The Carlisle independent., 1915-04-08
CHAPTER lV-Contlnued.

Lydia f1inched, 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. If It's beauty appeals to him" Mrs. Brood gave her 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.
 T am nineteen"
 You were surprised to find me SC young. Will 1t add to your surprise # I tell you that am ten years older than you?"
 Tt doesn't seem credible"
 Are you wondering why I tell you my age?"
 Yes" said Lydia, bluntly.
 Tn 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 Bhe 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 . quick, wistful smile took the place Of the imperious stare.
 'Therei I am nasty, horrid thing Forgive me. Come. Don't be stub born. Shake hands with me and say that you're sorry I said what I did. Aer voice was so genuinely appealing that Lydia, after moments hesita ffon. extended her hands. Mrs. Brood srasped them in hers and gripped them tightly. '1 think I should like tc know that you are my friend, Lydia 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 pletely fascinated.
 ''It's-It's very good of you" she nurmured, her own eyes softening as they looked into the deep, velvety ones that would not be denied Ever IS she wondered whether she could ever really like thls magnetic crea lure, she felt herself surrendering tC She 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 oi 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 of the East itself-of the real East ] have sat in emperors' houses out there, my dear, and l have slept in the palaces of kings. I have seen just such things as these. and l know that they could not have been trans ported to this room except by magic My husband is magician"
 These came from the palaces oi kings, Mrs. Brood" said Lydia enthu siastically Kings in the days when kings were real This rug
 "I know" interrupted the other. My husband told me the story. It must have cost him fortune"
 Tt was worth fortune" said Lydia A calculating squint had come into Mrs. Brood's eyes while she was speaking. To Lydia it appeared as ii she were trying to fix upon the value of the wonderful carpet.
 "A collector has offered him-how is not that itf An, how rich he must bel"
 The collector you refer to-"
 q was referring to my husband, said Mrs. Brood. unabashed. He is very rich, isn't he?'
 Lydia managed to conceal her an noyance "I think not, as American fortunes are rated"
 Tt doesn't matter" said the other carelessly. ". have my own fortune And it is not my face" she added with quick smile. Now let us look further I must see all these wonder full things. We will not be missed and it is still half an hour till tea time. My husband is now telling his son all there is to be told about me who and what am. and how he came to marry me. Not, mind you. how