The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1915-09-24
CHAPTER IV-contInued.

spite the languldneSs Win WHICH Luey
Yare uttered.
Rlsking more than she suspected,
ia said: HE never considers the cost
IA thing, Mrs. Brood, If its beauty
a,Oeals to him." Mrs. Brood gave
br a quizzical, half-puzzled look.
Tou have only to look about you for
lie proof, This one room represents
fortune" The last was spoken has
~.
"Eow old are you, Miss Desmond"
The question came abruptly.
Il am nineteen"
you we're surprised to find me so
pung. VIII 1t add to your surprise
II tell you that l am ten years older
dan you?"
1T doesn't seem credible"
"Are you wondering why tell you
aI age"
Yes" said Lydia, bluntly.
In order that you may realize that
am ten years wiser than you, and
hat you may not again make the mis-
take Of Understanding my inteln-
geuce."
The color faded from Lydia's face.
Shs grew cold from head to foot. In
puntarily she moved back a pace.
The next instant, to her unbounded
surprise, Mrs. Brood's hands were out
stretched in gesture of appeal, and
quick, wistful smile took the place
oithe imperlous 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"
Il was quaint way of putting it, and
her voice was so genuinely appealing
that Lydia, after a moments hesita-
lion, extended her hands. Mrs. Brood
gfasped them in hers and gripped
them tightly. q think should like to
NOV that you are my friend, Lydia.
has 1t occurred to you that l am ut
erly without friends in this great city
q yours? / have my husband, that
sail"
The girl could no more Withstand
iha electric charm of the woman than
sAs could have fought off the sun
s1lne. She was bewildered, and com
petely fascinated.
Rs-It's very good of you" she
aurmured, her own eyes softening as
saeS looked into the deep, velvety
ones that would not be denied. Even
S she wondered whether she could
ser really like this magnetic crea-
lafe, she felt herself surrendering to
lle spell Of her. But perhaps you
Wi not like me when you know me
better"
Perhaps" said Mrs. Brood, calmly,
snost indifferently, and dismissed the
aOlect. What an amazing room!
gae can almost feel the presence of
We genii that created it at the wish
y tne man with the enchanted lamp.
y rule, oriental rooms are abomi.
aasons, but this-ah, this is not an
aientai room after all. 1t is a part
me East itself-of the real East.
nave sat in emperors' houses out
SSre' my dear, and l have slept in
palaces Of kings. / have seen
~ such things as these, and know
s tney could not have been trans
el'sd 70 this room except by magic.
y husband is a magician"
Ihese came from the palaces of
lugs' Mrs Brood" said Lydia enthu.
aaslcaiiy Kings in the days when
eags we're real. This rug"
Know" Interrupted the other. MY
49, oand told me the story. 1t must
w cost him q fortune"
twas worth a fortune, said lydia.
IS calculating squirt had come into
- Brood's eyes while she was
EASING To Lydia 1t appeared as If
:. ~ !, were trying to fix upon the value
= Tie wonderful carpet.
"a, : collector has offered him-how
a.en a hundred thousand dollars.
~, nOt That 1t? All, how rich he must
!, Inc collector you refer to-"
~ /, was referring to my husband. /"
~ Mrs. Brood, unabashed. "He is
'sIs rich, isn't he?"
~. ssula managed to conceal her an.
ance, q think not, as American
sunes are rated"
u, doesn't matter" said the other.
sssly, 4 have my own fortune,
eia Is not my face" she added,
fDsts quick smile, NOW let us look
4, t' must see all these wonder
~ aiaga. We will not be missed.
i Is still half an hour till tea
~ y MY husband is now telling his
~ ~ mere is TO be told about me
!. I sud what l am, and how he came
me, Not, mind you, Low |