The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1915-03-13
CHAPTER ".
In the Jade.Room.


Lydia met Brood and Frederic al
the top OF the stairs. She had re
ceived the message through Jones
and was on her way TO dress for tea
The master OF the house greeted hel
most cordially. He was very fond Of
this lovely, gentle daughter OF John
Desmond. Into their association had
stolen an intimate note that softened
the cold reserve of the man to a
marked degree. His chief Joy was TO
chat with her over the work he was
doing and to listen to her frank, hon.
est opinions. She regarded herself
as his secretary-or his amanuensis,
in the strict sense OF speaking-but he
considered her 10 be friend as well.
and treated her with a freedom that
was not extended to others.
A faint CLEAN of establishment
lurked in the girls eyes as she stood
before the two men. Never, in her
experience, had there been such an ex-
hibition Of friendliness between father
and son. A curious throb OF Joy
rushed up from her heart and lodged
in her throat. For the first time she
found II difficult to respond with COM
posure to Brood's lively comments.
Tears were lying close TO the surface
of her eyes-tears of relief and graft
tude. The buoyant expression in Fred
cries told new story Her heart
rejoiced
''Nonsensel" said Brood when she
announced that she was going 10
change her gown. you never looked
so pretty, my dear. as you do at this
moment. Come just as you are. to
please me-"
"A Tea party and an autopsy are
very much alike, Mr.. Brood" said
she. Zone can learn lot at either.
Still. II you'd like to have Mrs. Brood
see me as really am, I'll appear sans
plumage."
ia like IT," said he promptly. II
am sure you will like each other.
Lydia"
Il am glad you did not say we would
admire each other" said she quantity.
You look very happy. Mr. Brood"
she went on, her eyes bright.
Il believe am happy" said he.
'Then we shall all be happy" was
her rejoinder.
She returned 20 the jade-room on
the upper floor, where she had been
at work on the catalogue. Brood had
a very large and valuable collection
Of jade. The jaderoom. so called, was
little more than large closet of the
room which James Brood
was pleased TO call his hiding place,
OF on occasion. his retreat" No one
ventured into either of these rooms
except by special permission.
Ranjab. his Indian servant. slept
IN an adjoining room, and IL was whis-
pered about the house that not even
James Brood had viewed its interior.
This silent. unapproachable man from
he mysterious heart of India, locked
his door when he entered the room
md locked IL when he came out. No |
one. not even the master, thought OF !,
Mr., Dawes, I'm his cups or |
out OF them. was responsible for the
impression that the man kept deadly
'erpents there. AS matter OF fact.
Ranjab was peaceable fellow and
afraid OF snakes.
Lydia loved the feel OF the cold. oily
Jumps OF Jade. There were a few
pieces Of porcelain OF extreme rarity
md beauty as well. and several price
ess bits Of cloisonne. but II was the
ade she loved. There we're two or
hree hundred objects OF various sizes
md color and ell were what might be
salled museum pieces.
She had been at work for half an
lour or longer when noise in the
utter room attracted her attention.
she had the odd feeling that some one
vas looking AZ her through the open
loor, and Bwlftly turned
Except when occupied BY Brood the
Dom was darkened oy means or