Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-10-06
CHAPTER XIV.
A Blood Relation.

Walter choked down an ugly word that
rose to his lips. He resented the intrusion
just at a moment when he particularly de-
sired to be alone with Vera. Who was it,
he wondered. who came 80 late? And who
rang so imperiously and persistently for ad-
mission? He flung back bolt and chain
and opened the door. With her nerves all
unstrunG and with a certain intuition of
impending calamity upon her, Vera had
followed him into the hall. She had dried
her eyes now; she showed little sign of
her recent agitation. She heard Walters
exclamation as he recognized the intruder.
Good heavens it is Mrs Delahayi" he
cried. What can you want here at this
hour
The studio" Mrs Delahay gasped Get
to the studio at once. II your uncle should
You can reassure yourself on that
point" Walter said. Lord Ravenspur is
present in his bed room"
Maria Deiahay pressed her hand to her
heart. She gave little gasp of relief. She
was too breathless to explain. All she
needed now was chair to support her
failing limbs. AS Walter stood there ii
flashed upon him that something wrong
must be taking place In connection with the
studio. He had not forgotten the vivid in
cident Of the other night. Perhaps at this
very moment the clue TO the puzzle was in
his hands. He turned round, and his gaze
Tell upon Vera. who was watching Mrs.
DeldEay CuriouSly.
Take this lady into the drawing room"
lie said and wait till / come back. l
shau't be very long
Vera came forward with a sympathetic
smile upon her face. \ light was shining
on her features. Maria Delahay could see
how fair and sweet she was. And so this,
She thought, her sisters child. This
was the girl from whom her mother had
voluntarily separated herself for upward of
eighteen years 1t seemed impossible. in
credible To believe, but there il was. And
tie girls hand Was under Mrs. Delahay's
arm now. She was being gently assisted as
Far the dra wing room.
Il am sure YOU are Mrs. Delahay" Vera
said. in her most sympathetic voice III
all had gone well we should have met be-
fore now. | cannot tell you how sorry |
am for you. | do hope this dreadful mys-
terry will b. cleared up before long And
now can | get you anything? | suppose
You came to see Lord Ravenspur?"
Maria Delahay hesitatsd for a moment
There was no occasion To tell this beautiful
child the dread import OF her presence
there. II seemed a wicked thing TO bring
her within the range of the trouble
Il should like to see Lord Ravenspur
yes" she said. so you are his ward
Vera Rayne? Really, l cannot any
likeness between you and your father"
The words had slipped unconsciously
from Maria Delahay's lips before she had
time to think what she was saying. IL was
only when she noted the startled look in
Neras eyes that she realized the full eX-
tent of her imprUdent speech
Did you know my father Vera cried.
what am | saying" Mrs. Delahay ex-
claimed My head is dazed and con-
fused that | don't know what ! am talking
about. Just for moment | was filled with
foolish idea that you were Lord Raven
spurs daughter. 1t would be strange If
you bore a likeness to him. seeing that he
is only your guardian"
Vera was silent for a moment. Mrs. Della
hays impetuous speech had filled her with
misgivings She did not know, she could
not feel sure that. after all. Lord Raven
epur might stand Ia closer relationship to