The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1896-05-16

II seemed. indeed, that Frank was
dead. His face was rigid, and though
Constance spoke 10 him imploringly again
and again. he did not seem 10 hear her.
He lay cold and motiouleSs as stone. W 10
with terror, she placed her hand upon his
heart; it seemed to have stopped beating.
The awful stiffness Of the room suddenly
became oppressivo-she gasped as II Tor
air; she staggered to the door rs II to pro
cure aSsistlnce-she opened the door ana
fell Ike a stone.
When she opened her eyes Alice Grey
brook was bending over her. After one
wild look in her friends face, Constance
staggered to her feet and gaZed wildly
around.
"Constance.' cried Alice ''for heaven, :
sake what is the matter? | did not reach
the marquis house until very late, and l
found that he had gone to the ball. Con
stance, what is the natter
The matter"' cried Constance. On
Alice, Iook!'
TREMENDOUSLY clingjng to her Constance
dragged her into the room. and to the sid"
of the couch where Frank was lying,
With a cry Alice started back.
"A man." she said-thcn, recognizing
him. She added with a shudder, Lord
Harrington.
YES. said Constance. still holding her
tightly by the arm, 1T is Frank. Look
at him, Alice, quickly. Has he tainted
Is he asleep: Look
Conquering her terror Alice bent for
ward and touched his face and hands;
then She reverently drew back
He is dead" she said.
"Now cried Constance, clutching Wild
Il at her friend; not dead! 1t is false
it cannot be. Heaven would not be So
cruel.
Suddenly Alice started, went to the
window. and looked out. When she turn
ed again to Constance her face was rs
white as that of the man lying upon the
couch.
1T is carriage coming up the street,
she said. IF it should be the duke! Con
stance, if. as you say. this is trap, 1t
must be the duke. and he Will Kill YOU
4 moment later knock and a voice
without cried:
Open quckly!'
Without more ado. Alice opened the
door and the newcomer entered the room
1t was Mr.. Feyeral.
Pardon my intrusion at this hour OF
the night" he said. but l come on urG
ent business. The duke
lis he with YOU" asked Constance.
"He will follow almost Immediately.
"Your messaGcE'
as simple | come 10 warn YOU
Indeed" she answered with a bitter
smile, even you come too late. Let Us
understand each other, Mr. Feveral, "
she continued, while Alice stood trem-
hIingly by I am the Duchess d AZzeg-
10 and YOU arc the dukes spy. The duke
departure for France was Il pretense, your
coming here tonight is a ruSe. Well. sir
your work is done; we have fallen into the
trap which You and your master laid fol
Us. You have secured one yictim-Iook"
She pointed to the couch on which
Frank was lying. Feveral started with {
cry
The Earl OF Harrington-d ead:"
"YeS. dead" repeated Constance, VIII,
seemed to have turned t. stone. Brought
here by your masters deviItry. Will,
still weak from his wounds he tainted
and-died. Now, 90 10 the duke, oling
him here to look upon his WORT. l an pre-
pared 10 meet him"
Madam, You wrong me- said Feyera
( earnestly AS l am a living man my
wish is not to betray. but to save YOU
"Constancc,' cried Alice, clinging t
her. trust this gentleman. and DO as h,
. advises l believe he is your friend"
And if l trust him what then? Thh
is the chamber Of death. My husband
will soon return and find
Leave that t. me" said Feycral. II,
took off his travelling cloak and covered
the body, which lay there looking :,
i.