The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1915-04-23
CHAPTER ~.
In the Jade-Room.

| 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 to be a friend as well,
and treated her with 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 it difficult to respond with COM
posture to Brood's lively comments.
Tears we're 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.
NONSENSE" said Brood when she
announced that she was going to
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. "One can learn lot at either
Still, if you'd like to have Mrs. Brood
see me as / really am, I'll appear sans
plumage"
I'D like it." said he promptly. IT
am sure you will like each other.
Lydia"
II 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.
81 believe / am happy" said he.
Then we shall all be happy" was
ler rejoinder.
She returned to the jade-room on
he upper floor, where she had been |
It work on the catalogue. Brood had |
very large and valuable collection |
# Jade. The jade-room, SO called, was |
title more than a large closet off the |
room which James Brood |
vas pleased to call his hiding place."
# on occasion. his retreat" No one
entured into either of these rooms
kept by special permission.
Ranjab, his Indian servant, slept
D an adjoining room, and 1t was whis-
cred about the house that not even
ames Brood had viewed its interior.
his silent, unapproachable man from
be mysterious heart of India, locked
is door when he entered the room
nd locked It when he came out. No
ne, not even the master, thought of
Mr.. Dawes, In his cups or
ut Of them, was responsible for the
IMPRESSION that the man kept deadly !
there. As matter Of fact,
anjab was a peaceable fellow and |,
afraid OF snakes.
Lydia loved the feel OF the cold, oily
mps OF jade. There we're few
eces of porcelain Of extreme rarity
i'd beauty as well, and several price
IS bits Of cloisonne, but it was the !,
de she loved. There were two or /.
rec hundred objects of various sizes :,
ID color and all were what might be :,
Ned museum pieces.
She had been at work for half an !,
ur or longer when noise in the !
ter room attracted her attention. :
le had the odd feeling that some one
Is looking at her through the open
or, and swiftly turned
Except when occupied by Brood the .