Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-09-30
CHAPTER XIII.

On the following day Beatrice Ravengar,
with some misgivings, set out for the pur-
pose of making afternoon call upon
Mademoiselle Riviere, or to use her right
full title, Viscountess Walden.
Idris accompanied her, nominally as her
escort, in reality consumed with the longing
to meet Lorelie again. True wisdom told
him that he was but tormenting himself in
thus seeing her. that the better way was
to avoid her altogether; but he found this
latter course IMPOSSIBLE; he despised him.
self for his weakness. yet as the moth is
attracted by the light so was Idris attracted
by the fascinating personality of Viscoun-
tess Walden.
On arriving at the Cedars Beatrice was
received in a manner so gracious and WIN
ming that her misgivings We're Immediately
put to flight.
We cousins. you and l." said Lorelie.
kissing her affectonately land must ever
be good friends
Beatrice. quick to read character could
tell that the other was really DESTROYS of
her friendship; and as she recalled her I'M
just suspicion she felt full of a guilty
shame. and was almost tempted to fall
upon her knees, confess her fault, and beg
for pardon.
Aware of the circumstances under which
Lorelie and 1dris had last parted Beatrice
viewed the greeting of each other with an
interest that was almost painful to her
and the yiscountess knowing that she was
watched, extended to Idris the dignified
courtesy that she might have extended to
stranger, though all the time she was in
wardly tormented lest Idris should think
her unduly cold. None but herself knew
how her heart was pulsating beneath her
calm exterior. She was not to be blamed.
she argued. for the feeling that had sprung
up self-originated within her breast Ac-
ton and tongue may be controlled: thought
never. So long, then, as she controlled her
NO ly,1 nntIa
OF her? What more? A secret voice SEEM
ed to say, Never to see Idris againr'
Iney sat on the veranda conversing on
various topics, and as Bea trice listened to
the charming words and the sweet laugh of
the v1scountess. and contemplated her bril-
liant beauty, she no longer wondered that
ldris should have fallen in love with her.
Durlng the course of the conversation
some details of Lorelie's history became
revealed.
She was now twenty-t three years of age
and had been born at Nantes in the game
year IN which her father, Captain Roche
tort, mad aided Eric Marville to escape from
the Breton prison. Her father she had
never known. nor had he ever been seen
again by Madame Rochefort after his flight
in the yacht Nemesis
When Lorelie was sixteen vears of .o.
ner mother died. leaving to her an income
sufncient with economy for her mainte
nance. Henceforward she had led a soil
books and musie In I,e her content with her
sne met Lord Walden at Monaco
Ihey were married privately and while
tne earl supposed his son to be carving on
the course of study requisite for the Dino
matic procession, that son was in reality
Riviera 0oH oh the
After a few months of welded life Tor
enc suddenly conceived the purpose
or visiting Ormsby, though bsr
nuoand was opposed to the idea. By pre-
concerted arrangement she took nm he.
residence at The Cedars, some weeks nrior
10 war homecoming, lest their coincidant
ARRIVAL should give rise to suspicion
ana mere she remained. concealinp har
rightfui name and rank in compliance with
wars wish, and waiting till a favorable
opportunity should arrive for making the
| marriage known to the stern old earl
Secret contempt stole over Idris at the
/ course pursued by the viscount. man
| might be very well content to brave his
fathers anger and the loss of an estate
however splendid. for such wife as I,oreIie
| BY some subtle process of telepathy his
| thoughts communicated themselves to her
| and Knowing that he would not have hesi.
| tated at such sacrifice, the viscountess
| trembled and burst not meet his glance
| lest he should read in her eyes more than
| he ought. Contrary to the proverb the third
| person on this occasion was not de trop
| Lorelie felt grateful for the presence OF
| Beatrice, and chung to her as to a protect
| ing angel
May add one to this pleasant trio?''
| said a new voice. breaking in upon them
and, looking up, Idris caught the suspicious
| not to hate-Loreiie's husband.
Lord Walden coldly acknowledged Idris
presence, smiled at Beatrice, and still keep
ing up the pretense of being merely a per.