Evening star., 1935-04-07

asking but pale jewel in exchange?"
The houseboy was amused at these
fine words. and departed with the
message. Ho Nan was Immediately
conducted into the women's court
yard. In spite of the tumultuous beat
ing of his heart, he bent to the floor
before the two women who received
him. spreading at their feet a wealth
Of embroidered wonders.
Although Lee Tah seemed to exam
inc his wares, her eyes held look of
tenderness which was for him alone.
Little Lotus Bud" he whispered.
under cover of flaming satin pea
cock. Il have come to theer' And
from the loose fold of his tunic he
drew forth the jade parrakeet.
A deep look passed between them.
then the other maiden. reaching forth
her hand to examine the cage. laughed
softly. 20 Peddler. methinks thy bird
is lonely Perchance she sigheth for
her mater Then jumping up, she ran
to the goldfish pool at the end of the
courtyard. out of earshot.
Lee Tah's pale cheeks were a soft
rose as she bent over the plaques be-
fore her. and her thoughts were not of
needlework, nor her eyes upon the ex-
quisite peacock, lifelike upon its
background of satin.
"Could'st thou leave thy life of
luxury, Lee Tah: leave thy Jewels
and thy servants and do what no girl
has ever done before - come away
with the lover Of thy hearty Ho Man
was whispering low.
Lee Tabs perfect almond eyes were
shining. but she did not speak. A
thousand,years Of inhibitions numbed
her tongue.
He has naught to offer but the toll
of his hands and the worship in his
heart" begged her lover.
That is more precious than silver
or jade. Awakener of Dreams" whis-
pered the girl softly.
Then Ho Nan spoke quickly. folding
his silks as he warily watched the
doors.
I'VE must plan at once then, for
every second here is hazardous. At
dawn a foreign boat leaves the river
for land far across the Yellow Water.
Once aboard it we shall be safe,
for its people. though barbarians, are
kind of heart. Wilt thou care to come
with me, Sweet Moon of Evening""
1T is like the ancient stories of
the Gods" replied Lee Tah, her hand
clutching her heart.
At evening in the servants quarter,
the house servants were assembled in
Toss-legged, chattering gr roup.
Where is Lee Tah, she who was
sent here for punishment" asked the
Number One Boy. who was person
of importance.
"She gaxed too long at embroi-
deries," answered Lee Tah's amah. Il
have just embarked her upon the
sampan of Sleep"
Yet her frightened mistress heard
both question and answer as, clad in
the amah's tunic. she slipped past a
snoring gateman into the street of
the Six Harmonies Pagoda. Under its
curling caves eager hands met, eager
lips whispered hurried words of love.
Then. fearful of ever present danger,
they fed hand in hand to where a
cabined sampan swayed in the shadow
Of the river bank. The tall coolies
uttered low grunt as they sprang
aboard and pushed out noiselessly into
the stream. Lee Tah sank quivering
to the floor of the tiny cabin.
I'VE are safer she sobbed exul-
tantly.
Ho Nan did not answer. Whose had
been those hurrying footsteps behind
him in the quiet of the narrow street?
Well did he know that were they dis
covered, death would be his fate. and
far worse than death, hers: that a
thousand watching spies might have
observed their fight. He watched his
coolie pole his way in and out among
the smaller river craft. The night
seemed full of ominous peril. strange
sounds. chattering voices. After an
eternity of time they reached the
swift currents of the open river, and he
breathed deep sigh of relief