The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1915-04-22
CHAPTER Iv-continued.

Lydia fiinched, she knew not why
There was a 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, II its beauty
appeals to him" Mrs. Brood gave
her a quizzical, half-puzzled look
you have only to look about you fol
the proof This one room represents
a fortune" The last was spoken has
tily.
How old are you. Miss Desmond?
The question came abruptly.
Il am nineteen"
'You were surprised to find me SC
young. VIII It add to your surprise
II I tell you that | am ten years older
than youf"
'It doesn't seem credible"
Are you wondering why l tell you
my agef"
"Yes," said Lydia, bluntly.
I'm order that you may realize that
| 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 Lydias face
She grew cold from head to foot In
voluntarily she moved back a pace
The next instant, to her unbounded
surprise, Mrs. Broods hands we're out
stretched n a gesture of appeal, and
a quick, Wistful smile took the place
OF the imperious stare.
There! | am a 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 quaint way of putting 1t, and
her voice was so genuinely appealing
that Lydia, after a moments hesita
tion. extended her hands. Mrs. Brood
grasped them in hers and gripped
them tightly. 81 think should like tc
know that you are my friend, Lydia
Has ii occurred to you that / am ut
terly without friends in this great city
Of yours? have my husband, that
n all"
The girl could no more withstand
the electric charm of the woman than
she could have fought of the sun
shine. She was bewildered, and com
pletely fascinated
'It's-lts very good OF you," she
murmured. her own eyes softening as
they looked into the deep, yelvety
ones that would not be denied. Even
as she wondered whether she could
ever really like this magnetic crea
ture. she felt herself surrendering ia
the spell Of her. But perhaps you
will not like me when you know me
better"
Perhaps" said Mrs. Brood, calmly
almost indlfferently, and dismissed the
subject. what an amazing ROOM
One can almost feel the presence Of
the genii that created it at the wish
OF the man with the enchanted lamp
AS a rule, oriental rooms are abomi
nations, but this-ah, this is not an
oriental room after all. It is a part
on the East itself-of the real East
have sat in emperors' houses out
there, my dear, and | have slept II
the palaces Of kings. | have seer
Just such things as these, and know
40 ha NvsaV q
ported to this room except by magic
My husband is a magician"
THESE came from the palaces oi
kings, Mrs. Brood" said Lydia enthu
siastically. Kings in the days wher
kings we're real This rug"
Tknow," interrupted the other my
husband told me the story. 1t mus
have cost him fortune"
1T was worth a fortune, said Lydia
A calculating squint had come intC
Mrs. Brood's eyes while she wai
speaking. To Lydia 1t appeared as Il
she were trying to fix upon the value
OF the wonderful carpet.
"a collector has offered him-hov
much? A hundred thousand dollars
is not that it? All, how rich he mus
bel"
"The collector you refer to"
Il was referring to my husband,
said Mrs Brood. unabashed. "He II
very rich, isn't he?"
Lydia managed to conceal her an
noyance 81 think not, as American
fortunes are rated"
1T doesn't matter" said the other
carelessly. 81 have my own fortune
And It is not my face" she added
with quick smile. Now let US lool
further. must see all these wonder
ful things. We will not be missed
and 1t is still half an hour till tea
time. My husband is now telling hi
son oil there is to be told about me
who and what am, and how he cam
TO marry me. Not, mind you, how