“PEACE HATH HER VICTORIES”

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2069, 21 December 1907, Page 2 (Supplement)

“PEACE HATH HER VICTORIES”

(By Julia Leo Logan.)

Tho first wan light of tiny lay along tho east when Captain Fleming, woary with tho night's work, tramped into the room, and sank hoavily into a chair in front of his desk. His eyo fell upon tho letter which ho had opened with such egernoss just before ho went out early in the night. Ho reached for it now, opened it nervously, and, holding it close to the dim light, vend: Nacosa-ri, Estado de Sonora, Mexico, Sept. 5, 1904. Dear Jack: Tho game’s up. Can’t hold out any longer. Ludlow got cold feet at tho last minute and wouldn’t go in. If wo don’t sell now wo lose everything we’ve risked. So wo come out with our skins, instead of with a fortune 1 Our chance is lost for the lack of the loan of a paltry fifty thousand. The Mandells will give us just what we put in—not a cent more. It’s pretty hard on you, old man, I know —you’ve counted on things so. You'll hear from me again soon. Yours “de profundis,” SIDNEY. lie laid the letter down and looked hard at the toe ol his shoe. He was watching the procession of the things of Ids desire moving away from him. Freedom from debt, wealth, gratified ambition —all sank below his horizon. He could let them go. But in their wake he could see the woman he. loved, and who bore the curse of wealth, giving her hand to the other mau —the man who had the nrice her father would demand. The door .opened and the corporal of the guard ushered in Lieutenant Hornaday. “One more liouso was discovered and raided about an hour ago. I guess that’s about alii of them,” said the young officer. '“Order out an extra' force tonight-,” said the captain crisply. “The governor-general’s orders are for the closing of every gambling-liouso in Manila, and they shall bo carried out. Have you any further information in regard to tho management of tlieir places?” “They are nll'owend by one man, a Chinaman named Chin" Li.” “Pretty tough luck for him,” u.us ed the captain, and then iho said shortly, “That will do, Hornaday.” With tho closing of tho door the military condition of Manilla was shut- out of the captain’s thoughts, and lie sat with his elbows on his desk, and his head leaning heavily on his hands. He looked fixedlv at the top of his inkstand. Again he was watching that slow procession of- his much-desired moving always away Jrom him. An- hour later the door onened. and another visitor was ushered in. His skin was yellow, his hair black, and ho walked noiselessly. “Well, who are you?” demanded Captain Fleming perfunctorily. “Ching Li,” came tho reply, as from an automaton. “What do you want?” pursued the captain. The automaton advanced and laid .-a package on the desk. “What is that?” asked the caprtain, without changing his position. “Fifty thousand dollas,” replied (Ching Li, “for you—plesent.” The captain looked from the package to the donor and back again, .then he said cooflly, “Do you see that door?” Chin Li glanced in that direction, you don't want your head smashed. ' . “Well, you got yourself and your ' out of it as quick as you can, money S< rtl * morning Captain Flem- , *. desk, his melancholy he sat at h , , ,£uxh, His mind was mood fit-ill upon „ , , sick with haunting wha * him-lmd the th °" sana come his way. . T . The door opened and C, UU S 1 a °‘ ,r ’ stood before him. The ca. nt . aln sto ° up as if about to speak vi/ c tP ro “s y» then sank down again. Ch» n S 1 laid a package upon the desk. “What’s that?” said the caota-V 3 quickly. “Hunled thousand dollas.” reolied Ching Li, “plesent for you.” The captain looked -at the top of liis inkstand, then out of the window. Suddenly he seized the package and bullied it at Clung Li, following it with all the books within his reach. “Get out of here, you yellow-skin —you and your dirty dollars!” he cried, shaking his fist violontly, and following the dispassionate Cliijig Li i and his lucre to tbe door. Imnfbdiatoly fie oidered his horse and was presently on his way to headquarters. Upon arriving there he was told t-liat tho governor-general was engaged, and could not be disturbed.

“Say to General Latef.l that the matter is urgent. It is absolutely necessary that I see .him at once,” lie insisted.

A few minutes later he was ushered into tho governor-generaPs presence. “Well, what’s the trouble, Fleming?” asked the general, testily. “Be quick. You’ve interrupted my conference with tho commandim" officer from Mindanao.” “General Latell, I have come to resign my commission—to take effect as soon as possible. I also request leave of absence, pending the acceptance of my resignation.” “Why, man, what do you mean?” cried tho genera?, leaning forward excitedly.

“I moan, General, that thero are urgent reasons why I should do this —and at once. I beg that you will not delay.”

“But it is impossible! You’re my right-hand man I I can’t get along without you I You can’t do it!” stormed the general. . “I’m sorry, General, but it’s -absolutely necessary,” replied Fleming dogTlfo floor opened and an orderly stepped in to say that Colone# Newell presented bis compliments and Tie liad an important engagement which would compel him to leave in twenty

minutes. “Say to him that I am using an possible despatch and will he with him immediately,”, replied the general. The papers were written out and hurriedly signed. Then the general moved round the table, and placing his hand on the-captain’s shouldAn* six>ke as man to man. “Jack, my boy, it seems to me that you owe it to a friend to civo some idea as to the cause of this strange act. Are you in trouble, or are things getting too strenuous. Is it too hard to cope with the Chinese gamblers, eh?” he finished banterfngly. , “No,” responded Fleming, ns he

moved toward tho door, “but I’ll just tell you, General, they’re getting too near my price!”