Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-04-25
CHAPTER XII (Continued)
Wherein Both the Reef and Mr..
Raymond Yield Information


ances, and twice she held back. She could
not know that Raymond had forged his
thunderbolt with no slight skill. He could
not hope to achieve the final effect he
aimed at by merely revealing secret that
was no secret. Close observation had
shown that the girl was we'll aware of
the relationship she bore to Mrs. Carmac,
and, although she might be a prey to ter
ror and dsmay at finding the knowledge
in possession of a comparative stranger,
she would hardly do other than resent his
interference resent it too with good
deal of spirit and hot Indignation.
He contrived therefore to combine in
nuendo with fact. He had counted the
cost. He had played desperate game.
During the next five minutes he must
have in Yvonne either a determined OPP
ponent or subservient if unwilling ally.
There could be no half measures. If his
suit was spurned, he must attach himself
forthwith to Rupert Fosdyke's fortunes.
If Yvonne wavered, or was cowed, he
would strike a telling blow through her
mother. No matter how the issue tended,
he was sure of a humping reward.
Once more the hazard of the hour
seemed to be with him. Yvonne, almost
tongue-tied and wholly bewidered, could
only falter brokenly, Having said so
much, you cannot stop now. What do
you mean When you say that Mrs. Car
mac is in danger?"
He managed to throw an emotional vi
bration into his voice. For the moment
the man was a consummate actor; though
indeed he had so much at stake that an
extraordinary effort was called for
THANK you, he said, apparently CROP
ing in fog of doubt. and forcing an UNI
willing parade of unpalatable and dis
tressing facts. at is something gained
to feel that you have suspended judg-
ment. You may or may not know
already that Mrs. Carmac is your mother.
ask you to admit nothing: only to hear
and weigh my statements dispassionately.
Eighteen years ago your mother deserted
you and your father in Paris. For some
reason Mrs. Ingersoll married Carmac in
her maiden name two years later. None
of her associates ever guessed that the
beautiful and distinguished Stella For
dyce had been the wife of an unknown
artist. Her secret was safe with your
father 1t would have gone to the grave
with her but for the wreck of the yacht
on Breton reef. Really, one might
almost see the action of Providence in
please spare me any references of that
sort!" broke in Yvonne. She could endure
much; but she was not compelled to suffer
this hypocritical scoundrel's blasphemy.
Forgive me, he said. "The thought
has been so constantly in my mind of
late that it came unbidden. But you
leave me no choice. must speak plainly,
almost brutally. Let Rupert Fosdyke OBJ
tain the faintest shadow of the unques-
tionable facts, and he will not only drive
your mother forth a pauper, but put such
complexion on the facts that she will be
disgraced forever among her equals.
"Disgraced! Why? People are not dis
graced because they obtain divorce ac-
cordng to the laws of their own country
mo; but they are punished severely if
they offend against the social code. Mrs.
Carmac's offense is against British law.
She can't deny it. The first person who
lodges an information can upset her hus-
bands will. Deprived of his money and
its influence, what becomes of her?'
Yyonne stood i'm the road as though