Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-17
PIER v.
Vera Rayne.

The conversation became more general
now. that il was possible moment later
for Ravensour to slip out of the studio
without as absence being observed. He
went swiftly away to the library, where he
hastily dashed of a note. which he handed
over to a servan. to be delivered immedi-
ately. He seemed to be somewhat easier in
his mind now, for the smile had come back
to his lips. The smile became deeper, and a
shade more tender. a young girl came
into the room. She had .-idently just re-
!. turned from some social function. for she
was in evening dress, with a light slken
cloud thrown over her fair hair. Save for
the brilliancy of Ter eyes. and the cha ply
smile upon her LIS she bore a strong re
sembiance TO the mysterious photograph.
which had so disturbed Ravenspur a little
time before She crossed the room gayly,
and kissed Ravenspur lightly on the cheek.
SO your FRIENDS have all gomez she
asked.
No; they are still in the studio. But tell
me. have you had very enjoyable evening?
And how l. it that YOU Jack so soon?"
a faint splash of color crept into the girl
cheeks. She seemed to be Just little en-
barrassed by the apparently simple ques-
ton.
'Oh. don't know" she said lone gets
tired of going out every night And ii was
| rather dull. dare say all this sounds very
ungrateful when you give me everything
Soaiu oesit. but 4 am longing TO get into
the country again. 1t seems almost crime
for people to shut themselves up In dusty
London, when the country is looking at its
very best. Do you know. 1 was far happier
when l was down in Hampshire?
We'll. we can't have everything our own
way Ravenspur smiled. Still, we shall
see what will happen later on. And now,
really must go back again to my guests
Vera Rayne threw herself carelessiy down
into chair. a little sigh escaped her lips
She ought to have been happy enough. She
had all the blessings that good health and
great wealth could procure. And yet there
were crumpled rose leaves on her couch Of
down. The thoughtful look on her face
deepened. She sat there deeply immersed
In her own reflections, that she was quite
Obvious to the fact that she no longer
alone. Walter Lance had come into the room
He addressed the girl twice before he OBJ
tanned any response. Then she looked up
and wistful, tender smile lighted up her
beautiful face
Il was thinking" she said DO Won
know, Walter. have been thinking a good
deal lately? suppose 1 am naturally more
discontinued than most girls, but am get
ting very tired of this sort Of LIFE Pleasure
is so mOnotonous.'
"Unsrateful," Walter laughed He came
and stood close to the speakers side so that
he could see down into the depths OF her
eyes, which were now turned fully upon his
There are thousands of girls who envy
your fortunate lot
Il don't know why they should You see
it is all very well for me to go on like this
1t Is all very well to be a fascinating mys-
terry. The time has come when 1 ought to
know things. For instance. | should like to
know who l really am
What does 1t NATTER" LARGE asked
w nat Goes 1t matter SO long as $50 long
as we all care for you. My dear girl, you
pain me. And when you speak in that cold
not TO say arbitrary way. as if-as if
really, Vera! 1t isn't that l want you to
he more worldly than you are"
But then you see, am not worldly Wal
ter And | really should ..-.e to know who
| am. and where l came from. 1t Is all
very well to tell people that am the daugh-
ter of an old friend of Lord Ravenspur. and
that he adopted me when r. father died.
That is sufficient for our friends and ac-
quaintarces, and seems to satisfy Them
but 1t does not satisfy me. When ask Lord
Ravenspur about my parents he puts me off
with one excuse or another. and if insist
he becomes quite stern and angry. He Is
SO good to me that | don't like to bother
him. And yet can't go on like his"
Walter Lance looked somewhat uneasily
a the SPEAKER.
What do you mean by that?' he asked
My dear Walter. | r.ean exactly what
say, Vera said sadly. Il am tired of this
constant round of plea sure Really, it seems
to me that the lives of the rich are quite as
monotonous those of the poor We go
our weary round of dinner and dance and
reception. varied by an occasional theater
concert. We see the same faces and
take part in the same vapid converse ton
Oh. Walter how much nicer it would be to
get ones own living
How would you get yours?" Lance
laughed.
Well at any rate. could sry. And that
is what l am going to do. Walter l have
fully made up my mind not to stay here
any longer. Don't think that am migrate