The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-11-04
Chapfer 81
Battle Of Wills

. fresh handkerchief.
Lynn pushed back the hair
from her forehead. She felt as dis
Aeveled as If she'd been in a foot
ball scrimmage - and something
else. She felt a kind of despair
that he could come out of the
fracas calm and cool and appar-
emily unmoved when she had
been so acutely aware of him
his touch, the pressure of his
arms.
"Safe even from yourself" she
murmured.
His eyes flashed at that and she
caught a glimpse of passion
quickly repressed. II think" he
answered. a little smile about his
lips, shat l shall have to invent
machine for shaking you when
you need it"
She laughed little at his in
direct tribute to herself, sat back,
and asked maliciously, did your
men make a pretty good haul on
the boat now that you have gone
IN for piracy?"
Except for you," he remarked,
lighting a cigarette after she had
refused one. "all valuables will be
returned" He sat down. II have
made many people happy. The
tour manager has secured his
wish and his clients their excite
ment without any consequences.
The Wallaces have been given an
invitation to visit Shani Lun next
spring. And troupe of Chinese
actors have received the best pay
Of their lives for putting on a play
most unusual for the Chinese the
atre."
$50, that explains the dwarf
and his friends and the sampan
you signalledI How simple and
trusting | am, Temu! l never ex-
pect intrigue until it is too late.
think all around a subject and
then miss the point. I seem to
have no defenSes against cupid
ity."
He grinned. "And, yet, when /
tell you the truth about your des-
tiny and disbelieve me. Oh, well, .
he rose, you make life dramatic.
You enlarge every experience
with imagination. Living with you
would never be dull" He came
and sat down on the arm Of her
chair. She rested her head on his
hand on the back of the chair and
smiled up at him.
SIN at least grateful for these
kind words"
what more do you want?" he
demanded. Another conquest? A
chance to say yes and no to yet
one more MANI"
Perhaps" she agreed. "Are
you afraid?"
He bent towards her. mo. you
don't, Tara Lynn. There is no
alternative for you. I can't tell
you these things; l must take you
to Delun and prove them. You be-
long to the Prince, and" he added
in a deeper, slower tone, ito him
alone. Sherlock says that in
heaven you two are one spirit"
Temptation
CHE drew away a little fright
- ened. dismayed before his per-
siStence and his firm intention. He
could sit here beside her. an arm
under her head and say these
things. Then she noticed a faint
trembling in the hand that rested
on his knee. She raised her head
and steeled herself to express the
thought that was in her mind.
'Temu, when you talk to me
about the Prince. I have the most
wicked temptations"
He gazed at her for a moment,
color mounting his cheeks to his
temples. Then he looked down at
her fingers picking nervously at
her handkerchief.
Naturally" he said slowly, "a
goddess is subject to stronger
temptations than an ordinary wo-
man. You happen to be in queer
state of mind, Tara Lynn. ! am
not deceived. You are trying to
prove your strength and my
weakness. Otherwise. you are in
credibly innocent. And remain
incorruptibIe." He rose.
Keep on like this. Temu," she
said gently, her eyes following
him, ''if you wish me to fall in
love with you instead Of your
Prince"
He smiled slightly. ''You don't
know what it is to fall in love.
You've never had the expert
ence."
She agreed. But I was never
exposed to your technique before.
I think / should like to learn"
In the bedroom, Lynn found q
small bag containing clothing for
her that must have been brought
from the caravan camp for this
occasion. She took out what she
wanted, and dressing, put on g
soft, blue-gay frock that fitted her
affectionately a md fatteringly
and accentuated the blue of her
eyes.
When she returned Temu had
changed to his army uniform. His
glance slid over her with quick
approval. He was on his way out
Eat some breakfast" he said
@and take a nap. I'll try to gel
back by noon" He let himself Out
by the living room door and
locked it behind him. Lynn drank
a cup Of tea and prowled about
Chan watched her try the kitchen
door. They smiled at each other
She knew it was useless to ask
his aid.
-O@ rr"-