Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-09-16
Vh61 =" Il.
The Mystery of the Reliquary.
CHAPTER II.

ton, turned his attention to the brougham,
apparently with a view of experimenting
the removal of his impedimenta.
20, never mind your luggage" said the
earl in some surprise. "Jocelyn will see
to that"
But Ivar, ignoring the suggestion, was
concentrating all his care upon what
seemed to be long box wrapped in COW
ering of coarse linen. This a footman was
bringing into the hall upon his shoulders.
and while giving his burden jerk to place
it in a position more easy for carrying, the
cloth, by some mischance, became partly
ripped open.
A half-smothered exclama ton and an an
cry glance at the awkward footman were
eloquently expressive of Wars annoyance.
"Eh! what have we here?' said the earl,
motioning the bearer to lay down his bur
den.
He removed the cloth. and all crowded
round to admire the richness and beauty
of the object thus revealed to view. 1t
was a chest of black wood bound at the
corners with silver The lid and sides
were divided into compartments. carved
with alto-relievos of a decidedly ecclesias-
teal character.
This is a very fine work of art" said
Lord Ormsby, who was somewhat of an
authority on antiquities. Putting on his
pince-nez he stopped to examine the chest
more closely. French, l should judge, of
VIC iouA tcShNh SNhtois' w iSie "oNu 40 49,
Cypress
Godfrey did not fail to notice Ivar's
somewhat sullen intonation.
And the cypress" remarked the earl
lis the emblem of death. This chest is evil
IDENTIFY one of those shrines in which me-
daeval folk put the relics of their saints"
Yes, it is reiquary.''
How did you become its possessor?'
Il bought it from the sacristan of an old
church in Brittany. Whence he obtained
it is perhaps easy to guess Naturally +
refrained from questioning him too
Closely
20, did you extend your tour to Brit
tany, then?" he observed: after which he
refrained from further remarks, becoming
silent and thoughtful, if his mind had
been stirred by some troubling remfnis-
cence
Does it still contain the bones of the
saint?" asked Godfrey. jocularly.
ut contains souvenirs of my continental
tour-nothing more.' replied War with a
dark glance, If inviting the surgeon to
mind his own business.
And then, apparently impatient of fur
ther questions, he cut the matter short by
motioning the man to take up the chest
again, and he himself led the way I'D the
grand staircase to his own bed room where
after seeing the precious reliquary locked
within wardrobe, he seemed to be more
at ease.
The irritation betrayed by War over this
incident puzzled Beatrice, and left a some
what disagreeable impression upon her
mind.
Master WAR" she whispered to her
brother, was trying to smuggle that chest
into Ravenhall. Why should he desire
to conceal the fact that he is bringing
nome a reliquary? Depend upon it the chest
contains something that he does not wish
his father to see What can it be-"
During the course of the dinner that fol-
lowed War was the principal speaker. rat
ting on various incidents of his continental
tour.
There was nothing particularly edifying
or brilliant in these "reminiscences. but Lord
Ormsby evidently thought otherwise: for
from time to time he would turn to his
guests with an air of pride, as if inviting
them to take note of his sons remarks
That is one good trait in the earl's char
acter, thought Beatrice. He has great af-
lection for his son. / doubt very much
whether the son deserves it."
When at a late hour she and her brother
rose to take their departure, SO heavy a
storm was raging that the earl pressed
them to stay for the night and to this ar
rangement Godfrey and his sister assented,
the former little foreseeing that his stay
would have remarkable bearing on the
events of the future.
We'll, WAR" said the earl when the
two found themselves alone. What do you
think of Beatrice?'
She has grown devilishly handsome"
She is girl whom any man might be
proud to marry"
War was resting his head upon his hand,
and his face was hidden in shadow; there
| fore the earl did not perceive the sudden
change in his sons expression.
Marry" echoed the viscount
Il want to see you married War, and to
no one but Beatrice.
1.-The devil." muttered Ivar uneasily; and
then, aloud, he added. Does Trixie know
of this wish of yours?"
Il have occasionally limited at it,
Her manner toward me tonight can
| scarcely be called encouraging. She was
decidedly cold and standofflsh.'
Perseverance on your part will soor
overcome her Indifference"
IF must take wife, why must she be
| Cousin Trixie, seeing that she hasn't q
penny to bless herself WITH"
"She is richer than you or l." said the
| earl, with a dry laugh. "Ivar I am about
| to tell you secret, the knowledge of which
will soon cause you to waive your objec-
| tion-if you have any--to this match"
| richer than l." thought WAR "Whai
| does the old fool mean?'
| The earl seemed i'll at east He remained
| silent for several minutes, evidently de-
batting within himself as to the wisdom
| of disclosing the secret. At last, after
| glancing all around the apartment. as il
| to make certain that no one was within
| hearing, he bent forward in his chair to-
ward WAR and began to speak in low
| tone. The communication took a LONG
| time in the telling, and when it was ended
| the viscount sat in silence with a look OF
|
| Recovering from his amazement he nut
| tered hoarsely. why have you not told me
| of this before?''
you were not of an age to hear it. You
are old enough now to understand the vir-
| tues of silence and secrecy"
And this his son-what did you call
| him, Idris where is he now?"
| For reply Lord Ormsby produced from
| the bookcase copy of the Times news
paper, dated seven years previously.
| One of its columns was headed, "Ter-
1ble fire at Paris. Burning of the
| Hotel de PUnivers." The earls fore
! finger. moving down a list of victims
stopped at the name Idris Marville, aged
| o."
Ivar's features relaxed something of theil
| dismay.
| Satisfactory from my point of view," he
| muttered.
| None but you and l know this secret
| bat 1t is perpetually open to discovery as
| long as that church and its records exist
| You now see the necessity for this match
| with Beatrice. Ravenhall and the coronet
| are really hers. Marry her then, and you
will thus secure your position loid oil
| Ravenhall. What is your answer?'
"Humph! Suppose It'll have to be-"
1 Ix-ar Far 1,ts