Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-12
CHAPTER XVIII-Continued.

Beatrice gave her visitor glad greet
ing, but there was a subdued air about
her, due. as Lorelie knew, to sorrow at
the thought of Idris' departure.
Has Mr.. Breakspear told you that
he Is going to leave us?" she asked.
and, receiving an affirmative, she
continued mournfully: LAS this is per-
f&ps the last time We shall be together you
must stay with US long as you can. We
are just about to have lur cheon. VIII you
not join us?"
Lorelie readily assented, and went up
stairs with Beatrice to remove her hat and
mantle.
"Youare not looking very well, Lady Wal
dem
mo, Beatrice. Ard 1 shall never be well
again"
Something in her tone went to Beatrice's
heart; she guessed that Lorelie's unhappi-
ness arose from WARS ill-treatment of her.
The beautiful face was suffused by an
expression so miserable that Beatrice, the
| maiden OF eighteen, involuntarily drew the
| married woman of twenty-three within her
arms and kissed her consolingly, as though
| the viscountess were a little child. And
| Loreie glad of such sympathy, chung to
| Beatrices embrace.
Beatrice" she said presently, "if you
Should hear that have slipped from bat
t!ement on the roof of Ravenhall and dis
| located my neck, or that l have lost my life
| falling into the lake in the park, remember
| that this event will not have happened by
| accident
What do you mean?" gasped Beatrice,
suicide.
Let your brother say whether I am
| wrong. Did he analyze the contents of the
| phial that l sent him?''
He said that the water contained-I for
get how many grains Of strychnine," replied
Beatrice. innocently.
hn,, -itrht Ito rrffI a
| face as white as death. 20, Beatrice, the
| earl and War tried to poison mel
Lady Walden, how dare you say that?"
| said Beatrice, with a burst of Indignation.
| 1t was against Ravengars that Lorele's
! charge was made and Beatrice suddenly re-
| membered that she herself was a Ravengar.
Bad Ivar might be she could not believe
him capable of murder; and as for the
earl, had he not always treated her with
kindness?
But when Lorelie began to relate the in
cident of her visit to the crypt Beatrice
scepticism slowly vanished, and she listened
| with growing horror upon her face. And
| when the story was ended she sat cold and
trembling, unable at first to speak
! Are they aware that you suspected their
| design she asked.
| Il do not think SO. I continue to speak
! and act as if 1 have every confidence in
| them.
How can you bear to live with them?
| What they have attempted once they may
attempt again. How can you trust yourself
| at the same table with them!
| by ca ting of the dishes OF which they
eat; they not likely to poison them
| selves / must remain at Ravenhall till l
| have accomplished my task
| And what is that?'
| right to the earldom; for, Beatrice, l have
reasons for believing that he is the right1ui
| Earl of Ormsby."
ments she had addressed to Idris, with some
Others in addition. 49,
! "Haye YOU told Mr. Breakspear this?'
| said Beatrice, breathless with excitement.
YES and he refuses to move IN the mat
| ter 1oo.u,oa
| impulsively. I'VE will persuade MIN 10
give up this mad journey to Tibet Lazy
"Do not recall my unhappiness by using
that name; besides. it is not justly mine
Call me Lorelie.'
and live there with you.
| oreI,e,s smile was like sunlight sweeping
| over dark Landscape :.
| .If ANYTHING could make me happy II
would be your daily compromising dearest
TT is not safe for you to live alone at
Ravenhall,'' continued Beatrice II VIII re-
| turn with you to keep watch ana waro
| over you. Together we will work and MAKE
| what discoveries we can. If Idris really be
the owner of Ravenhall we will do our best
| to establish him in his rights.
| The light of justice shone from Beatrice's
| ewes There should be a righting of the
| wrong Since the earl and 1var had not
| hesitated at murder, let them suffer the
| punishment due to their guilt by losing
| their rank and estates
| And when that is DONE said Lorelic,
| 1T will be for me to retire to a convent,
| and for Idris to place a coronet on these
tresses," she added, touching Beatrices
| hair.
| "Ah. no. replied Beatrice, sadly. He
| will not marry me. 1dris never loved any
r. Sc INN 10 fnr tn
| have you, yet he will never love any ole
! else
Lorelie was touched to the quick by
| Beatrices look of distress. She felt that
| if she herself had not appeared upon the
| scene. Beatrice might now be happy in the
| love of Idrs.
| Beatrice, believe me, / would gladly die
if n.y., death would enable you to gain his
| love-
Beatrice did not doubt the sincerity of
this assurance. Brave hearted and gener-
| Gus, the little maiden harbored no resent
| ment against her rival.
| He will come to you some day. said
| Lorelie, kissing the other tenderly. He
| has been with you long enough to know
| your worth. He will find want of some
| thing in his life when he is away from
| you. He will begin to ask himself what it
is. 1t is Beatrice his heart will answer;
| and he will return to seek YOU
| Beatrice shook her head, refusing to be-
| lieve in this bright forecast.
| Have you told Idris of the attempt made
| upon your life?" she asked.
| mo"
| I'VE shall be doing well not to tell him of
| 1t. He is hot-blooded where your welfare
| is concerned; his rage would lead him to
| horsewhip both the earl and Ivar, to do
| something equally rash. 1t is for us TO
| mete out the punishment. We will do it
| more circumspectly. We will lull them int
| a false state of security, and then, when
| they least expect it"
| What more she would have said was cut
| short by Godfrey, who, standing at the foot
| of the staircase, asked whether he and
| ldris We're or were not to have the society
| of the ladies at luncheon; and thus ad-
| jured the two went down to the dining
| room.
Godfrey was much struck with Lorelie
| pallid look. and determined before letting
| her depart to take diagnosis of her state
| and prescribe accordingly.
| Though full of wonder when Beatrice bc-
gan to tell him of her intention to live at
| Ravenhall as Lorelies companion, he made
no objection, surmising that there was a
| mystery somewhere, and that she had good
reason for the course size was taking
| Il shall be sorry to lose you, Trixie" he
| remarked.
1T is only for time" replied his sister.
| by the way said Godfrey, turning to
address Idris. Il attended an old gentleman