Coulee City dispatch. [volume] (Coulee City, Wash.) 19??-19??, 1939-12-14
Cast RnD We5T
BY TALBOT MUNDY
Q TALBOT MUkDY-WNU SERVICE

It's like a spur that dug too deep
and keeps on working inward. 1t
irritates abundant energy that has
no outlet. Add boredom to that,
and what have your"
cit sounds like an explosive mix
ture. Aren't you afraid you may
blow up? believe you're sorry for
yourself"
"Sorrow is not in me-" he retort-
ed. II don't know the emotion"
''Not even when you make mis-
takes?"
81 never make them. A mistake
is what a fool does to an opportunity.
ALI that I have lacked until now is
a real opportunity"
Mrs. Harding's voice came
through the guesthouse window
sharply impatient:
Lynn! Lynn! Where are your"
Cali right, Aunty. I'm coming"
Experienced tyranny knows count
less ways of compelling submission.
Aunty groaned on sumptuous bed:
''No, don't let me trouble you.
Don't let me be nuisance. I am
sure that the cares of a palace must
be more than enough. You must
try to forget my existence. Lynn
can look after me-"
Lynn's eyes met the Maharanee's
deep unto deep. The Maharanee
looked rather like New York East
side Jewess who has risen through
the ruck of immigration to the ranks
of affuence and prestige. Full-bos-
omed, matronly, kind, but aware
that the world is full of pitfalls:
aware that the world needs kindness,
but can misinterpret and cruelty re-
sent good intentions. She had the
genius, gentleness, iron. She had
also will that no Deborah Harding
could bully to obedience.
Lynn undid necklace from the
palace heirlooms, and handed it to
the Maharanee. She began to re-
move bracelet, but the complicat-
ed fastening prevented. She held
out her wrist.
"Please. I must get into some
clothes that Aunty thinks respecta-
BILE and stay with her."
The mild, plump Maharanee coun-
tered with surprising frmness:
Darling, we will expect you to
dinner. Yes, will take the jewelry
because it must be returned to the
Keeper of the Jewels. I will choose
two women from my own attend
ants who shall take care of Mrs.
Harding.
She almost founced out, giving
Aunty no time to reply. There was
silence until the drum-beat of the
horses hooves died away along the
drive in the direction of the palace.
Then Aunty spoke:
'This comes of making social con-
cessions. I never heard of such
audacity. Did you hear her speak
to me as if I were a servant or a
charity patient? Go and take off
that immodest costume. 1t suggests
fancy-dress ball in a bad house. +"
"Aunty, the doctor has promised
to return with something to relieve
the pain, so that you will get some
Sleep"
"Sleep! While you are doing what
in the palace? Do you think I am
deaf, blind? Do you think I have
forgotten your flirting on board ship
and in hotels until I blushed for
you? I heard you, through the win
dow, talking to Prince Rundhia."
"Aunty, think I hate you. 1t
makes me feel mean and migrate
full. l would so much rather love
YOU"
81 have left off hoping to be
loved" said Aunty. 81 demand
your respect. That may teach you
to respect yourself and so merit
the respect of your equals. Love?
Gratitude? Illusions! I have learned
that"
Lynn went and changed into black
silk Chinese pajamas. They would
remind Aunty of that fancy-dress
ball on board ship, when the penni-
less son of a Tirhoot planter had
made the pace so hot that Aunty