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

/ ueT DIS MdQeLQOiSctic kflVlefe, Wu6n be-
| atrice interviewed with. Why iisguise the
truth, Cousin War? We know that there
| Is no Mademoiselle Rivfere now"
All. then that makes 1t much more pleas
But though he spoke thus, there was on
his face a look that showed he was not
over-pleased to learn that the truth had be-
You may rely upon our secrecy" added
Beatrice, thinking to put him at his ease.
II trust So" replied Ivar coldly.
ceeded to roll cigarette. remarking as he
did so. You do not objectT'
Lorelie assented with a smile that evoked
| the jealousy of the foolish Idris. If a wo-
man may not smile upon her husband, upon
whom may she smile?
Concluding that he and Beatrice were
| better away, Idris now arose, but Lorelie
| opposed their departure.
Going after SO short q stayT' she rem0n-
| strated. Now you are here. you must re-
| main for the evening. and-and Mr.. Break
| spear as WELL" she added. glancfng at Idris.
| Her manner was so persuasive that the
| two visitors lacked courage to refuse the
invitation. Thinking. however. that the
viscount and his wife might wish to ex-
| change condolences. Idris offered his arm
| to Beatrice and invited her to a stroll
| through the grounds that surrounded the
/ villa.
| AS Beatrice withdrew leaning on the arm
of 1dris and biushing at some compliment
| OF his, Lorelie glanced after them with a
/
receiving such attentions were over-her
| husband had ceased to be her lover. She
| could not avoid contrasting the appearance
of the two men-Ivar's pallid face and
| languid air with Idris' healthful bronzed
| complexion and splendid physique. There
| was difference of ten years in their ages;
and though War was scarcely past twenty,
| his face bore signs of dissipation-signs
| which his wife perceived with surprise and
| sorrow
No sooner were Idris and Beatrice out of
earshot than WAR turned frowning coun-
| tenance upon his wife.
| why have you told them of our mar
| riage?"
| 1t was necessary. WAR"
AS she recalled the occasion of its dis
closure faint color tinged her cheek; and
| war, though not usually a quick-witted
person. Immediately suspected the cause.
| Neeessitated by that fellows making
love to you, 1 presume?" he said. cycling
| her keenly.
| 'Ivar." she answered quietly, evading his
| question, so long as men think me free
| Free! that's good word
| SO long as am supposed to be unmar-
| ried, she continued, correcting her ex-
preston. so long shall I be liable to re-
| ceive attentions from other men. You can
easily remedy this by making our marriage
| known"
| "Oh harping on that string again. said
Ivar impatiently. Its out Of the question
| at present The governor would never
| forgive me for marrying a woman of no
| ldulily, especially, ne aQQeQ, with some
thing like sneer, especially a woman
| who admits that there is shadow on her
| name"
| There was a flash of resentment in the
| eyes that were turned suddenly upon him.
! You can bear me witness it was before
| our marriage and not after that / con-
| fessed to having a secret"
You would not tell me its nature"
| mo; nor ever SHALL" replied Lorelie, with
hardening Of her features. You were
willing to take me as 1 was, and to ask no
| questions as to my past. You promised
! never to refer to my secret. But-how often
! have you reproached me with it?"
| war smoked on in moody silence 1t was
| true ne mad given no thought to her secret
| In his first glow of passion slave to
sersuality. he had married Lorelie for her
| was, Ignorant even that her true name was
| Rochefort. Now that her beauty was be-
ginning to Fall upon him, a fact he took
lttie pains to disguise. this secret that
car kened her past began to trouble him.
| W nat answer was he to give to the editors
| of Debrett' and Burke" when interro-
gated as to his wife's family?
| war, Lorelie continued earnestly "your
| visits here are beginning to be noticed. NV
| character Is becoming exposed to suspi-
! cion. You will let the world know that I
am your wife, will you not?''
NO true man could have resisted the ap-
| pealing glance of her eyes, the pleading
tone of her soft voice; but War. being no
tue man, was proof against both.
| AmpoSSlDle, at present., ne frOWned.
| nave raised you from comparative poverty
| to affluence; l have surrounded you with
| luxury, and. by heaven you little know at
I what cost, and at what risk to myself! 1
| have made you my wife; be content with
| that. You will be a countess some day;
think Of your future triumph over those
| who slight you now. If people talk you
must put up with it, or go away from
| you came here. But your vanity is such
| that you must feast your eyes daily upon
your future heritage of RavenhalL"
| TT was neither the desire to see the
Ravengar lands nor the wish even to be
near you that drew me to Ormsby, but a
| very different motive"
In the DEVILS name what motive?" said
| War, elevating his eyebrows in surprise.
| 1T is a part of the secret of my life. But,
| being here, here L remain. And WAR
| must be acknowledged" she added firmly.
| "Of course, you burning to exhibit
yourself Viscountess Walden; to shine in
| ancestral diamonds; to reign at Ravenhall;
| to be queen of the countryside; to be court
ed and admired at fetes and balls
mo. 1var, no; care nothing for these
| things, but much for the name of wife. To
| think that must plead with my own hus-
| band to redeem my name from reprOach!
| What have you to fear from your father s
| anger? AS you are his legitimate and only
| son he cannot deprive you of the title. even
| if he would; to the Ravengar estate,
| that is entailed. and must therefore descend
| to you. OF what, then, are you afraid?"
at is true that the original estate the
estate of the first earl, is entailed; but
| since his day the Ravengar lands have
| more than doubled. These later acqui-
| sitions the governor can dispose Of as he
| will. If I offend him he may make them
over to some one else; to Beatrice, for ex-
| ample. since she is a great favorite of his. y
| That's a temptation with me to reveal
| our marriage said Lorelie with smile.
| "One-half of the Ravengar estate would
| form a pretty dowry for her and Mr..
| Breakspear."
Her and Breakspear?" War repeated.
| SIS it your wish, then, that he should mar
| ry Beatrice? That fellow may have saved
| your Hfe" he added darkly, but it doesn
| follow that you must seek to reward him
| with the hand of my cousin
| Events are shaping themselves that
! way Lorelie remarked quietly, with a
/ glance at the distant Beatrice. who was
| laughing gaily while Idris bent over her.
| And really 1t can be no concern of yours
| whom she marries.'
| ''She is Ravengar," replied Ivar. lor-
| tily. There is the family name to be con-
| sidered. Pray, who is this insolent Break
| spear, that first makes love to you, and now
| aspires to Beatrice?"
Mr.. Idris Breakspear--" began Lorelie,
and then she stopped, surprised at the look
| upon Wars face.
.Idris!" said the viscount quickly. rs
his name Idris?
| Yes, why?'