The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1915-10-14
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The Lost Jewels Of a
Mandarin
By CLARISSA MACKIE
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Richard Durwent. looked gloomily
around the disordered library, which
had lost its accustomed air of quiet
repose. Packing cases jostled each
other. and the empty bookshelves pro-
claimed that their contents had been
, transferred. -
The big mahogany table in the mid
die of the room was Uttered with writ
ing materials, for Durwent and his
friend, Angus McNair, had been max
ing an inventory of the contents of the
room and had been putting in the pack
ing cases the few books and curios that
Durwent could not bear to part with.
Durwent, traveller and explorer, had
made an unwise investment, and he
awoke to find himself penniless. Even
the sale of his furniture and books
would barely cover the amount of his
debts. On the morrow the goods were
tc be carried away to the auction rooms.
The apartment would be to let.
'3You will keep the set of Kipling?''
asked McNair, posing his fountain pen
over the writing pad. 20.
eyes, but the other first editions must
go, Angus. That cleans up all the
books
eyes, and, man, you won't take it
amiss if buy in some Of them for my
own library?" ..--..,- ,. -
i9Iy fIonV, mt
boost the prices"
McNair laughed. mo, no. I'll take
my chance with the others, Richard.
It shan't be said profited by my
friends adversity."
Hang it all, Angus, why did l try
to speculate?" fretted Durwent. 81
haven't got any head for money mat
tiers anyway
"You listened to the voice of the SER
pent, meaning the willy Mr.. Wales
smiled McNair, pulling a battered pipe
from his pocket. He certainly trim
med you neatly, Richard. You mind,
I'm so sore at him that can't speak
decently when we meet" -
"I'll have to make another plunge
into the unknown" went on Durwent
.''just when I'd made up my mind to sit
quietly at home and enjoy my books"
'There's Landlords expedition into
Cochin China,'' suggested McNair.
GIVE joined IT," said the other
tersely.
you'll be writing another book and
making more mOney-barrels of it.
Hoots, mon," he went on, his Scotch &C.
cent growing pronounced as he became
excited. maybe you were thinking OF
retiring too soon. Your worruk's not
half done in the, world! All, wish
could adventure forth instead of being
tied down to medical practice!'
"Come with me as physician to the
expedition" urged Richard.
81 can't leave my poor people," OBJ
jected McNair, and then they both
laughed, for DR.. McNair's charity pa
tients represented hobby.
He went over to the mantelpiece
and CROPPED among the litter of worries
and bronzes.
'Have you any tobacco. Richard?
Where's your old jar?"
I'm the bottom of my trunk" con-
fessed Durwent. tits an old friend of
mine, and l was afraid it might get
mixed up with some of this salable
stuff. l wasn't taking any chances
with it. Have cigarette?" extending
his case. ..
mo, thanks. What's in this jar
not pinch of 'baccy?" lifting the
cover Of a large bronze jar with an
ivory dragon twisted around it. The
cover handle was of ivory in the form
of a raven. why, it's fullr',
Durwent laughed.
'1've never even tried Whit of it.
1t was given TO me under suspicious
circumstances. and I've neglected to
empty it. Why, that tobacco must be
fifteen years old. | got it when made
that trip up the Yangtzekiang, you re-
MEMBER =-,s
Give read your book. ought to re-
member said McNair dryly He dip
PED his pipe into the jar and crammed
the brown powdery flakes into the
bowl. I'll try it anyway while you
spin me a yarn about it.
He scratched match and puffed
slowly. Blue spirals assembled from the
bowl.
"That's not bad, Richard" declared
the scotchman, throwing himself into
a chair.
''You better take it, then. You can
use it for emergencies. when, like the
present, you can't get anything better
Take jar and all"
mo, thank you. can't bear creepy,
crawly things around" said the other.
drawing on his pipe ''I'll take the
'baccy, but the jar you can keep Tell
me the story
'It's not much of STORY returned
Durwent. lighting cigarette and sit
ting down on corner of the table. 1T
was when was in the upper reaches
Of the Yangtze. among the rocky
gorges. where our boat slid and bobbed
and foundered through the rapids. /
had gone ashore to examine the re-
mains Of an ancient shrine, and I be-
came separated from my servants.
"Suddenly through the underhrnsb