The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1915-04-15
CHAPTER Iv-contlnued.

lnere was sung TO the WOr0S, ue-
spite the languidness with which they
were uttered.
Risking more than she suspected,
she said: "iIe never considers the cost
of a thing. Mrs. Brood, II It's beauty
appeals to him." Mrs. Brood gave
her squizzical. half-puzzled look.
"You have only to look about you for
the proof. This one room represents
a fortune" The last was spoken has
tiiy.
How old are you. Miss Desmond?"
The question came abruptly.
II am nineteen"
you were surprised to find me so
young. viii 1t add to your surprise
II tell you that ! am ten years older
than your"
1T doesn't seem credible"
Are you wondering why tell you
my age3"
YES" said Lydia, bluntly.
In order that you may realize that
] am ten years wiser than you, and
that you may not again make the mis-
take OF Understanding my intelli-
.gence."
The color faded from Lydias face
She grew cold from head to foot. In
voluntarily she moved back a pace.
The next instant, to her unbounded
surprise. Mrs. Brood's hands we're out
stretched in q gesture of appeal. and
a quick. wistful smile took the place
of the lmperious stare.
There! ! am a nasty. horrid thing.
Forgive me. Come! Don't be stub
born. Shake hands with me and say
that you're sorry l said what l did"
II was quaint way of putting II. and
her voice was so genuinely appealing
that Lydia, after a moments hesita.
tion. extended her hands. Mrs. Brood
.grasped them In hers and gripped
them tightly. 81 think should like to
know that you are my friend, Lydia
Has 1t occurred to you that am ut
terly without friends in this great city
of yoursf | have my husband. that
fs ALL"
The girl could no more Withstand
the electric charm of the woman than
she could have fought off the sun
shine. She was bewildered. and com
pletely fascinated.
"Its-It's very good of YOU" she
murmured. her own eyes softening as
they looked into the deep, velvety
ones that would not be denied. Ever
as she wondered whether she coult
ever really like this magnetic crea
ture. she felt herself surrendering t.
the spell Of her. But perhaps 20,
will not like me when you know m,
better"
Perhaps" said Mrs. Brood. calmly
almost indifferently. and dismissed tn,
subject. What an amazing room
One can almost feel the presence o
the genii that created II at the wisi
OF the man with the enchanted lamp
As O rule. oriental rooms are abomi
nations, but this-ah. this Is not al
oriental room after all. II Is a par
of the East itself--of the real East
have sat In emperors' houses ou
there. my dear. and have slept II
the palaces of kings. have seeI
Just such things as these. and know
that they could not have been trans
ported to this room except by magic
My husband is magician"
These came from the palaces o
kings. Mrs. Brood" said Lydia enthu
siastically. Kings In the days whei
kings were real. This rug"
81 know" interrupted the other. m,
husband told me the story. II mus
have cost him fortune"
1T was worth fortune" said Lydia
A calculating squint had come int
Mrs. Brood's eyes while she wa
speaking. To Lydia II appeared as 1
she we're trying to fix upon the valu
OF the wonderful carpet.
"A collector has offered him-ho,
much? hundred thousand dollars
is not that It? All, how rich he mus
bel"
THE collector you refer to-"
81 was referring to my husband,
said Mrs. Brood. unabashed. HE |
very rich. isn't he?"
Lydia managed to conceal her al
noyance. Il think not. as America
fortunes are rated"
1T doesn't matter" said the othel
carslessly. Il have my own fortun,
And II is not my face" she added
with quick smile. Now let us loo
further. l must see all these wonde
full things. We will not be misse,
ard 1t b still half an hour till tel
tims. ny husband Is now telling hi
son all thsrs is to be told about me-
VINO and what l am. and how ne cam
e parry me. Not mind you. how