The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1915-04-17
CHAPTER ~.
In the Jade-Room,

Lydia met Brood and Frederic at
the top of the stairs. She had re-
ceived the message through Jones
and was on her way to dress for tea
The master of the house greeted her
most cordially. He was very fond OF
this lovely, gentle daughter Of John
Desmond. Into their association had
stolen an intimate note that softened
the cold reserve Of the man to q
marked degree. His chief Joy was to
chat with her over the work he was
doing and to listen to her frank, hon
est opinions. She regarded herself
as his secretary-or his amanuensis.
in the strict sense Of speaking-but ne
considered her to be a friend as well,
and treated her with a freedom that
was not extended to others.
A faint CLEAN Of establishment
lurked in the girls eyes as she stood
before the two men Never, in her
experience, had there been such an ex-
hibition Of fTiendliness between father
and son. A curious throb Of Joy
rushed up from her heart and lodged
in her throat For the first time she
found it difficult to respond with COM
posture to Brood's lively comments.
Tears were lying close to the surface
Of her eyes-tears Of relief and graft
tUde. The buoyant expression in Fred
cries told a new story. Her heart
reioiced.
''NonsenseI" said Brood when she
announced that she was going to
change her gown. You never looked
so pretty, my dear, as you do at this
moment. Come just as you are, to
please me-"
"a tea party and an autopsy are
very much alike, Mr.. Brood" said
she. zone can learn a lot at either
Still, if you'd like to have Mrs. Brood
see me as I really am, I'll appear sans
plumage."
I'D like it." said he promptly. 81
am sure you will like each other,
Lydia"
81 am glad you did not say we would
admire each other" said she quantity.
You look very happy, Mr.. Brood"
she went on, her eyes bright.
'I believe I am happy" said he.
''Then we shall all be happy" was
her rejoinder.
She returned to the jade-room on
the upper floor, where she had been
at work on the catalogue Brood had
a very large and valuable collection
of jade. The jaderoom, so called, was
little more than large closet of the
remarkable room which James Brood
was pleased to call his hiding place"
OF on occasion, his retreat" No one
ventured into either of these rooms
except by special permission
Ranjab, his Indian servant, slept
in an adjoining room, and it was whis-
pered about the house that not even
James Brood had viewed its interior.
This silent, unapproachabIe man from
the mysterious heart Of India, locked
his door when he entered the room
and locked it when he came out. No
one, not even the master, thought Of
entering. Mr.. Dawes, in his cups or
out Of them, was responsible for the
impression that the man kept deadly
serpents there. As a matter OF fact,
Ranjab was a peaceabIe fellow and
desperately afraid Of snakes.
Lydia loved the feel Of the cold, oily
Jumps Of jade. There were a few
pieces Of porcelain of extreme rarity
and beauty as well, and several price
less bits OF cIoisonne, but 1t was the
Jade she loved There were two or
three hundred objects Of various sizes
and color and all were what might be
called museum pieces
She had been at work for half an
hour or longer when q noise in the
outer room attracted her attention
She had the odd feeling that some one
was looking at her through the open
door, and swiftly turned
Except when occupied by Brood the