The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1915-09-17

f7eF ATTENTION.
features. For a moment the girl stared
at the watcher and then advanced to
the door.
"Who is it?" she inquired, peering.
A low, husky voice replied, with
suggestion of laughter in the tones.
q am exploring the house"
Lydia came forward at once, "Oh,
it is Mrs. Brood. l beg your pardon
Shall | switch on the lights?"
"You are Lydia?"
Eyes, Mrs. Brood"
81 have been prowling everywhere.
Your good mother deserted me when
my maid arrived with Ranjab a short
time ago. Isn't this the dreadful blue
beard room? Shall lose my head II
am discovered by the ogre?"
The girl felt the spell stealing over
her. The low voice Of the woman in
the shadow was like sensuous ca
ress. She experienced a sudden long
ing to be closer to the speaker. to
listen for the very intake of her
breath.
"You have already been discovered
by the ogre, Mrs Brood" said Lydia,
gayly, land your head appears to be
quite safe"
THANK you," rather CURLY, as If re-
pelling familiarity. 1t was like a dash
of cold water to Lydia's spirits. You
may turn on the lights. / should like
to see you, Miss Desmond"
The girl crossed the room, passing
close to the stranger in the house.
The fragrance of perfume hitherto
unknown to her separated itself from
the odor of sandalwood that always
filled the room; it was soft, delicate,
refreshing. 1t was like breath of
cool, sweet air filtering into close,
stuffy room. One could not help draw.
ing in a long. full breath, as If the
lungs demanded its reVivifying quail
ties.
A soft, red glow began to fill the
room as Lydia pulled the cord near
the door. AS the light grew brighter
and brighter the eyes of the stranger
swept the room with undisguised won
der in their depths.
How extraordinary she muir
INJURED, and then turned swiftly toward
the girl. where does it come from ?
can see no lights. And see! There
are no shadows, not even beneath the
table yonder lit is uncanny--but.
oh, how lovely!"
Lydia was staring at her with wide
open eyes, frankly astonished. The
eager, excited CLEAN vanished from
Mrs. Brood's lovely eyes. They mar
rowed ever so slightly.
, why do you stare at me?" she de
manded.
Il expected" began Lydia, and
stopped in pretty confusion.
81 see. You expected middle-agec
: lady, ai-e2 And why, pray, should
James Brood marry middle.ageC
persona"
: 1-I don't know, I'm sorry If
= have offended you"
Mrs, Blood smiled, gay, pleased
II little smile that revealed her small
y even teeth. "You haven't OFFENDED
y me, my DEAR" she said. You offen'
u my husband by thinking so Ill Of hin
c that's all" She took the girl in fror
, head to foot with critical eyes. H
|, said you were very pretty and yer,
u lovabIe. You are lovely No on
wants to be pretty Yes, you are jus
y what | expected"
" Lydia was the taller OF the tW
y women: a matter of two inches Pc
e. haps. and yet she had the curious fee
lie ing that she was looking upward a
Or she gazed into the others eyes.
es was the way Mrs. Brood held hersei
De Sending a swift glance around III
room, she went on: MY husband d.
IN lights in having beautiful things abol
ne him He doesn't like the ugly thing
n of this world"
ne Globe CONTINUED