Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-16
CHAPTER w.
A Woman's Eace

1t was such an unusual thing for Lord
Ravenspur to show his feelings so plainly
For the most part he passed as one of the
most self-contained men in London. He had
always boosted. too, of perfect health. His
nerves were in the best condition. And now
he had started to his feet, his hand pressed
to his heart, his face white, and wet with
terror. More than one of the guests came
forward but Ravenspur waved them aside
Il am behaving like child,' he said Il
suppose the time comes when all of US be-
gin to feel the effect of approaching age 1
don't know why Setons misfortunes should
have upset me so much. But, perhaps COM
ing on the horrors of this morning ii has
been little too much for me. 1t is a most
scandalous thing that a gentleman can't 20
out to dinner without being molested in this
fashion: What are the police thinking
about"
Ravenspur spoke in hot Indignation: in
fact he was slightly OVERRIDING It, He fused
about Seton. and insisted that the latter
should go up to his room, which suggestion
the guest waved aside He was the far
more collected of the two.
"Oh, nonsense" he said "a canful of hot
water Will repair all the damage. Don't you
leave me to young Walter here"
A door opened at that moment and A
young man entered and came eagerly across
the room In the direction of the speaker
w oiteI A%dICS InlR nave De6n Lord Raven
spur as he had been twenty years ago AS
matter of fact, they were uncle and
nephew. Lance being the son of Raven
spurs favorite sister. who had died some
years before. tor the rest, he was a barris-
ter eagerly waiting his chance of success,
and. in the meantime, occupied himself In
the capacity of RavenSpur'S private secre-
tary. He seemed to have heard all that had
taken place He was warm in his sympathy
as he ptloted Sir James Seton to his own
room They were going down again almost
before the dinner gong had ceased to sound.
and by this time knot Of dinner guests
were discussing ordinary topics again.
10 the casual observer there was no sign
OF trouble or tragedy here Everything was
perfect in Its way. The oval table glittered
with silver and old Bohemian glass The
banks of flowers might have been arranged
by the master hand of an artist Ravensnur
sat there gaily enough now, his CONVERSE
ton cleaning with wit and humor, the most
perfect host In London. There was no sign
whatever of his earlier agitation And vet
strive as he would, from time to time the
name OF Louis Delahay crept into the con-
Versatlon 1t was in vain that Lord Raven
spur attempted to turn the stream of
thought mo other channels He was glad
enough at length when the dinner came To
an END: and the party of guests broke up
INTO Nttle groups. The host approached
seton presently with a request to know
whether he would care to play bridge or
not
No bridge Sir James said emphat,cal,v
L am llTed or the tyranny of It, / wonder
that You should make such a Suggestion
RaVenspur, seeing how you detest the com
lnonplace: But, ut any rate, l will have an
other or those excellent cigarettes Of
yours
IL shall be just you please nv
1rlends' RaVenspur said YEARLY Now let
Us go and nave a coffee In the studio 1t is
much cooler there, and there is more space
to breathe"
The suggestion was received with general
slppioFai' ana move was Immediately
maze III the direction of the studio The
apartment lay at the end of long corridor
Wmch cut It offfrom the rest of the house
the studio being in reality a huge garden
ROOM which Ravenspur had built for rea-
sons OF privacy. He took a fatchkey from
| Ills pocket and opened the door
! always keep this place locked he ex-
pit!nea. some years ago my three academy
pictures were stolen just they were fin
lshed. and since then | have taken no risk
| The annoying part of the whole thing was
mat one of the missing pictures was the
best thing | ever did. What became of it is
| mystery"
Il remember the picture perfectly well ~
one of the guests remarked. 1T was the
| study of a woman. Do you recollect NV
coming in one night and You asked me my
| opinion of it?" :.
| Il think 1 remembe- it." Ravenspur
| said.
| We'll, 1t was superb piece of work. -
| the hrst speaker went on; anything more
| Fascinating than the woman's face l don't
| recoliect seeing. l don't know who Your
model was, Ravenspur, but you had rare
| find in her.
II had no model" Ravenspur explained
The face was more or less an ideal one
| composite, If you like. but resembling no.
body In particular. However, the thing was
| a great loss to me. and l have never ceased
| to regret it. That is why l always keep this
| place locked up; even when the room is
| cleaned out. l am always present to see
| that nothing is disturbed. 1t is a within OF
| mine"
| As he spoke Ravenspur switched on the
| electric lights, until the whole of the beauti.
| full apartment elowed to the illumina tior
| of the Shaded lamps. The studio itself wa.
circular in shape. and finished in a grea
with rare old Persian carpets, and lounges
from all parts of the world were dotted
about here and there. Round the walls wa
/ an almost unique collection of armnr Ernu