6
THE PEN
lA very softly, “it is like living in
tlie skies.”
“It is my Paradise,” answered
Ilok-su-inin.” Behold niy most eqiii-
site possession.” Parting the curtains
as he s})oke, lie revealed a small
white and gold altar on which repos
ed in solitary splendor a huge jar,
fretted with the marks of centuries.
The old man clutched Nun Li by the
shoulder. “Sealed within this jar is
Life’s most ancient gift. Memory.
It is bound within strange perfume,
tiie dust of years, and sliall remain
-so until the day comes when I sliall
release it.” “My grandson, think
what a wealth shall be mine!” “All
the secrets of the world from time
immemorial shall jiass before my
eyes, and the splendors and beauties
of far countries shall be known to
me. I shall hold the key to know
ledge. It shall he mine to unlock the
doors of the ))ast ages to the world.”
Nun Li walked softly through the
fragrant garden in the cool stillness
of the evening. The crushed breath
of a myriad of flowers, like old wine
made him reckless. A carved dragon
fountain in its misty whiteness loom
ed before him, and he made his way
to the stone bench beside the dark
])ool. Ilok-su-niin’s garden was very
beautiful tonight, Nun I,i thought.
'J’he yellow; moon, which shimmered
over head, and the full sweet notes
of the nigiitingale’s song wounded
him with beauty. From somewhere in
the distance came the faint sing
song of the celestial chanters. Deep
in reverie, Nun I.i was oblivious to
all but the enchanted garden, when
the sharp, clear tinkling of a silver-
throated bell brouirht him, startled,
to his feet. “Tea,’’ he thought, runn
ing in answer to his summons.
Ilok-su-min was enjoying his tea
in the Scarlet Room and offered his
grandson a cup of the poppy-scent
ed beverage as the boy entered.
“Tiiis is the supreme nectar. Nun
I.i” he said. “I partake of it every
night before retiring. It brings hap
piness through forgetfulness. Drink
with me.”
Nun Li lifted the steaming cup to
his lips and drank deep. A pleasant
warmth stole over him, and his round
cheeks glowed. Life seemed very
good to Nun Li. The gentle listness
of the air was making Ilok-su-min
drowsy and his head nodded. But
Nun Li’s ))erceptions seemed doubly
clear. He finished the poppy-scent
ed tea, while fantastic thoughts
crammed through his consciousness.
Aghast at their audacity, he looked
slyly at his grandfather. Hok-su-min
lay before him, asleep. Within his
sleeve was the key to the Blue Room
which held the jirccious jade jar.
1 he old man had said that it would
remain there unsealed until the gol
den hour of his life. “But, when
would that be,” Nun Li asked him
self. His grandfather was an old man
and had not long to live. Surely he
must have experienced his perfect
hour and either forgotten or not re
cognized it. He would die soon, per
haps, that very night in his sleep and
then the secrets of the ancient jar
might be lost forever! Nun Li had
made up his mind. He drew the key
from Hok-su-min’s sleeve. The next
moment he was running through the
carpeted halls. Everything in the pal
ace was hushed.
He reached the black and gold
door and after fumbling, inserted the
in the lock. I he door swung si
lently back, and he entered the blue
draped room. Its only light, the yol-
low moonbeams streaming through
the window blended well with the
soft blue sheen of the hangings. Nun
I-i glided across the room to the lit
tle white and gold altar and stood