Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-10-04
CHAPTER XXI.
The Worth of a Man.


themselves what distinguished company
Lord Ravenspur was entertaining tonight
Inside the house the master of it all was
counting the moments till he should be
alone. He was only giving an informal
dinner, but the guests numbered upward
of thirty all the same. And now they were
dsported all over the house. Ravenspur
sat In the great hall. with it's mosaic floor
and wonderful marble pillars. 1t was one
of the show places o. London, the envy of
many whose means were greater than
Ravenspur's. The yelled lights shone
through palm and fern. Inc sultry evening
seemed to be rendered cooler by the muir
muir of the fountains. 1t was possible to
sit there and see the fish darling hither
and thither, so that the effect of being
woods was complete. A tall. fair woman.
marvelously attired. was languidly singing
the praises of the place to her host
There is nothing ike IT, she sa' d. 1T
same effect In America, but, somehow or
another. it seems artificial. wanting
In repose. You the most fortunate of
individuals, Lord Ravenspur.
so my friends tell me- Ravenspur
smiled. But you must not always judge
by appearances
If his guest only knew. Ravenspur
thought. If she could only guess what his
feelings We're at that moment. The beauty
OF the place had been delight to him at
one time. He had enjoyed the planning
and building but now he would have
changed it for the meancst cottage, If only
he could approach to peace and comfort
thereby. The house seemed full of OinenS.
Danger seemed to Turk everywhere. No
doubt these banks of palms behind the
water gave a charming effect to the hall,
but then assassin might have hidden
behind them, for they afforded plenty of
cover. The genial smile was still on
Ravenspur's face. No one would have
guessed the gray tenor of his thoughts.
Even the pretty woman by his side had no
idea how anxiously he was watching the
clock in the gallery.
Meanwhile, the guests fitted from place
click of the balls in the billiard room.
Somebody was playing brilliant music in
the drawing room. Usually, Ravenspur's
guests were 10th to leave. and tonight was
no exception to the rule; but presently
they began to drift away, until, at length,
Ravenspur was alone.
He heaved a deep sigh Of relief He rose
and turned in the direction Of the studio
AS he did so slim. white figure came
down the broad stairs and Vera Rayne
stood before him. She was looking her
very best tonight. There was an extra
dash Of color in her cheeks, sparkle in
her eyes, The look that Ravenspur turned
upon her was half affectionate and half
sad.
you did very we'll tonight" he said,
considering this Is the first time you have
done me the honor to act hostess to my
guests. You played your part quite to the
manner born. Vera. We shall have no oc-
casion to call in the services Of Lady Ring
mar any more. You will find yourself para
graphed in the papers now"
Vera did not appear to be listening Her
beautiful face had a grave look upon 1t
now. She hesitated for moment before
she spoke. There was no hurry about her
words, but Ravenspur could not fail to see
that she was palpably
1T will not be for long, then" she said.
my dear guardian, can l have few mo-
ments' conversation with your 1t Is not so
very late and one SO seldom gets an OPP
portunity."
How grave you are" Ravenspur smiled.
I'VE will go as far as the library, If you
like, and then l can smoke cigar and
listen to your weighty utterances. Come
along"
1t was coy enough in the library, and
much more inviting of condolences than the
Ravenspur threw himself back in an arm
chair and lighted cigar. Then he s:gni-
fled to Vera to proceed Her lips were
trembling now. Something bright and dia-
mond-like twinkled under her lashes.
You have been very kind to me-, she
said unsteadily.
Have really. my dear? Nothing out of
the common. l am sure. And what have
done? Given you good education and
found you a comfortable home; and from
first to last you have never caused me
moments anxiety. I have become as fond
Of you as If you were my own child. 1t
will be genuine grief to me when the
right man comes along and takes you away
from here"
"There is not much fear Of that" Vera
smiled wistfully. "Of course. you may
think ungrateful. You may say that 1
am showing a great deal OF dissatistac-
my dear girl. you are not dissatisfied.
surely?'
Il am afraid I am. You see, things can
in such a fashion. but the time has come
when 1 must speak. All these years you
have been showering benefits upon me-
You have been treating me as If 1 were
your own flesh and blood The money
alone that l must have cost you Is enor
nous. and, SO far as 1 know, have not a
penny"
You win have when I die" Ravenspur
said lightly.
"Oh, please don't talk like that; 1t makes
my task all the more difficult. 1 have real
lied for long time now that cannot stay
here. a dependent on your bounty. l can
never feel sufficiently grateful for what you
have done for me In the past. could not
possibly put my feelings into words. but
have made up my mind that must get my
own living in the future. 1t is very hard
thing to say, but am going to leave you
Did anybody ever hear anything SO fool
ish?' Ravenspur cried why, this Is your
home. Is it your fault that you are utter
~ incapable or getting your own living!
When brought you here-a child in arms
gave your father a solemn assurance that
you should be my own daughter in future.
l have made provision for you in my Will.
Some day you will be rich, as things go.
And now you talk Of leaving me in this
cold-blooded fashion. Don't you see that
cannot do without you? But let me try
and touch that gratitude OF which you
spoke. Surely, after watching over you SO
carefully all these years, you are not going
to leave me at the very moment when you
can make something like an adequate re-
turn? You are practically mistress Of the
house now. and my welfare is entirely in
your hands. Need 1 say any more after
that?'
"Oh, you try me sorely,' Vera cried, and
yet my path is quite plain. Even at the
risk of mourning your dspleasure ! cannot
remain here. And now l come to the point.
Before 1 go 1 want you to tell me who
am. and who my parents are"
Yes, / think you have right to know
that" Ravenspur said thoughtfully; but,
If you don't mind, we will not go into that
tonight 1t Is too late and the story Is too
long. Believe me, you will be the happier
for asking no questions. There is dark
tragedy behind your young life which Is
now forgotten, and l am perfectly sure you
would bitterly regret it If you stirred the
scandal up again. Let sleeping dogs lie,
Vera Be content to know that you are Of
good family and leave the rest alone