The Key West citizen., 1940-11-20

dressed nGI QdlE IN LQG O01Q6SS
fashion while another stood ready
with a gown Of heavy, yellow
satin covered with a long, blue,
sleeveless mantle embroidered In
gold.
She asked at last distractedly
for Chin PAX. He appeared as If
he had been waiting long for her
summons.
"Are you to 60 with me to
Delun?" she asked.
eyes, Missile"
"And if ! should wish to sum-
mon Temu DARN, could you have
him brought to the capital swift
Iy?"
"Yes, Missile, I arrange"
The serving woman bowed and
giggled. One laid a white cape
on Lynn's shoulders, fixed a lily
IN her hair, a gold disk on her
chin and another between her
eyes. Someone placed an apple
in her hand.
She went down to the court
yard where a state automobile
stood waiting, yellow silk curtains
at the windows of the long,
cream-colored limousine.
She asked Chin PAX about the
apple.
"a lady-in-waiting take it when
you pass the orchid door," he ex-
planned gravely.
It didn't make sense to Lynn.
Orchid doorl To match my pa
jamas?"
He looked bewildered and
Lynn laughed. She knew she was
being silly. But all this robing
and ceremony was getting on her
nerves. And what was ahead Of
her? Probably more deadly cere-
mony. Then struggle against
Dick. Could she curb his greed
for gold? Could she do the thing
she wished to do?
And she remembered Temu
Darin's query: ''Can you imagine
what it means to be loved by a
million people with never a
thought Of criticism?"
Strange journey
THE recollection thrilled and
L comforted her. Her chin went
up. She put her hand to the
charm box at her throat; it had
brought her through so far.
She rode along in grandeur on a
highway lined with merry-mak-
erS the whole length of its sixty
miles. There appeared no mourn
ing for SherdOcks death or for
the Princes overthrow.
They climbed steadily towards
the mountains. The climate and
the scenery enchanted Lynn. Yet,
under it all, she felt strange de-
preston as if, against all logic,
something told her she had done
wrong In opposing her will to
Temu'S.
As they approached the capital
city, the road cut across a wide
plain dotted with countless Mon
gol tents. At the gate-tower the
driver slowed the car to a crawl.
FirecrackerS exploded. Confucian
music walled and keened. Sturdy
Mongols cracked their voices
hailing the approach Of the God
deSS.
Footmen opened the car. door.
A tall Chinese lady with two re-
markably long f1ngernails on her
left hand greeted Lynn.
''The Princess MotherI How
does she feel about this?" won
dered Lynn. The woman's eyes
met hers searchingly.
The Princess Mother conducted
her dow the long reception room
to a pa-Sage where a Iady-in-
waiting Z ok the apple which
Lynn had c3Tied so faithfully.
The orch51 door, whatever
that means" tf1ught Lynn, over
come for the mement by an ap-
prehenSive excitement, half pain,
half pleasure. She stepped inside
and stood alone trembling In a
cool, dim, incense-fillEd room.
Somewhere a rich vo.ce chant
ed the low and haunting melody
of an ancient song. An orchestra
OF violinS and great guitars,
played in the courtyard bs low
the windows. As the music did.
she heard the rustic Of silk, an
through the shadows Of the room,
Sc saw . tall form garbed In q
Chinese costume Of rich, dark silk
come towards her with the stride
Of man.
"Temul" she gaSped, and warm
blood leaped to her face.
He bowed, his eyes blank, in
scrutable, recalling to her mind
that first encounter with him in
the house In Pal Shu where a
sense of his strange, personal
power had so disturbed her.
Chin Pax said you would be
wanting me-"
But not nowl" she cried. %Lat-
er, after have seen Dick and
know where ] stand"
4 know where you stand. The
power here is yours, not your
brothers."
Then Chin PAX has not be-
trayed us?"
Cnln Fax Is faithful TO his
gods" He stepped closer. HYou
have made the Princess Mother
very happy by coming in Chinese
garb." He Scrutinized her face,
her hands, her hair, her tall and
graceful form. Though puzzled.
she stood proudly before him.
{ DO I pass inspection?" she
asked ironically.
The Prince wiz be pleased, I
am sure"
She turned on him swiftly.
What do you mean?"
here was no revolution,
Lynn Your brother is on his way
to Russia under guard. When he
and the Duke Of Sachto arrived
at Dorchi, they were captured