The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-08-15
Continued from Yesterday,

or them came from Maggie. They bore
the Como postmark, which his mother
nat evidently not noticed. He knew
what they contained-urgent prayers
that she might come to England to be
acknowledged as his wife. A deep
shadow seemed to fall over the fair
smiling landscape.
There Is nothing of in
tnem.' he said, ~thrusting the letters in
to his pocket. II will read them later
on"
How beautiful the mere looks from
here!" observed Lady Carew.
He was impatient and angry-so
angry that he could not speak civilly.
He raised his head quickly. He felt
that he must contradict some one.
The mere?" he said. II do not agree
with you, mother. If I had my own
way. I would have it filled up and have
a grassy knoll in its place crowned with
trees"
They were idle words-he had forgot
ten them five minutes afterward; but,
so far as his mother was concerned, no
idle wish was ever left unfulfIled. She
Immediately resolved that the alteration
should be made the next time he left
home. 1t would be a pleasant surprise
for him.
Lady Gladys said nothing, but thought
he was mistaken. Nothing, in her opin-
ion, was more beautiful than the glim-
mer Of water through forest trees.
Every word of tho conversation came
back to her afterward.
Pushing the letters still deeper into his
pocket that he might forget them, If
possible, the more easily, Sir Carlos re-
pented of his ill-humor. What right
had he to vent it on the pretty mere OF
on his loving mother? In a sudden fl
of conjunction he bent and kissed heI
hand.
Lady Gladys would like to see the
| whole interior of the house, mother:
shall we spend the morning in showing
1t to her?"
Lady Carew assented. They went
through the modern part Of the building
first, and then through the state-rooms
in the eastern wing. Sir Carlos made
himself so agreeable, and vas such an
entertaining companion, that Lady
Gladys was charmed and his mother
prouder than eve of him. For a time
he forgot the great trouble of his life.
There is a curious room here" he
said to Lady Gladys when they were in
the eastern wing, "called the Venetian
room. One of my ancestors, about two
hundred years ago, married a Venetian
lady. a beautiful creature. Her portrait
hangs in his room; and the apartment
is fitted throughout In Venetian fash
ion. | will show you some rare e
tian ~curiosities."
The closed shutters were thrown wide
open, and Lady Gladys found herself in
q magnificent room with a painted cell
ing.
Sir Carlos went up to an old cabinet
that stood in one corner of the room.
Lady Blanca Carew brought this
with her from Venice" he said. DO
YOU see how magnificently 1t is inlaid?
II is full of drawers which hold the an
Gent treasures of Lady Blanca" \
81 should like to see them said
Lady Gladys, eagerly.
Your wish can soon be gratifed," an
swered Sir Carlos.
He turned the key that was in the
lock and opened the outer door.
what beautiful little drawers" ex-
claimed Lady Gladys. And they are
hNa
all fully
Examine them for yourself" said
Sir Carlos.
One by one Lady Gladys pulled out
the Some were filed with old
fashioned fligree-work; In n lay q
silver crucihx set with precious stones;
another contained amber. another
faded r~ose-leaves. others beautiful
- ta.t IraxtFo, in tho ROW
disclosed a small ring-case locked with
a tiny key.
"What is that?" asked Lady Carew.
Sir Carlos opened it slowly.
This" he said, sis the Venetian ring.
1t was one of Lady Bianca's heirlooms.
what is there remarkable in it?'
asked Lady Carew. ut looks like a
plain ruby ring
''There is death in it," he replied.
do not touch it. / do not like to see
II in your hands, mother. Underneath
this ruby is ~poison-the most deadly
poison known. Press the spring, and a
thick, dark liquid wells up"
How horrible!' cried Lady Gladys;
and the ladies' stood looking at 1t as
though fascinated.
he ring that lay in the purple
velvet case had nothing uncommon
about it. II was a broad band of gold
with a large ruby in the centre.
'How do you press the spring."
asked Lady Gladys, breaking the
silence.
81 do not know" he answered, "but
[ will ook through the records again
and tell you"
eff 1 were you. Carlos" said Lady
Carew. II would bIeak 1t up. 1t makes
me feel uncomfortable TO kno there Is
such a thing in the house. | would
destroy It,"
81 hardly like to do that" he re-
Joined. "You see it is a valuable heir
loom. No. ] will not destroy 1t. 1t
win be quite safe here. 1t has lain
here 200 years"