Evening star., 1935-04-07

gift"
Was it for this thou vast logged
through the streets like a common
theft"
Ho Nan hung his head. My friend.
it is not meet to speak of these things.
But that thou may'st completely
understand how great was my desire.
shall tell thee all.
"Dost know the beauty Of Chen
isis garden in this - the mating
season? l stood upon the marble
bridge across the tiny lake. The soft
call of thrush was answered from the
thicket by the willow tree. Tuberoses
and narcissi poured heavy perfume
upon the air. Flaming lilies wantonly
tossed their golden pollen upon the
tranquil bosom Of the pool, blending
their reflection with that of the sunset
sky and with the dropping wisteria
bending to kiss the lotus buds. What
wonder that !, seeing Lee Tab curled
upon mossy bank, felt the same urge
Of spring in my heart"
Wen Chu looked nervously behind
him. The All-Wise alone knows how
fear for thy life, Ho Nan. The hon.
orable WI T'sa likes not interference
in his plans, and thou hast already
been beaten like a common thief for
thy presumption. But in famine time,
when our whole village was without
food. thy grandfather came to mine
with fat bags Of rice. His good deed is
recorded in the heart of the Budda,
and will help thee. Ho Nan. for the
Wen family forgets not its friends"
When four more days of intolerable
agony were ended, the coolies with
drew for the last time the caress of the
dripping whip and smiled with callous
JOY at the lacerated back of their
victim. Ho Nan feebly looked up at
the strip Of cobalt blue starred above
the compound like jeweled ribbon.
1T is like strip of sapphire satin
to bind her brow" he thought weakly
before he tainted.
The gutteral voice of a rickshaw
coolie reused him.
Il cannot take him." it was saying.
His blood will stain my cushions,
which I have just had recovered"
The clink Of copper cash sounded.
then Ho Nan felt soft cloth tunic
slipped over his head and together
Wen Chu and the now willing coolie
carried him out to the waiting rick
shaw. thence by circuitous route to
the little thatched house Of a friend.
All the soothing remedies of the
medicine man were used, and ere dawn
traced her bright fingers across the
sky. Ho Nan knew for the first time
in many nights the kingdom of Dream
less sleep.
Days passed on Ieaden feet, while
the mother Of Wen Chu annointed Ho
Mans wounds with salve of beetles
wings and the eyes of black bats. or
prepared him nourishing food. But
one droning evening as the sun de-
scended the western slope. a small
scroll of red paper fell into the window
Of the room. Ho Nan leaped from the
brick ''kang." but when he had
reached the tiny grating, only a ser.
wants blue tunic was disappearing
around the corner. Yet he pressed the
bit of paper to his cheek before he read:
Where Six Harmonies pagoda
Curls it's corners heavenward
And brightly laquered pailow
Arches DER the gateway high,
Nouns beneath guarded roof-tree
The pale jewel Of thy heart"
Ho Nan forgot his scarce-healed
back and its benumbing ache. New
power flowed into his veins. awakening
his dormant desire.
Wen Chu was amazed to find his
friend fully clothed and waiting for
him when he returned from the gold.
smiths shop.
She has written!' Ho Nan began,
in ill-disguised eagerness. Upon red
paper she has told me where she waits.
1t is the home of her cousin beyond
the second bridge"
Wen Chu was aghast that any
maiden should be so immodest as to
write a note to a man. Thou must,
Ho Nan. be cautious" |" he admonished.
''Mayhap it is WI T'sa who has
written thee, to get thee into another
trap"