, mouth was quivering on the was really golden; her facile brink of a smile; her eyes were large, blue, and liquid.

Been the They're a phony bunch. The press is that they're big London their names known. They play people who can't afford to have in purple costumes and parple into 'em all along Yokohama, Kobe, Nagasaki, Shanghai."

The conversation fgged for a little while. The two girls watch

the passers-by. A note of melancholy orept into the voice of the little actress.

"Oh, my dear," she observed later, if you knew what I've and to endure from men. A girl is so helpless."

Uhinese characters pasted on one dollar with red paper insoribed in side of it, and a little silver change, was a small rough glass

bottle marked "Poison."

you out. Specially when you meeting the usual Antumn. "I know. But it does wear may help the money centrea in can't see anything ahead... Well, anyway, when we landed at

Yokohams I found these oable The pupile of Edith'e eyes grams from Will," She took the contracted and her lips pressed folded papers from her purse and together. But, true to her new spread them out for Elith to read. standing as a woman of experiWhile we were in Japan and ence, she suppressed the exclam. Shanghai I got a cable every day. ation of horror that was strug- gling to her lips.

stringency without high discount rates. The appointments to the

Federal Reserve Board aro favourably regarded here. Under the new law it is believed the faults of the old currency system which have so often intensified the crises in periode of depres- Thea for two weeks there was sion will be avoided. The con- Edith looked at her, and was

nothing. I couldn't imagine sequences of the outflow of earprised to see that the cornere

what it meant. Hemmingway the gold will therefore be less of her month weremagging wearily went to Chicago. I had a dread-acted so queer. Then, two days crop prospects, moreover, giving "I ran away from in and knew something, I'm sure he felt in the U.S. The brilliant and that there were tears in her

rise to the expectation of an with eyes. She wondered what dis-fal time no money at all. There ago, this came."

1738 men who would have She laid tarbing memory bad as suddenly

excellent brop, will, if realized, depressed that volatile spirit. It advanced me some, but of course

greatly favour the export figures and a good deal named hardly possible that there

of gold may be returned. This time could be sav strain of sa laem in

it may particularly be the case, the life of so lovely and youthful

because the placing of finance person.

bilis in anticipation of the coming crop has not been essy, and consequently the export of the product itself will likely have s

"Mind if I sit down you?" asked the girl.

Edith was conscions of a thrill of pleasure. This adorable little oreature, who looked like a child.. was really a grown-up actress. She earned her living, indepen. dently, in a world of men. came and wont as she chose. She had certainly travelled far; abe

Sho

had doubtless experienced much.

Yes there was not a wrinkle in the fair skin, and the blue eyes were as candid as a baby's, "I'm right," thought Edith, as she

%

Vanda slowly turned her head and met Edith's troubled gaze, She brushed a tear from her cheek. “You'll think I'm a fool," she murmured.

I

I couldn't take it not that way.

"Of course not, murmured Edith.

14

the message on Edith's portfolio. See, it's from Shanghai. He came clear across the Pacific on a fast boat. He's half way up the Coast now be here by Wednesday."

Will.

more direct favourable influence upon the trade balance of the U. S. than usually Finally, the possibility still exists that after the period of depression in

characterized by a milder altitude:

"I realize now, Harriet dear, that I can never, never again be the simple, ignorant child I was up to this year. Life has been tell them. I think it would kill made room on the bench; "she's is the matter." And she rested a hired detoclivos to shadow me. Edith, a traca in her voice of that the American securities, a périod

particularly hard for me, I think. Even with Mother I have to be careful what I say. She's a dear, but she isn't modern. She just

them."

}

as simple and sweet as if they'd kept her in a convent,"

And, as I couldn't very well go to any other manager until I Edith read the message: was free from Will-you see,

Leaving here to-night for Tien- he had always been my manager; Will. M. Ryan of the Ryan tsin. Am sure everything will Amusement Co.-there liter'ly be all right when I see you. Efith shook her head." Indeed wasn't any way I could turn. won't," she replied impulsively. One week I almost starved.

"Are you sure he your has wish you would tell me what Will sent horrid telegrams. He

band doesn't love you?" saked One of 'em told me who he was, gentle hand on the girl's sleeve

Wanda mused. I wonder if and said that if-oh, you've no same huskiness. "But, I was going to say-you remember the talks we used to I not and your dog," said the could tell you!".

idea what I've been through! Wands compressed her lips and of the American Government *** Please. · Wera von reminded have-back before either of us girl, in a pleasantly casual tone;

"Then I got a chance to come shook her head. "No.. It isn't toward capital will arrive and

that the Interstate Commerce: out here with this company and real love. Sometimes, when he knew the world at all-when we and then, I liked your looks" of something sad?" were first reading "Candida "

Tast waa silly of me run-

Wanda smiled mournfully." I do moving pictures. The money hasn't seen me for a while, I Commission may finally grant never forget it," she replied. wasn't much of course, but there fascinate bim." She turned her rates of the railroads. Should some increases in the freight "and" Woman and Economics"ning over thero," began Edith."

The girl waved the remark Only you have to keep up most was the ocean trip and a chance big appealing eyes to Edith's this fortunately happen it may was of them to bring me on this, and we used to wonder how it glorious journey round the world, would seem really to escape from carelessly asido. "Oh, thut," she the treguess that's what to see Japan, and I jumped at it."Why is it, dear-I always seem help to strengthen, onde nee in You're right-I owe them our dreadful suburban seclusion said, "We get need to that makes life so hard. Laugh and Just came "right along, "all to attract man that wrong way?

American values, which would and see a bit of this great man's You're at the Astor House too, the world laughs with you," you impetus as usual, and hopped Can it be my fault? It's 80 workstrongly in favour of reducing cverything for that,”

know." She fell to musing again. straight out of the frying-pan into disappointing. It harta so." "Tell me, Edith," she remarked, the cheerfully glowing coals. after a moment, do you think That's me, you know, all over. Τ there's such a thing in the world don't look into things careful

enough; I'm too intense."

isn't.

"And Aunt and Uncle-now, you know how perfectly bully it

단

A young girl of about her own age-a remarkably small. and

world for ourselves,

"Well, I have seen a bit of it!

"I've seen-don't over whisper a word, dear -a prize-fight in a

aren't you?" An ingenuous person, clearly. She chattered long as easily as a child often

don't know your name," Edith told her.

of

14

+

})

I'm sure it's not your fault, Wands. You can't help being

beautiful."

the effect of the big amount of gold which has left the U. B

Stolen Miniatures to News has been received in

Miss Austin had been hozily conscious, while she was writing, of some unreal: disturbance, on the grass-plot at her, right, where,

as a true friend?" a few moments, earlier, three Shanghai opium" den. I was

"I'm sure there is!" cried There was a buskinega ju little Britons had been playing a second to one of the fighters. Iine's Connidge-my stage

Wanda looked pleased for an game with jack knives. Now helped him take off his shirt. name, that is, I'm from Bridge Edith. "Won't you tell me? Edith's threat. As she locked at instant; then her eyes filled sgein. London of the disappearance of a she looked over there and with an And oh, Harriet, it was wonder-port, Connecticut. You see Perhaps I could help."

the delicately modelled face under The poor little thing!" thought miniature painting, exhibited at. effort collected her facultis. fal! You've no idea-the thrill,idge' from my city, Conn' from Wandasbrugged her shoulders,

the humanness of is!

my Slate. I think it's nice to be It's beyond that. Nobody could the big hat, at the soft little Edith. What a bundle of the Faris salon. The miniature mouth and the great childlike emotions she is. She's all tem was the work of Mr. Biohati And I've been in a rovoltat patriotic where we can don't help me now. Her pathetic eyes blus eyee, she felt that she was perament! There ought always Spenight, whose work is well emarkably pretty girl whom Peking with bombs and looking yon? Your first name's Edith, again sought Edith's girlish face. being permitted to witness one to be someone to take care of her known in London. A reward of "I don't know what on earth to eho und seen of late about the Manchus, and a revolver in my you say? I'm going to call you hotel-oame running out from the own band that I almost used that, if you don's mind. I always do. You're a dear girl, Edith of life's inexplicable tragedies. And sho's so sweet and so-8050 guiness has been offered,

but I don't believe you've had innocent but tortured soul. She Wands was sobbing now, very that the theft may be the work of

that before her was quivering an helpless."

painting represents a beautiful bushes, closely pursued. by a and against a white man! I would get mixed on last names."

little girl, and it is suggested sinister little band of Chinese have used it, too, if I hadn't been I don't mind at all," replied enough experience of life to was conscious of a new gravity, softly, and pressing her hand- cooliester hat had been nearly rescued you couldn't guess Edith, conscione that she was understand."

some woman who has lost her "I've seen a good deal," said almost a solemnity, within hereelf. kerchief to her

"Oh, nose. torn off and one sleeve of ber by a girl gambler b

being swept along rather rapidly.

She managed to ask:And it's too dreadful to tell!" she child. It will be recalled that bodios was in shreds. She was ¦ "And I've been made love to. "My first name's Wands. Edith.

a miniature which disappeared in There was so much quiet as. do you you've found more barst oat. "I am talking in deathly pale, and wae pauting for By a perfect dear of a boy, You are stopping at the Astor

this matter-of-fact way and

similar way from the British breath

House, aren't you?" ......Sometime, when I'm sure of my

Burance in her tone that Wanda trouble out here?" As Edith's started eyes were some of humour, I'll tell you about

As Wands put the question she flashed at her a glance of surprise chief to her eyes: "It's terrible, my room this afternoon-while through the post.

Wanda pressed her handker Well, that man tried to get into Academy was ultimately returned taking in the extraordinary scene, that The queer thing was that turned and looked back through and inquiry, then dropped her don't know how I came to I was dressing. I'm sotually not Padang Rubber,

The report of the Padang Rub- a good-looking young American for about twenty minutes 1 really the shrubbery toward the big eyes and remarked": hurried to the rescue. But two wanted to fall in love. Can you hotel across the street. Built "You see, dear, I was married confide in you in this way. But safe there in my own room,

I've got to talk to somebody. It's ran out of the hotel. I came here ended 30th April, 2014, states ber Company, Ltd., for the year of the Chinese held the girl, and believe it?, I wanted to. Me! for comfort during the long eam-wo years ago":

either some kind of sympathy because it was open and safe that the profit amounts to la. the other bare the American to

"Then I got sensible all at once, mers, the front wall of the

The exclamation slipped by and help or her voice quivered and there were people. And you 42.561.87, which, with the balance won't come. And after that I tier of broad verandahs or galleries Edith's guarding lips. Then" or that little bottle. I'm in were here. I thought maybe brought forward of Tia. 16,651.68; dream. The band, ebe knew, wasn't even interested. You aren't that extended the full width of in fear that she had betrayed some a trap. I don't know what to do." you'd let me talk. 1 had to talk makes a total of Tls. 59,213.66 much interested in sneezes after the building and on around the anxperience, she hurried on uncleaping her fingers in her lap, parfokly helpless. Hemmingway was paid in December last, and

And she took to clasping and to somebody. I'm all alone-and

An interim dividend of 3 per cent. The American lay still there word, you

corner. The outside rooms on **You surprised me. You seem on the ground. They were leay Miss Austin lingered a moment each floor opened on the gallery so young and inexperienced "Try to be calm, said Edith is even holding back my salary, ing him, and were dragging the over this sentence with a pleased by shuttered doors, long rowe of yourself.

gently. Relax. And tell me just the way Will always did if the directors recommend a final dividend of Tls. 0.50 per share smile; then continued

m. Thus it was

it was possible," by Oh, my dear my dear! quietly. I'm going to help you don't know what to do. If life dropping the portfolio, and ran

saddening to learn that you're stairways connecting them know all I've soffered had to Wanda gave her a grateful want-to-live!" not the falling-in-love kind. (thbed latter's were around the leave. 'im. Ba's a drunkard), look, and continued We

corner at the end of the building), And be beat mo, and c)}")] weren't three days out from San (To bo Continued next Saturday.) But I

suppose it's anfor.

the ground, beating him savagely. Edith wondered if it were a

was still playing.

girl away. Edit sprang up

It slipped by like a sneeze that structure was set back bebind a

know."

Married

I

I

after them. Don't do that almost sorry. It's rather using the galleries and the out- murmured Wanda" If you if I can and she mbas got to be like this, I don't making 8 per cent, for the year)}}"

she found herself shouting.

Holpher Help her!

****

place to the equalisation of divi.

dend fund Tls. 10,000, and ATT

forward s. 9.218.35.