Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-10-06

her than that of guardian. But she put
the trouble out of her mind now. She had
other things to occupy her attention. And
after all said and done, the poor creature
by her side was in deeper grief and anxiety
than herself.
Il think 1 will go up and tell my guardian
you are here she said Il know he will
be glad to see you"
Vera was spared the trouble, for at that
moment RavenSpur came into the room
with bundle of papers in his hand He
started as he caught sight of Mrs. Della
hay.
You here at this hour he exclaimed
Il hope
No. there is nothing particularly wrong"
the woman said. Il should like few
words with you If l am not intruding"
Vera discreetly left the room and walked
off toward the library There was a stern
expression on Ravenspurs face he
looked at his visitor. He waited for her
to speak.
II daresay you will think this Is rather
singular of me-" she fatered, but l came
here tonight because your life is in danger
l believe that the man called Luigi Silva is
under your roof at the present moment
You know who | mean?"
Il know perfectly WELL" Ravenspur re-
piled. 1T would be absurd to pretend to
misunderstood you. And so it turns out
after all that you the sister of my poor
friend Flavio's wife. Did Delahay know
your identity before he married your"
He knew all there was that was worth
knowing" the woman said, little defiant
ly. He knew the story of my miserable
youth. for instance. l don't want YOU to
misunderstood me. l don't wish to pretend
that had any ardent passion for my hus-
band But my affection was deep and sin
cere. and my loss is almost more than |
can bear oh. l know what you are going
to say. You are going to ask what
know about that wretched Flavio affair
repeat in all sincerity that l knew nothing
till the other day. l did not even know
that my sister was alive. not until l WIS.,
tied her tonight at her house in Isleworth
road. / was not aware that she had mar
red Boris Flavio. l did not know that she
had child"
DO you know who the child is?" Raven
spur asked swiftly.
Yes. 1 know now" was the significant
reply. Il have just been talking to her.
What a beautiful girl she is, How sweet
and natural. How open and candid Is her
face. 1t seems almost incredible to me
that my sister could have forgotten her
done So
No. nor any other woman worthy of the
name. Ravenspur said grimly- But
though you lived with your sister till early
womanhood, you had no real conception OF
her character. l never met her myself for
which / am devoutly thankful. But learnt
enough, and more than enough, of her
character from Flavio's letters to me. If
ever man was cursed with fiend in
carnate in the shape of a wife. Flavio was
that man. oh. l don't wish to give you
pain for you have suffered enough of late
But | know what L am talking about. The
mere fact that you alluded to just now is
proof positive that your sister is incapable
of affection for her child. More or less by
accident you have made this discovery to-
night. BY sheer chance you know that
your sisters daughter is under my roof
For a long time past l have known that
some agency has been at work to deprive
me of the girl. an agency so utterly I'M
scrupulous that my very life is in danger
/ suppose that man is acting for your Sis
ter, who has a sudden within to gain pos
session OF her child once more. And now l
am going to ask you a favor. You are to
say nothing of what you have found out
tonight l have told you what your sister
Is, and no doubt my words will prove true