The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-11-01
Chapter 10
Temu Again

INN SSSLlS 10 DC LnaI kim OF
l. person if she's the heroine
I've been hearing about all after
noon," Sam interpoSed.
What became of your broth
err" Peggy asked.
N"I suppose he's lost, too" said
Lynn ambiguously.
OF h ers interrupted them.
Lynn'S story had spread and en-
larged and became sensation
among the foreigners in Lanfou.
Added to This sensation had come
Tumors of international import.
A strange airplane was maneu-
vering about the territory illegal
~. One of the new low-wing
monoplaneS that was reported
capable of piercing the Strato-
sphere had dived down occasion
ally for observation. The first ru-
NOR made it a Japanese plane.
another, a Russian, a third, a
British, and fourth had it that
Chinese banditry had taken 10 the
air.
The Chinese government had
rushed in a couple of scouting
ships to investigate. Agents of
other nations were reported to
have chartered private Chinese
planes to do the same. Word came
that British India had made ar
rangementS to land aircraft on
the eastern border of Tibet if
necessary. There was talk of a
Mof1ammedan uprising that had
already begun in the north.
tits like dancing while Nero
fiddleS," cried little Mrs. Wallace,
shivering with happy excitement.
The clever man who was con-
Quoting the tourist party led Lynn
to the floor. Here's hoping some
thing will happen" he said
gloomily. docs my party thank
me for keeping them safe? They
do not, even the old maids"
Lynn laughed. you mean least
Of all the old maids"
1--we been tempted to hire river
pirates to board this vessel to
night"
Il daresay a little suffering and
hardship would do your tourists
good" Lynn agreed.
"And ruin me-"
A tap on the gentleman'S Shout
der turned Lynn over to one of
the Chinese aviators, the best
dancer on the boat, she soon dis
covered. He was very good
looking young man with large, in
telligent eyes, perfect teeth, and
serious smile. Lynn Surmised that
the American college girl had
done well in marrying him. She
thought of Temu DARN and his
master and asked abruptly, Have
you ever seen the Prince Of Shani
Lun?"
The young man shook his head.
mo, I haven't. My government
considers him a hard person to
deal with. I've met his official
representative, Temu DARN"
Lynn lost step and recovered
herself in a moment What do
you think of Temu Darin?"
Hes an ace flying man; has
the best luck in the air of any
body ever heard of. The fellows
say it's due to that horseshoe scar
on his cheek. Avistors are su-
perstitious Lot"
She smiled. ''Superstlt1on's like
magic. There's both white and
black" They danced a while in
silence.
The Chinese tailor had made
Lynn a gorgeous and striking
dress of blue penoy brocade on a
rose-leaf pink. She was the belle
of the party and on the arm Of
the best dancer on the boat. The
orchestra played a new and entic-
ing tango. And. yet, she felt
strangely lonely and restless in a
feminine way. Lonely enough to
cry for no reason at all.
Sudden Panic
Lad there been too much time
Ii for thinking since she arrived
in Lanfou? She could not dismiss
Temu DARN from the receSSes OF
her mind. He, seemingly, had
shown her the way to the region
of the higher dimensions of space,
and regardless of where she went
or where she stayed. she still felt
his disturbing presence at her
side.
Then. too, not once since she
had been in Asia had the dream
OF the lilac tree required to her.
She felt the need of its emotional
power which kept her true to
some inner guidance.
They had stopped near the rail-
ing as the music ceased. Sudden
", Lynn turned pale and caught
the railing for support. Then the
color flooded her face and her
chin went up. Mr.. Wallace had
stepped through the door from
the boat saloon he was, not alone.
'sTemu Darin!" breathed Lynn.
Tall and straight in a dinner JAG
ket and black tie, he did not look
about the assemblage, but with
his eyes straight ahead. followed
Mr.. Wallace across the deck to
meet the plant specialists wife.
The Chinese aviator hastily ex-
cdSed himself to Lynn and went
over to him. The twenty-odd
people on deck had grown quiet
and turned to stare discreetly.
Lynn could hear Mr.. Wallace
explaining in suppressed excite
ment. Temu DARN was an envoy
from the Prince Of Shani Lun;
he had come downriver in pri-
vate Junk on his way to Marking.
The host and one or two persons
Standing near were introduced.