The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1915-07-30
CHAPTER iv-contlnusd.

Lydia dinched, she knew not Why.
There was . sting to the words, de-
spite the languidness with which they
were uttered.
Risking than she suspected.
she said: He never considers the cost
OF q thing, Mrs. Brood, II It's beauty
appeals t. him." Mrs. Brood gave
her q quizzical, half-puzzled look.
you have only to look about you for
the proof. This one room represents
= fortune" The last was spoken has
tily.
How old are you, Miss Desmond?"
The question came abruptly.
:" am nineteen"
"You we're surprised 70 find me 50
young. Will 1t add to your surprise
H tell you that I am ten years older
than your"
1T doesn't seem credible"
Are you wondering why I tell you
my age"
YES" said Lydia. bluntly.
In order that you may realize that
am ten years wiser than you, ind
that You may not again make the mis-
take OF Understanding my intesll-
gence.1
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 . gesture. OF appeal. and
= quick. wistful smile took the place
of the imperious stare.
There! 1 am ! 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,"
It Was = Quafnt way Of putting It. and
her voice ri % genuinely appealing
that Ly4ia. after . moments hesita.
tfon. offended her hands. Mrs. Brood
grasped them in hers and gripped
them tightly. II think l should like to
know that you are my friend. Lydia.
Has It occurred to you that l am ut
terly without friends In this great city
Of yoursf ! have my husband. that
% ALL"
The girl could no more withstand
the electric charm Of the woman than
she could have fought on the sun
shine. She was b~ewildered. and com
pletely fascinated.
lists very good OF you." she
nurmured. her " eyes ~softenfng a.
they looked into the deep, velvety
ones that would not be denied. Even
- she wondered whether she could
. really like tins magnetic crea.
ture, she felt herself su~rrendering to
the spell Of her. "But perhaps you
will not like me when you know me-
BETTER"
Perhaps" said Mrs. Brood. calmly,
almost indineFently, and dismissed the
subject. .'What m amasing room!
One can almost feel the pr 3ence OF
The genii that created It at the wish
~ tho mar With the enchanted lamp.
~ ! rule. oriental rooms are abomi.
nations. but this-ah. this IL not m
oriental room after al. IT Il ! part
- the East itself-of the real East.
have at In emperors' houses out
there. my dear. and ! have slept in
he palaces % kings. / have seen
3ast such things = these. and I know
that they could not have been trans
ported 70 this room except BY hasie.
~ husban4 In magician"
These eams. from the palaces cf
1ings, Mr.. Brood" said Lydia enthu-
oiastically. Kings In the days when
1ings we're real. This rug"
Il know ~tntesFupted the other. my
hashand toId me the story. II must
have cost him ! fortune"
IT was worth : fortune" said Lydia.
= calculating squirt had come into
Mn. breeds eyes while she wa
speaking, n Lydia Il appeared - II
- were tryinS T. ax upon the value
r. tie wpnderful carpet.
- collector has offered him-hov
such! ~ hundred thousand dollars.
= - that n? -, how rich he must
49,
I - cellactor you rsfor to-"
4 wee rolerring e my husband"
80 M HzpoGs u~nAhashed. He y
lofr I'm III kofs
l1s1 u conceaI her an
nouysaeol e1Nk nek - American
efanos ~ \
NJ 49, ssid ne other.
1nts1oesl NV ~ own fortune.
nG Il Il n0coys ~ added.
TIT I Ai1lf 17H5lnf1r 1Sv IL IN look