The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1915-08-27
CHAPTER ~.
In the Jade.Room.

IN IUO Jd0C-0SVWs
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 friend as well,
and treated her with a freedom that
was not extended to others.
A faint CLEAN Of establishment
llurked in the girls eyes as she stood
before the two men. Never, in her
experience. had there been such an ex'
hibition of friendliness 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 Broods 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 hear
rejoiced.
"Nonsensel" said Brood when she
announced that she was going II
change her gown. you never looked
so pretty. my dear. as you do at thi
moment. Come Just as you are, u
please me-"
"A tea party and an autopsy ar
yery much alike. Mr.. Brood" sal
she. "One can learn lot at ethel
Still, II you'd like to have Mrs. Broo
see me as I really am. I'll appear san
piumage."
Td like it," said he promptly.
am sure you viii like each othe
Lydia"
lam glad you did not say we woul
y admire each other" said she quaintl
. "You look very happy. Mr.. Brood
l. she went on. her eyes bright.
:. 81 believe | am happy" said he.
. "Then we shall all be happy" W;
:. her rejolnder.
!. She returned to the jade-room
. the upper floor. where she had BEE
= at work on the catalogue. Brood hi
e very large and valuable collectis
Of Jade. The jade-room, 90 called. vi
a little more than q large closet on Il
5 remarkable room which James Bro
= was pleased to call his hiding place
or ON occasion. his retreat" No o.
:. ventured into either Of these roor
!, except by special permission.
" Ranjab. his Indian servant, sic
!, IN an adjoining room, and 1t was VIII
: pered about the house that not ev
:, James Brood had viewed Its intcri
- This silent. unapproachable man fro
:, the mysterious heart of India, lock
A. his door when he entered the roo
and locked It when he came out.
one, not even the master. thought
- entering. Mr.. Dawes, in his cups
!. out of them. was responsible for
s. impression that the man kept dea'
e. serpents there. As a matter OF fs
= Ranjab was q peaceable fellow 9
:, desperately afraid of snakes.
- Lydia loved the feel Of the cold. 9
"A Jumps OF Jade. There were .
- pieces of porcelain Of extreme raj
:, and beauty as well. and several pr
- less bits Of cloisonne. but II was
- / Jade she loved. There were two
a. three hundred objects Of various ST
~ and color and aIl were what might
called museum pieces.
-. she had been at work for half
- hour or longer when noise in
- outer room attracted her attent
hIs She had the odd feeling that some
- was booking at her through the Z
- <Oor. and swiftly turned.
-