Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-10-13

would change an angel, If one were so fool ish as to fall in love with a fckle woman and wreck one's life over & card table"
 Lady Blanche shuddered as she noted the bloodshot eyes and flushed face of Gerard Ransforll.
 "Th res hot altercation between two men in a fierce passion" whispered the phantom as 1t drew Lady Blanche to one side of the room.
 Two men had arisen from their seats and were now Gesticulating violently, and they were soon joined by n fashionRbly dressed lady.
 marked the phantom to Lady Blanche.
 Alas, yesr' she replied. The tall man Is Gerard Ransford and the other Count de Lornais, and the lady But here Lady Blanche hesitAted.
 "Is Phryne Marland." said the phantom, completing Lady BlanChe's unfinished sen tence.
 The quarrel remarked the phantom, will not end here. There will be duel at some quiet spot early in the morning."
 Oh, heaven! Not a duel, pray!" cried Lady Blanche, clasplng 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 gash laying bare the counts cheek bone. For both their honors' sake they are bound to fight"
 It 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 n group of men were standing to gether.
 Tt is the duel" whispered the phantom to Lady Blanche, which foretold would happen. You know the principals well enough.
 "Alasl yea" she replied, sadly. Count de I.ornais and Gerard Ransforl!' Watch them,' said the phantom. A duel to the death is pretty sight and q game in which Freuchmen excel"
 Lady Blanche trembled from head to foot and held her cambric handkerchief 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 Cad seen the two duelists facing each other. One was now prost rate on the ground, with his head rest ing on lady's breast. Lady Blanche made an effort to rush forward, but was prevent Cd by the ever watchful phantom.
 She looked again and saw that the wound ed man was Gerard Ransforl 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 q weeping woman by his side.
 How terribly griA stricken they are" remarked Lady Blanche, and much changed since last saw them!''
 Naturally so," replied the phantom. Persons such as they are certain to grievc over the death of an only son, whom you remember 10 have seen after he had re ceived his death wound on the sands by the sea, near the castle of old Monaco"
 "Alas yes, replied Lady Blanche, sigh ing sadly.
 Lady Blanche sobbed cunvulsivelv
 For her the world was cold and dreary, with uo bright promise of joys and pleas urrs 10 csme, and when her mind reverted to the past what was there for her fondest memory To dwell upon? Naught but the remembrance of loving kiss-the kiss which Gerarl Ransford had imprinted on her lips
 Vixen she looked back through the dim vista of years passed away, the one oasis there was that solitary kiss Take that from her. and her life was blank indeed, and without one joy worth memory's cherishing.
 She felt d. one to whom human love was denied, as if the power to love, which once was hers. now kay buried in the clay cold grave with Gerard RanSfopl.
 Her dream was over. and she awoke with trrnulOus cry upon her lips and glanced around expecting to find the phantom by her couch, but only the pale moonbeams streamed through the chamber window and lay upon the floor, and by their soft rays Lady Blanche saw that she was alone She arose au,. knelt upon the floor and iu heartfelt prayer thanked the Father of all mercies that the dreadful scene she had witnessed on the sands by the sea near the castle of old Monaco was but the shadow of dream, and she rejoiCed that she was taught to know herself at last.
 From that night Lady Blanche was an altered human being. and her friends mar veled at the change and wondered by what magic spell the good was wrought.
 The sequel may best be told by para graph from The Morning Post:
 "A marriage has been arranged between Lady Blanche Narley, only daughter of the Earl and Countess of Rivenham and Lieu tenant Gerard Ransford of the Tenth hus- sars and will take place early in the spring of the coming year. '-ENchanSe