The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1915-08-27


features. For moment the girl stared
at the watcher and then advanced 70
the door.
"Who is it?" she inquired, peering.
A low, husky voice replied, with
suggestion OF laughter in the tones.
81 am exploring the house"
Lydia came forward at once. on
It is Mrs. Brood. beg your pardon.
Shall switch on the lightsf"
"You are Lydia?"
Eyes, Mrs. Brood"
80 have been proving everywhere
Your good mother deserted me when
my maid arrived with Ranjab a short
time ago. Isn't this the dreadful blue
beard room? Shall lose my head II
am discovered by the ogre?"
The girl felt the spell stealing over
her. The low voice of the woman In
the shadow was like sensuous ca
ress She experienced sudden long
ing to be closer to the speaker, 70
listen for the very intake OF her
breath.
"You have already been discovered
by the ogre, Mrs. Brood" said LYDIA
gayly, "and your head appears TO %
quite safe"
THANK you," rather CURLY. az II re-
pelling familiarity. 1t was like dasn
Of cold water to Lydia's spirits. You
may turn on the lights. should ike
to see you, Miss Desmond"
The girl crossed the room. passing
close to the stranger In the house
, The fragrance Of q perfume hitherto
unknown to her separated itself from
, the odor of sandalwood that always
, filled the room: II was soft, delicate.
refreshing. 1t was like breath Of
} cool. sweet air altering into close
stuffy room. One could not help draw'
!. ing in . long. full breath. 81 IL tns
lungs demanded its reviyifying ouais
Q ties.
A soft. red glow began TO Ill the
I room as Lydia pulled the cord neal
!, the door. As the light grew brighfe'
and brighter the eyes Of the strange'
d swept the room with undisguised won
:. der in their depths.
I" How extraordinary" she mus
INJURED, and then turned swiftly towar'
the girl. Where does II come from
!. I can see no lights. And seel Their
are no shadows, not even beneath tn
: table yonder. lit is uncanny-ou'
: oh, how loyelyl"
= Lydia was staring at her with wide
open eyes. frankly astonished. Tn
!. eager, excited CLEAN vanished froE
J, Mrs. Brood's lovely eyes. They nai
= rowed ever SO slightly.
- "why do you stare at me-" sna a
- handed.
- 81 expected" began Lydia, an
40 stopped in pretty confusion.
81 see. You expected middie-sse
p' lady. ai-ef And why, pray. shoul
- James Brood marry 3 middle-sse
- person."
D. I'll don't know. I'm sorry II
~ have offended you"
eu Mrs. Blood smiled, a gay, please
'm little smile that revealed her sDal
no even teeth. you haven't ofendt
OF me my dear" she said. You o1er
or nv husband By thinking so III OF hir
ne that's all" She took the girl In fro
ny head to foot with critical eyes. t
g, said you wers very pretty and vei
no lovable. You are lovely. No OF
wants to be pretty. Yes, you are ~
ny what expected"
ew Lydia was the taller Of the "
ity women: q matter OF two inches y
ce- haps, and Jet she had the curious te'
he Ing that she was looking upvaTd
or she gazed into the others eyeA
res was the way Mrs. Brood held herss
be sending swift glance around {
room. she went on: MY husband
a. lights IN having beautiful things aoo
the him. He doesn't like the ugly thu
on. Of this world"
One rro BE CONTINUED
pen --7-fTTIU