The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1940-03-07

WHO enuureS only SIX eyes TO watch
what she does, and six ears to hear
what she says. Lynn could not hear
what Prince Rundhia was saying to
the doctor, but he was doing all the
talking and she felt fairly sure that
he was talking about her.
He strobe toward her looking as
deadly self-assured as Mephistophe-
les. Lynn fell on guard.
"You win," said Rundhia.
swim what?"
Whatever you came for"
Il came for good time"
"Uh-uh? Been having it?"
Eyes. Your aunt has been con-
Quoting me into Indian mysteries"
I'VE have none," said Rundhia.
I'VE are an open book. We are
three hundred and fifty million peo-
pie, every single one of whom car
ries his heart on his sleeve. You
are the mystery. Have you heart?
Where is it?"
Lynn laughed: SIS that any of
your business?"
"Of course it's my business"
"Why?"
Because you are the most beauti-
ful mystery ! have ever seen. Ev-
cry mystery is an invitation to find
the right key"
"Oh, are you q detective?"
"You bet I am. I've detected
your cruelty. You intend to keep
me guessing. I can't endure it."
Lynn laughed again: "Should I
pity your"
mo. Pity and compassion are
the twin curses of India. We're so
compassionate to one another that
we hate one another for not being
even more miserable than we are,
so as to be able to mop up greater
floods of useless pity"
$50 you're an iron mani"
"No-nor a jellyfish. I have
leathery disposition, due to talents
that have dried from lack of use."
"Oh, are you lazy?"
mo. Iron has entered into me.
It's like a spur that dug too deep
and keeps on working inward. It
irritates abundant energy that has
no outlet. Add boredom to that,
and what have your"
'It 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. "I don't know the emotion"
mot even when you make mis-
takes?"
II never make them. A mistake
is what a fool does to an opportunity.
All that have lacked until now is
real opportunity"
Mrs. Harding's voice came
through the guesthouse window
sharply impatient:
'Lynnl Lynn! Where are your"
"An 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 a 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 a New York East
side JeWess who has risen through
the ruck of immigration to the ranks
of afiuence 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 a bracelet, but the complicat-
ed fastening prevented. She held
out her wrist.
please. ! 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, l will take the jewelry
because it must be returned to the
Keeper of the Jewels. / will choose
two women from my own attend
ants who shall take care of Mrs.
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
irive in the direction of the palace.
Then Aunty spoke:
"This comes of making social con-
cessions. I never heard of such
Did you hear her speak
70 me as if I were a servant or a
charity patient? Go and take off
hat immodest costume. 1t suggests
a fancy-dress ball in a bad house."
"Aunty, the doctor has promised
% return with something to relieve
he pain, so that you will get some
sleep"
"Sleep! While you are doing what
n the palace? Do you think | am
leaf, blind? Do you think ! have
orgotten your flirting on board ship
and in hotels until I .blushed for
YOU? / heard you, through the win
low, talking to Prince Rundhia."
"Aunty, think | hate you. 1t |
:. x,aa =l