The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1915-04-24
CHAPTER v-continued.

CHAPTER Iv-continued.
Lydia fiinched, she knew not why.
There was sting to the words, de-
spite the languidness with which they
were uttered.
Risking more than she suspected,
she said: "He never considers the cost
of thing, Mrs. Brood, IL its beauty
appeals to him" Mrs. Brood gave
her a quizzical. half-puzzled look.
"You have only to look about you for
the proof. This one room represents
Q fortune" The last was spoken has
tily.,
How old are you, Miss Desmond?"
The question came abruptly.
81 am nineteen"
"You were surprised to find me 30
young. VIII 1t add to your surprise
n tell you that am ten years older
than your"
s1t doesn't seem credible"
Are you wondering why tell you
my ase!"
"Yes," said Lydia, bluntly.
'Tn order that you may realize that
I 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 Lydia's face.
She grew cold from head to foot In
voluntarily she moved back q pace.
The next instant, to her unbounded
surprise, Mrs. Brood's hands we're out
stretched in q gesture Of appeal, and
quick, wistful smile took the place
Of the imperious stare.
There! am nasty, horrid thing.
Forgive me. Come! Don't be stub
born. Shake hands With me and say
that you're sorry said what did"
II was q quaint way of putting II, and
her voice was 30 genuinely appealing
chat Lydia, after moments hesita-
ton. extended her hands. Mrs. Brood
grasped them In hers and gripped
them tightly. Il think I should like to
know that you are my friend, Lydia.
Has II occurred to you that am ut
terry without friends In this great city
Of yoursf have my husband. that
q AL"
The girl could no more withstand
the electric charm Of the woman than
she could have fought on the sun
shine. She was bewildered. and COM
pletsly fascinated.
"lts-It's- very good Of you" she
murmursd. her own eyes softening e.
they looked into the deep. velvety
ones that would not be denied. Even
~ she wondered whether she could
evsr really Ike tins magnetic crea-
turs. she felt herself surfsndering to
the spell of her. But perhaps you
win not Ike me when you know me
better"
~Perhaps," said Mrs. Brood. calmly.
almost indifferently. and dismissed the
subject. What an amazing rooml
One can almost feel the presence Of
the genii that created 1t at the wish
Of the man with the enchanted lamp.
A . rule. oriental rooms are abomi-
nations, but this-ah. this IL not an
oriental room after all. II Ii q part
of the East itself-of the real East.
\ have sat In emperors' houses out
there. my dear, and l have slept IN
the PALACES Of kings. I have seen
3ust such things ~ these. and know
that they could not have been trans
ported to this room except by magic.
Ny husband 10 magician"
these came from the palaces of
kings. Mrs. Brood" said Lydia enthu-
siastically. Kings In the days when
kings were real. This rug"
Tknow. !" interrupted the other. my
husband told me the story. It must
have cost him q fortune"
1T was worth . fortune. |" said Lydia.
a calculating squint had come into
Mn. Brood's eyes while she was
speaking. To Lydia It appeared a Il
she were trying 10 AZ upon the value
q the wonderful carpet
"A collector has offered him-how
muchf A hundred thousand dollars
b pot that NJ All. how rich he must
boi~
The collector you refer to-"
= was referring to my husband. "
said Mrs. Brood. unabashed. He ID
very rich. isn't hei"
Lydia managed 10 conceal her an
noyance. Il think not ~ American
fortunes ara rated"
1T doesn't matter" said the Other,
carelessly. Il have my own fortune.
And It 10 not my face" she added.
with : quick smile. Now let us look
further. must see all these wonder.
ful things. We viii not be missed.
and Il u still half an hour till tea.
timeL NY husband 10 now telling his
son all there is to be told about me-
who and what am. and how he came
to marry me. Not, mind you. how