Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1893-10-20

land. where the impenetrable dome of the
skies above was of a soft deep azure, with
out a heck of cloud upon the horizon, and
where the violet tingcd sea beat musically
against n flower crowned shore, and the
walks were lined with orange trees in bios
som, and magnolias beautifed the hedges
with their pure white flowers. She followed
the phantom through grove of palm trees
and into garden of lemon scented gera-
NUNS, every one six feet high, and then
down an avenue of myrtles, and everywhere
the balmy air was perfumed with the sweet
scent of flowers.
They halted in front of a large white
building, into which many persons, both
men and women, streamed, and on all their
faces Lady Blanche observed the same
eager, anxious and cruel expression.
Lady Blanche glanced inquiringly at the
phantom.
YES" it said in answer to the lady's
thought this is Monte Carlo and that is
the Casino"
They now entered large room, where
many persons were seated round the tables
~ perceive" said the phantom, that you
recognize some of the gamesters."
How changed he isl'' remarked Lady
Blanche as she glanced into the face of
Gerard Ransford.
ly. Delighted hopes and gambling losses
would change an angel, if one were so fool
ish as to fall in love with a tickle woman
and wreck ones life over a card table"
Lady Blanche shuddered as she noted the
bloodshot eyes and flushed face of Gerard
Ransford.
"There's a hot alteration between two
men in fierce passion" whispered the
phantom as it drew Lady Blanche to one
side of the room.
Two men had arisen from their seats and
were now gesticuatng violently, and they
were soon joined by fashionably dressed
lady.
II think you know these persons" re-
marked the phantom to Lady Blanche.
ALAS, yesl" she replied. The tall man
is Gerard Ransford and the other Count
de Lornais, and the LADY, But here Lady
Blanche hesitated.
as Phryne Marland," said the phantom,
completing Lady Blanche's unfinished SEN
tenCe.
1.-The quarrel" remarked the phantom,
twill not end here There will be duel
at some quiet spot early in the morning"
"Oh, heaven Not duel pray' cried
Lady Blanch", clasping her hands together
Yes, said the phantom, nothing less
will satisfy the count Ransford, as you
are aware, is an officer of the English
army, and he has struck the count a ter
rible blow. Look at the cash laying bare
the counts cheekbone. For both their
honors sake they are bound to fight"
1t was early morning on the sands by the
murmuring sea, and the white crested
waves followed one another increasingly,
and old Monaco's castle looked down from
the rock above. In this quiet and secluded
spot a group of men were standing to-
gether.
at is the duel" whispered the phantom
to Lady Blanche, (which foretold would
happen. You know the principals well
enough"
"Alasl yes" she replied, sadly Count
de Lornais and Gerard RansfordW
Watch them" said the phantom. IA
duel to the death is a pretty sight and q
game in which Frenchmen excel"
Lady Blanche trembled from head to foot
and held her cambria handk erchef before
her eyes.
She was startled by the loud report OF
pistols, and taking the handkerchief from
her eyes she glanced toward the spot where
only a moment ago she had seen the two
duelists facing each other. One was now
PROSTATE on the ground, with his head rest
ing on a ladys breast. Lady Blanche made
an effort to rush forward, but was prevent
ed by the ever watchtul phantom.
She looked again and saw that the wound
ed man was Gerard Ransford, and the lady
kneeling down, supporting him in her arms
was Phryne Marland.
The scene suddenly changed to a draw
ing room in London mansion, wherein
was an old gray haired man and "a weeping
woman by his side.
"How terribly grief stricken they are,
remarked Lady Blanche and mucl
changed since | last saw theml'
Naturally So" replied the phantom
persons such us they are certain to griev.
over he death of an only son, whom yoI
remember to have seen after he had re
ceived his death wound on the sands by tn,
sea, near the castle of old Monaco"
ALAS! yes" replied Lady Blanche, sigh
ing sadly.
Lady Blanche sobbed convulsively.
= For her the world was cold and dreary
with no bright promise of joys and pleas
ures to come, and when her mind reverted
to the past what was there for her fondes
memory to dwell upon? Naught but tn
remembrance of loving kiss-the kis
g which Gerard Ransford had imprinted OF
her lips
r When she looked back through the din
1 vista of years passed away, the one oasi
t there was that solitary kiss Take tina
from her, and her life was blank indeed
i and without one Joy worth memory
5 cherishing.
y She felt as one to whom human love wa
e denied, as if the power to love, which one
was hers, now lay buried in the clay coll
2 grave with Gerard Ransford.
L Her dream was over, and she awoke wit
|, tremulous cry upon her lips and glance
around expecting to find the phantom b
s her couch, but only the pale moonbeam
S streamed through the chamber windoy
= and lay upon the floor, and 10y their sof
|, rays Lady Blanche saw that sAe was alone
o She arose aud knelt upon the floor and i
It heartfelt prayer thanked the Father of a
n mercies that the dreadful scene she ha
It witnessed on the sands by the sea near tn
$ ,astle of old Monaco was but the shado'
|, If "A dream, and she rejoiced that she wa
G. Taught to know herself at last
If From that night Lady Blanche was a
l. altered human being, and her friends ma
veled at the change and wondered by wha
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