1914-08-22 — Page 8

THE HONG KONG TELEGRAPH.

SHORT STORY.

WANDA OF THE MYSTERIES,

BY

SAMUEL MERWIN

[Below will be found the conmore easily, without Aunt or oluding instalment of anothe Uncle suspecting a thing." of Samuel Morwin's stories' But Wandam dono objections recounting a new incident iu Instead, she cried again. And the charmed life of Misa Austin. after a moment she asked in an The writer of the story has won unsteady voico, from bahiad be considerable 'ominence for handkerchief: Is that gold o hia Far Eastern tales. This one Mex, dear?" appeared in a recent issue of Maclure's.]

Again she fell to sobbing. But after a few moments,

with an obtious effort ut self-control,

ghe quieted. Then sho wiped her eyes deftly with a 'quick -glance to left and right, applied the diminutivo power-pull to her nose, dropped her hands. listlessly to her lap; and gazed, with eyes that seemed to be look ing very far, in the direction of the bond-atand, with its glitter, of silver and brass, its dreamy brown faces, its enormous red tarbane.

and

EXTRA

HONGKONG, SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 1914,

seemed stuffy-I had to step out on the gallery for a breath of air."

"That was unwise," Edith replied. She felt very old and experienced and responsible. "There isn't much use in hiding jon, you know, if you're going to get excited and show yourself the arst thing.

the smaller of the two figures.

"Oh," he said, in what was evidently genuine surprise

“how do you do!

"Why, you you know each other!" exclaimed Miss Austin.

"Well-how ?""

•ber.

That's

"What 'is?"

"That she made her get-away,

If she and her tenor were here. when the husband walked in, there'd likely us not be trouble.

know how these ossee go.

I

Edith stepped out on the porch and followed the vehicle with her

body. No; it was "Look here, Edith; you've Wands that got into

our little eyes uatil it disappeared. Then

SOMO she found the Chinese head por

koooked about some, you've seen sympathetic spirit. I wish I ter, slipped a key and a gold

a bit of life-I guess perhaps knew who." you've got sense enough to under- sovereign into his impassivo hand,

stand. I met that girl on the after all," said Mr. Wilberly. "It's probably a good thing, gave him

certain very

Bat, without speaking farther, street just this morning. Flirt positive instructions in bor bast

Harry Parnell briskly led the pidgin-like two infants. We pidgin-English. Five minutes

way up Victoria Road to a corner took a walk. We were silly, of later, standing near the side "Now, dear," Edith continued, some two blooks above the steamer course my engagement for to. entrance, she had the pleasure of please put this money in your wharf, then turned off to the bank night was with seeing three trunks carried out purse. I don't want to carry so of the arrow, very sluggish well, that's all."

d wheeled away. On the two much about with me. Two littlo river that is known as the Edith was puzzled, "No, that enda of ench trunk, where the three-five-eight-twelve, thir- Pei-ho, The girla followed. | isn't quite all," she said. “What words, "Wanda Connidge, New toea-fifteen sovereigns. That's York," had appeared, there was about soventy-five dollars, isn't A sampan, manned by two

made you say what you did, at the landing. Did you see any- ow a row of Astor House labela, it? I figure that you'd better Harry tossed the baggage aboard, thing on the steamer asted symmetrically side by have at least that much. And and handed the two girls in after

Harry prepared to beat a re- The director sniffed. "Not here's your ticket. Your name,

it, for the present, is Miss Robinson."

It's late, Elith. No a bit of it. Bill Ryan's the best- "The boat drifted out into the can keep wake my side. Ad hearted fellow in the world to Wanda's eyes.

The tears again came rushing current. Wands ourled up in you're tired out. I've told you couldn't hurt a fly."

She took the bow, silent and pensive.

all I know. All I know," be

"But the tear. He's the orsay and kissed it. "You're very, very guiding their little craft, And Then he said good night, and Edith's hand in both of her own, Harry gave all his attention to repeated, with an odd emphasis. kind, you say good to me, Edith dear," she mur Edith looked from one to the mured brokealy,

other, wondering. was all

eido.

So much accomplished, Edith rossed to the park. There, walking to and fro in a secluded "Gold, of course. Now come. He had grown rather good-looking orner, she found Harry Purnell. Waada; we musta't be sitting here since their school days; and his if I'm to get you off to-day."

"To-night!" repeated Wands, capered by a whimsical, rather canner, a businesslike briskness almost in consternation...

acetious humour, was not al- “Tonight," "Bmiled. Eith

ogether unpleasing she thought. absolutely in my hande." "And you're to put youselfde wore nose-glasse, and carried heavy cane. He was humming Very mysterious," he said, as they shouk bands-"very my

off without Hemmingway kaow- "But I can't get three trunks

ing

↑

Tean, ," said Elith calmly, "But he'll be watching. And if he miges me, he'll watch the boat." Then she replied: "TH

Edith bositatol but a moment, guir. anted to get you off to-night. Now come."

in a light tenor voice.

sterious:"

got to help me smuggle a poor It had to be, Harry. You've

girl off on the Shanghai boat to night, and you're not to ask any questions."

"

"

"Now you behave," Elith could manage by way of reply.

native boatmen, awaited them.

There was no moon.

treat.

.

left her.

After a late breakfast, on the way below them the black bulked into the lounge, and found her A little following morning, Edith wander-

Wauda dropped the gold coins mid-channel by fenders, loomed ing in the offhand manner that of the ship, held out nearly in uncle and Mr. Hemmingway talk into her parse one by one. And big and mysterious. In the mon affect. Edith stood by the ench coin, as it fell, clinked softly against the bottle of poison. They absurd little river and from their table behind them, and picked she said: "You must be sure and lowly point of observation, the up a postcard labelled " View on

Taka Road; Tientsin." small cosating steamer appeared tell me how much you spend, dear.as huge as a transatlantic liner. So I'll know."

'Speaking as a was speaking thus, I don't see man,"it was Mr. Wilberly who how you handle theso crazy I'd be inclined actresses at all. to bring 'em up with a round

Edith smiled, patted the soft cheek, and left her.

She went downstairs and out to the porch, looking about for

lights were blazing. A belated High above the shadowy hall, passenger, very drunk, as is not unnatural on the Coast after mid-

4

"Trouble? What kind of trouble?"

"Oh, row-punoh his face- aboot, maybe.

14

Tonora don't shoot people,"

granted Mr. Hemmingway.

Edith, her head a chaos of emotiona and thoughts, quietly and across to the park, whore, made her way out of the room though there might be disturb ing memories, there was air.

After dinner that evening, business Edith became aware that Mr.

oatoh her eye. Finally he ea Hemmingway was trying to countered her as a moment when her aunt and uncle had gone into the office to look at a new asked if she would step out to the

that she did not see how to porch for a moment. He was It so grave and kindly in manner

"Discretion is my middle her aunt and uncle. Just out. night, was reeling up the long) tarn if they tried any of their lot of painted snuff-bottles, and

ume," "amiled Harry. "Can Co. But you very nearly didn't find yourself as a charmer, Edith, is me in. And if your over doubt

breaking a previous 'engagement with a particularly attractiva por on for this very evening."

followed by a line of porters with gang-plank above the water,

baggage.

Edith, hor colour slightly

As they satured the hotel. heightened, was thinking intently, Edith observed the tenor with and toying absently with the the black moustacho sitting alone silky little dog, as slie thought. You the porch over a half.conau-may help some to know that. I'm his little cane against the chairs of sight from the wharf. Wanda exceeded all legal bounds, as it refuse. There was a coaster sailing that led whisky and Tansun. His night for Shanghai, And there face was flushed, his eyes were was Harry Parnell of the Consular roving and, she thought, a bit staff, who had been three grados wild. He glanced furtively at above her in the public solinol at them. Edith felt Wanda tremble, home. He had been nice and;

and drew close to her, and she attentive during hor

atay burried or into the building and here. Well, now was his chance to be nicer. Should she tall up the stairs.

D

y

E

"

bag, then returned for Wanda boat myself last night until she Harry climbed up with the fallen down. And I watched that

The actress threw her arms around Edith's

neck and kissed her. Edith could see

that her eyes were shining and

that she was smiling

sailed at two."

"Do aboard ?

side the door she encountered the

temperament on me. tenor, who was hurrying around face working nervously, switching the farther ade of the ship, out haan't worked in this oase. I've "It wouldn't work," replied the corner of the building, his

The sampan drifted down on Mr. Hemmingway quietly.

and tables as he passed them. was humming a gay little tune. At sight of her, he stopped short,

ie, trying to keep that girl here, stared for an instant (very rudely, plates of the hall, that towered hold her until he could get here. They scraped softly, along the But I cabled Bill Ryan that I'd "That was good of you, Harry." she thought), then turned and above them

You see, like 'No-just wouk. Sufficiency. hurried back around the corner.

I had promised him that "wall. เ Let's have

if he'd bring out Elsio Baker Well aft, two-thirds of the way to Chop-chop!

Edith gazed after him thought the stern, a rope was tapping could take Wands back. Now your instructions.

from our Chicago company, he fully. Whatever unknowa tor gently. Harry caught it. A For a little time they walked rare might be lying in wait for head peered out of an opening Sea with Miss Baker, as por agree- Edith called a boy and sent about the park, Harry listening lovely little Wonda at Shanghai just above them. Then a rope ment, and I've got no Wanda. I've Wanda about the need of includ-hurriedly written chit to Harre attentively while Elith explained or on the remainder of the long ladder was lowered.

here he is, tearing up the Yellow ing Harry in her plans? No; it Purnell at the Consulate. She her needs. They walked around hard journey home, it would would be better to tell Wauda and Wanda speodily packed th nothing. It was a situation to thros trucks, then slipped downed on the corner while Harry safely out of Tientsin.

to the Consulate, and Edith wait certainly be a relief to get her try the mettle of the cosmopolitan the corridor to Elith's room. slipped inside. They took a pony Mies Austin. She must manage There Wanda was attired in a victoria and drove rapidly to the Wilberly aid unexpectedly:

That evening, at, dinner, Mr. it alone. Fler money was all, or nearly all, in the form of set on the couches aud left to wharf. Here she waited, while way, the moving picture muss, boarded ship. Finally man, travellers' obeques. These must bo bonverted into gold but they the lounge on the main floor, back to the hotel and up to her seen anything of his Mise Con- Edith next wandered down to they separated, and Edith burried wanted me to ask if you've distinctly must not be cashed at and, with a large volume of the Astor House, the only place Views of Tieatsiu" on her knee,

nidge in the past few hours." at which she was known that was sat where she could command the

She softly tried the door. I: For a moment. Edith's pulse open on Sundays.. Yes, it

was locked. There was no sound stopped. porch and front steps through a

Edith's body seemed to freeze was quite a little situation. But,

within. She tapped softly. She window an the main hall a calm assurance 'within her, on

was glad that Wandz harl looked lier in the afternoon, I told him and carried her up, disappearing The blood rushed out of her face; He saw her talking to yourear-ed up her alight body in his arms as she stood motionless there. assurance that, surprised herself, through a wide door.

The tenor saw her, and, hastily caution. She tapped again. she has disappeared completely. a moment he reappeared, drop-antil her fair skin was suffused the door; it was a wise pre- you'd hardly know. It seems with her within the ship. After and then, as swiftly, rushed back brought a faith that she would be equal to whatever it might prove san, sauntered, with an assump fallen asloop. She walked to the ment, entered her room, and.

galping a fresh whisky and Tau Doubless the poor child had le got a key from the manage-ped down into the sampan, and with colour. Had she, after all, necessary to do.

"Don't you see," Wanda was and starod in at her. He wore a

tion of carelessness, to the door end of the corridor and back, found her trunka gono. Faany saying, "there may be dreadful soft straw hat pulled down on oua She lingered a moment at the

considering whether to waken her. thing." trouble when Will gets bere? side of his head, and carried a door, then knocked more loudly Suppose he found out about Hem-fight bamboo stick. She watch with her knuckles this time. mingway. When he's drunk you ed him; over her book. just can't talk to 'im. You can't moment he sauntered away and felt a bit worried-there was no After & Still there was no meponse. She 'tell what he'd do. I'm horribly afraid. There might evan ba

do.... telling what the child might shooting."

"Listen," said Edith, with a certain that he wants to annoy away, when the sound came to She was turning irresolutely

asconded the stairs,

He's a vain bruto," thought Edith. "And it's just about

room.

"

drew Mr. Wilberly's attention to Just then the Chinese waiter the monu; and that gentleman his noseglasses, put them on, and hunted about his waletcoat for gave his attention undividedy, to the important matter of the next course.

Edith controlled the impulse

know she

"Certainly. After they'd cast

the lowest rung of the ladder, stories. He had his arm around of the little devil waved at me from the deck. She was with As obe placed a dainty foot on that fool tenor of the 'Purple My delight at the romantic quality Wanda giggled outright in sheer

her," of her flight. Then Harry pick-

pushed off.

They were back on firm earth

be seemed anable wholly to sup with some evidence of feeling that before he spoke. Then he said,

press:

what you've been mixing in?"

Edith, I wonder if you know

"What do you meao, Harry?"; "I wonder if you know what that girl is up to?"

Edith was tired, and Harry's

accomplished nothing more than

the financing aaristage-managing

still speaking: scions that Mr. Hemmingway was of a wretched amour !

Gradually abe became con-

"Rather an interesting cage, by the way, for the paycho- pathologists. That girl has run away with five different men, to my knowledge; and every one of them was a tenor singer. Even

He led ber to a corner behind drew a paper from his pocket. a group of potted palms, and He looked puzzled, she thought.

14

from Wanda Connidge," he said. "I-I've received a wireless

twenty-six peaude, four shillings. She instructs me to pay you

Here it is." He produced a and eightpence out of her salary. beary little canvas bag. Then he cleared his throat.

"If you don't mind my asking,"

?e that just what she he went on, pushing his hat bajk and

running bis long fingers into bis hair,

is that the right you?"

owed

Edith did a little mental arith- Yes," she

said; it is. Exactly. Why, matic, then nodded.

chocolate!" she has even remembered the

The money she placed in the top drawer of her bureau.In this same drawer was her red portfolio.

deliberately read her unfinished she drew it out, opened it, and Smiling a little, and blushing,

latter to Harriet, read it through to the end: there's no particular mystery "Really, Harriet, about life. People are simple.'

Several times she read these concluding words; atood there

quiet sort of determination in her Wands." She deliberately laid her ears of a door closing within to drew a long breath. Instead, tone disturbed her. "I know including Bill himself-he used roading them until the blush and

the room. It must have been the

Voice: "I'm going to bring you

down her book and followed;

right in with me-in my room. Now, tell me, if you should rub

"if I

80p!

obair to the light, curled up in it, sitting comfortably on her foot, and very soberly wrote a letter that began as follows: Dear Harriet:

she nibbled a bread-stick and thie," she broke out almost hotly: to be a light-opera tenor. It's a the smile had slowly left her face. away, is there any place you could outside the room Wanda had but the two doors. She hoord room with a face that was in to-night she would have been in away, and always a tenor. Can basket by the window, drew a big

occupied. At sight of Edith be light feet crossing the room; Ausked to an oven deeper red, then the key turned, and Wanda Wanda's face brightened, and hurried out to the gallery by opened to bor. "You're awfully good, Edith. I the door at the end of the cor- was thinking, if I could only get ridor, to Shanghai-the Auckland Amateurs offered me a job when a wore at Kobe. They'll be there next week. That would keep me going until Icould make some arrangements to get back home."

"What's the fare?"

The little actress bad found a lacy boudoir cap of Edith'a which, and resumed her chair and book. hanging down ber back almost to Edith returned to the lounge with the thick yellow braide

little time passed. Then the hor Eneos, her bigh colour, ner- thin figuro and the horn spectacles vous smile, and a peculiar sparkle for which she was watching sp. and glow in the expressive eyes, peared in the hall. She couldn't gave her something the appear help thinking that the director ance of an excited little fairy. "Well," replied Wanda more person looked rather nice. He For a moment Edith gazed at her briskly.

of course that's hope- was the last man she would have in a sort of admiring dismay. less. I haven't got three dollars. picked for a monster. Is had Was it right to pack off this It costs forty or 80 and then strong lines in his face and a alarmingly beautiful little girl on there's all the extras, and some patient expression about the eyes. a four-day journey alone and to "thing for Shanghai—”

"So gocs life," she thought. To such a destination as Shanghai? Edith interrupted ker: "Now, me that tenor is a horrid thing: Tet-to leave her here to be Wanda dear, you're not to be hurt but Wauda thinks he has nice quarrelled over by a violent or offended at what I'm going to eyes. Wanda knows this manager husband and an unscrupulous say. It's a crisis, and you must is a brute; and here I'm thinking manager! be sensible. I've got money on- I might like him." ough. You can send it to me Very deliberately Mr. Hem later on any time. I could let mingway descended the stops, you have a hundred dollars or called a ricksha, and rode away

Edith took her hand and led her to the couch. "You lie down and rest," she commanded. so nervous, Edith dear. The room "I can't," said Wanda: "I gat

scrutably demure.

At one o'clook that night, sure that I haven't saved her life,

terrible trouble here. I'm not you beat it?" except for an occasional hilarione even."

"People are queer,” observed Mr, Wilberly sententiously. sound from the bar-room, the big hotel was still. Lights were out a touch of mystification in Lis are some queer. I knew one other

"Ob," murmured Harry, with

They certainly are. People

were piled os porch tables. And walked without speaking, looking for falling in love with star while now, and I must say it is in the lounge. Porch chairs voice. And for a little way he ease like this a middle-aged

business man who had a mania We've been at Tientsin quite a on the corner a Chibli policeman, straight ahead. arms folded, motionless, leaned against a tree.

When they had nearly reached actresses. No matter how beauti- nothing like so interesting as Two slim figures in long rain-"Did you give her any money, her name

the hotel, he asked:

ful she might be, she had to be Peking. It is more like a Euro an actress and a star-with pean city, you know. There are coate, each carrying a hand- Edith 7

on the billboards, shops, of course, when you know bag, come tiptosing out of a room

We counted ap eleven of them, where to look for them; and they on the third floor, walked softly-I did.

"Why, yes, if you must know

Ele pestered along, the verandah, turned the

have some nice things. I bought them pursued corner, and descended two flights tally.

"Mm," said he non-commit Several times he was arrested. old red one. And then there is them-wrote outrageous letters, beautiful Mandarin coatin of stairs. Walking more rapidly, they came around the hotel into and faced him.

At the hotel steps, she turned Bat he couldn't stop worse than very nice raw silk lace that the liquor to him. Well, there's two Chinese girle make in the French Victoria Road and headed north. shadow of the trees, a young man have met before."

On the next corner, in the "You and Wanda Connidge know how Wanda got on that shop. I picked up a lot of it Now listen, Harry," she said. things I would certainly like to Convent. It is astonishingly

bast, and who put up the money.

it goes so wonderfully with the awaited them. He stepped for- ward as they approached, and Wanda Connidge?"

"Oh," he replied, is her name Wilson, the Mysteries manager, piens of natural Assam silk that tells me that the tenor didn't Aunt bought at Shanghai to make took the baga from them. But, instead of moving on with them,

Mias Anatin atomped her foot. have twenty cents. Why, they mo a dream out of. And I under the big hat that crowned I didn't know her name." he stood motionless and peered fully, we have met before, but weeks. And this guy hasn't got and ton to go with it. What do Really," said he, almost cheer haven't paid salaries for five got coms Satsuma buttons-blue

braine enough to awindle any- you think?

{J

1.

may