The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1915-04-24
CHAPTER IV-continued.

Lydia finched, 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 a thing, Mrs. Brood, if its beauty
appeals to him" Mrs Brood gave
her a quizzical, half-puzzled look.
"You have only to look about you for
the proof. This one room represents
a fortune" The last was spoken has
tily.
How old are you, Miss Desmond?"
The question came abruptly.
II am nineteen"
You were surprised to find me so
young. Will it add to your surprise
II tell you that I am ten years older
than your
at doesn't seem credible"
Are you wondering why 1 tell you
my age?"
YES" said Lydia, bIuntly.
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 Lydia's face.
She grew cold from head to foot. In
voluntarily she moved back a pace
The next instant, to her unbounded
surprise, Mrs. BroOd's hands were out
stretched in a gesture of appeal, and
a quick, Wistful smile took the place
OF the imperious stare.
There! l am a nasty, horrid thing.
Forgive me. Come! Don't be stub
born. Shake hands with me and say
that you're sorry l said what I did"
1t was quaint way of putting it, and
her voice was so genuinely appealing
that Lydia, after a moments hesita-
ton, extended her hands. Mrs. Brood
grasped them in hers and grfpped
them tightly. 81 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 yours? I have my husband, that
is 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
pieteiy fascinated.
t's-It's very good of you" she
murmured, her own eyes softening as
they looked into the deep, veIVety
ones that would not be denied. Even
as she wondered whether she could
ever really like this magnetic crea-
ture, she felt herself surrendering to
the. spell of her. But perhaps you
Will not like me when you know me
better
Perhaps" said Mrs. Brood, calmly,
almost indifferently, 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 1t Is a part
OF the East itseIf-of the real East
/ have sat in emperors' houses out
there, my dear. and have slept in
the palaces of kings. 1 have seen
just such things as these, and know
that they could not have been trans
ported to this room except by magic
My husband is magician
These came from the palaces of
kings, Mrs. Brood" said Lydia enthu-
siastically. ''Kfngs in the days when
kings were real This rug
81 know interrupted the other MY
husband told me the story It must
have cost him a fortune
cit was worth a fortune" said Lydia.
A calculating squint had come into
Mrs Brood's eyes while she was
speaking. To Lydia it appeared as if
she were trying to fix upon the value
Of the wonderful carpet.
"a collector has offered him-how
much? A hundred thousand dollars,
is not that it? All, how rich he must
bel"
THE collector you refer to"
81 was referring to my husband, .
said Mrs. Brood. unabashed. He is
very rich, isn't he?"
Lydia managed to conceal her an
noyance. 81 think not, as American
fortunes are rated
cit doesn't matter" said the other
carelessly. 81 have my own fortune
And 1t Is not my face" she added
with quick smile. NOW let us looE
further. I must see all these wonder
ful things. We will not be missed
and It is still half an hour till tea
time. Ny husband is now telling his
SON all there is TO be told about me
who and what I am, and how he came
to marry me. Not, mind you, how