The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1915-03-13

Her Attention.
heavy window hangings; the effect
was that produced by the cleaning
| just before the stars appear Objects
were shadowy, indistinct, mysterious
The light from the jade.room door
threw diverging ray across the full
length OF the room. In the very cen
ter Of this bright strip sat a placid
efiigy OF Buddha that Brood had found
in a remote corner OF Siam, serenely
stolid on top OF its thick base OF
bronze and lacquer, with a shining
shrine for a background. In the dim
edge OF the shadow, near the door at
the far end OF the room, Lydia made
out the motionless, indIstinct figure OF
woman. The faint outlines OF the
face were discernible but not so the
features. For moment the girl stared
at the watcher and then advanced to
the door.
Who is it?" she inquired. peering.
A low, husky voice replied, with a
suggestion Of laughter in the tones.
Il am exploring the house"
Lydia came forward at once. "Oh,
II is Mrs. Brood. ! beg your pardon.
Shall / switch on the lights?"
you are Lydia?"
Eyes, Mrs. Brood
Il have been prowling 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 If
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 a sudden long
ing to be closer 10 the speaker, to
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 be
quite safe"
Thank YOU" rather CURLY, as IL re-
Polling familiarity. II was like dash
Of cold water TO Lydla's spirits you
may turn on the lights. should like
to see you, Miss Desmond"
The girl crossed the room, passing
close 10 the stranger in the house.
The fragrance of perfume hitherto
unknown to her separated itself from
the odor OF sandalwood that always
filled the room; IL was soft, delicate,
refreshing. II was like a breath OF
cool, sweet air altering into a close,
stuffy room. One could not help draw
ing In long. full breath, as II the
lungs demanded It's revivifying quail
ties.
A soft. red glow began TO I'll the
room as Lydia pulled the cord near
the door. AS the light grew brighter
and brighter the eyes OF the stranger
swept the room with undisguised won
der in their depths.
How extraordinary" she MUIR
INJURED, and then turned swiftly toward |
the girl. Where does Il come from? |
can see no lights. And see! There !
are no shadows. not even beneath the !
table yonder lit is uncanny-but, !
oh. how lovelyl"
Lydia was staring at her with wide !
open eyes, frankly astonished. The
eager, excited CLEAN vanished from I
Mrs. Brood's lovely eyes. They mar
rowed ever so slightly.
why do you stare at met" she de.
IL expected" began Lydia. and
stopped in pretty confusion.
II see. You expected a middIeaged
ady, Ale? And why. pray. should
James Brood marry middle-aged
IL don't know. I'm sorry II I
nave offended you"
Mrs. Blood smiled, a gay, pleased /
little smile that revealed her small.
even teeth. You haven't offended
ne. my dear" she said. You offend
ny husband by thinking so III OF him.
hats all" She took the girl In from
lead TO foot with critical eyes. He
laid you were very pretty and very
oyable. You are lovely. No one
wants to be pretty. Yes, you are Just
What expected"
Lydia was the taller Of the two
women; matter Of two inches per-
laps, and yet she had the curious feel
ng that she was looking upward as
he eazed into the others eyes. II
vas the way Mrs. Brood held herself. Il
Sending swift glance around the
Dom, she went on: @AIy husband de.
ights In having beautiful things abcdt
lin. He doesn't like the ugly things
4 this world.
Lydia nlnched. she knew not why.
There was sting to the words. de-
pitc the languldness with which they
rpro uttered