Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-07
cHAPrER xvI-continued.

CHAPTER XVI-Continued.
That same evening at sunset Lorene sat
alone on the grand terrace overlooking the
undulating landscape that surrounded
Ravenhall Behind her rose the ivied man
sion with it's fine halls and treasures OF ART.
Roses, glowing in sculptured vases along
the terrace, filed the air with their sweet
ness. Marble fountains flashed abort eneir
si.very spray. Below. in froEt of her, green
lawns and woodlands stretched away. to the
margin of shimmering lake-ah batheo IN
the dusky golden glow of sunset
This day should have been one OF the
proudest of her life. She had received rec
ognition from the earl, and was now an
acknowledged wife, peeress, and the des-
tined queen of the country side.
While living at the Cedars she had been
sighted by some of the society of Ormsby,
and had been cruelty traduced by others:
how great. then, would be the mortincatoh
of her enemies to learn That tne person
whom they had condemned held the PROUD
renk of Viscountess Walden! Ihey "ouiu
be but too willing now to efface the past
and do ner homage: for, to be on VisltinS
terms at Ravenhall was the ambition OF an
the elite of Ormsby. What triumph TOT
her, Youth and beauty, rank ana wealth.
all were hers. 80
That was one side Of the medal; how diff
ferent the reverse!
Her father was a murderer, ner idtnei-
in-law was a murderer; her husband was,
in his own language an "appropr1ator, or,
In other words a thief: and she herself was
but spy at RavenhaH. seeking Tor proofs
to deprive him Of his prospective Weaa1n
and title! Even now he manifested 1noi1-
ference 10 her; what would be his feelings
r. through her instrumentality, lars
Breakspear should succeed to the coronet
OF the Ravengars?
Whether she spoke out or whether she
remained mute, a melancholy future lay
before her. On the one hand splendor pur-
chased at the price of injustice TO lorls, on
the other the lifelong hatred OF heI nus.
band for prefering the interests OF lars 10
lis own.
The voice of Ivar Jared upon her medita-
tons. He was lounging along the terrace
smoking the inevitable ciearet'e. ,,,
my Lady doesn't seem very happy no"
that she Gwells in marble halls, with vas
sails and serfs by her side LOOK AROUND
YOU" he continued, with a sweep OF ms
arm that took in the whole landse cape onS S
west. all is ours. Isn't the prospect falr
enough for your
LAS fair as the Dead sea fruit-ah ashes
to the TASTE
She lifted her head, and he saw that her
face was pale that her eyes were sunused
with tears, that her expression was one Oh
unutterable melancholy ;.
..Why the devil did you come here, II
YOU don't like it? Upon my word you are
lard to please. Is this your gratitude to
the pater for his his gracious reception OF
your .,,o ord
'your ladyship,'" she murmured 10 her-
self, knowing all the time that am us
tening to He.
Iyar started. but made no reply he
1ounred off to the end Of the terrace, Where
he stood watching his wife with dark ex-
preston on his face.
.'Csot a fit of the blues on. he muttereo
.sThinking of Breakspear, and how hard II
l. fr0rv
forth BY God! supposing she lets ner
craze for that fellow carry her to the ex-
IRENE of declaring the truth! She loves
him. and a woman In love Will commit any
folly She's not to be trusted.
While he was occupied with these uneasy
reflections a footman appeared, carrying
on a silver salver a letter addressed TO the
viseount.
handwriting on the envelope. and ere open
ing it cast glance at the distant Lorelie
The note was a sweet-scented one, signed
"Lilias Winter" and contained request
least so the simple minded would have
read 1t, but to Ivar 1t conveyed very diff
ferent meaning. Interpreted by prear-
ranged code the note signif1ed that on the
part of the sender circumstances were IA
vorable that night for receiving a visit
from the viscount. For Ivar, with per-
verSty of taste, not uncommon In the I'M
moral, found more pleasure In carrying on
cultivating the society of his fair young
wife
few days previously, when ignorant of
the existence Of Idris, the viscount would
have laughed in Lorelie's face had she
reproached him with this amour.
Now he suddenly became conscious that
this intrigue was no laughing matter.
His succession to the title and estates de-
pended on his wife's good will. Any act on
his part tending to provoke her might end
in his ruin. When the handsome widow,
who had entertained hopes herself of one
day becoming Viscountess Walden, should
learn of Wars marriage, disappointment
and jealousy might prompt her to reveal
this amour to Lorele. And then? Ill
usage from her husband Lorelie might toll
crate, but infidelity, never! Goaded by
such an outrage she would fling his inter-
ests to the winds, and make 1t known that
Idrs was the rightful heir of Ravenhall.
mo help for it,. muttered Ivar. Il must
tell the governor at once. and tell him all
without disguise; that Idris Marville Is not
only alive but dwelling here today at
Ormsby; that Lorelie suspects who he is,
and that Lilias will have to be bribed into
silence otherwise she will create scandal
of which Lorelie will avail herself to our
confusion and ruin. Breakspear at pres
must be done TO prevent him from ever
learning it-but what?"
The lights in the library at RavenhaI
burned till late hour that night, or rather
they were continued till far into the morn
ing
The sleep of the new viscountess in her
distant bed chamber was f1tful and trou-
bled. but there would have been no sleep
at all for her could she have known the
character OF the conversation taking place
IN the library between the Ravengan
father and son.
CHAPTER XVII.