Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1896-04-09

been coveted by many great ladies. Well,
Constance, what did you say?"
What did say? Dear grandma, what
could | say? told him could never re-
spond to his wishes"
And he accepted his dismissal?'
Far from. it. My refusal made him
urge his suit the more. And now you will
allow me to tell the duke that am en-
gagged to Frank, and then he will cease to
pursue me-"
She paused; but no answer came. The
old lady's face was as white as that of q
corpse-her hands opened and shut con-
vulsively, her breath came in short, quick
pants.
Grandma" cried the girl, "what is the
matter? Is there more trouble-more
misery?''
Trouble? yes, if you make it; misery !!
if you will. Constance, you must marry
the Duke d'Azzeglio."
Marry the duke? Am not bound to
Frank?"
''No. On the very day he left told
him I would not have you bound. l told
him his proposition was a cowardly one,
worthy only of his fathers son."
ellis fathers son! Do you hate Frank
because he bears his fathers names"
For moment the old lady hesitated;
her pale cheek fushed her features were
strangely contracted; with an effort she
controlled herself, and quietly took the
girls hand.
Constance, my child" she said, 'you
have often asked me to show you the room
where your poor mother died. will show
| it you tonight"
She took up small oil lamp and walk
| ed from room to room, followed by Con.
! stance They passed along the corridors,
| pausing at length before door which
| had not been opened for years. Mrs
Meason unlocked the door and stood IN
| the middle of the floor, looking YEARLY
about her.
"Come in,'' she said; "come in, my
| child, and look at the room. Constance,
| look at that bed; for weeks and weeks
your mother lay there, neglected and
alone, dying of broken heart. When she
was dead / took you in my arms, ana
kneeling beside that bed and looking into
her sweet face, all white and cold, l sWore
that you should avenge her!'
"Avenge her! How could do that
| You say my poor mother died of broken
heart? I know it; Frank has told me; II
was my father who killed her."
"Your father? He told you that? Then
I spoke wisely when l said he was his
| fathers son. AS your mother was de-
ceived, he would deceive eyou. Your
mother. as he said, was cruelty murdered
| but it was not your father who killed
| her!''
''Not my father?'
"Your father had brother who hated
him because he was the elder son, and IN
herited the title which would otherwise
have descended to himself and his heirs
| Your father married, and from that mo
ment the family, headed by this man, de-
termined to hunt your mother down."
ooh! this is terrible"
/ 81 hated them ALL but most of all
hated one man, he who had prosecuted
nv child through life, and drove her tt
her grave. That man, Constance, now
bears your fathers title-he is the Ear
of Harrington-FrankH owarth's father!
| s'Frank's father! he killed my mother!
'He broke your mothers heart"
ooh, grandma, it can't be true; there
must be some fatal misconceptions
."There is no mistake. His father hunt
ed your mother into her grave. Witt
her dying lips she, the gentlest creature
I on EARTH cursed his very NAME"
''But where was my father that he sui
fered this?"
''Your father, Constance, was an ole
man, an invalid, entirely under the infu
ence of his brother, who is now a misera
BILE man with barren coronet, which il
stained with your mothers blood"
II cannot believe it. Frank knows
nothing of this, and his father, who, yol
say, behaved so UNANIMOUSLY, is quite will
ing that I should become Franks wife.
''Shall I tell you why? It is because
he knows Frank is penniless and that 70,
will inherit my wealth. The man who
killed the mother now pursues the daugh
ter: but while I have strength to prevent
it. my money shall not go to enrich the
son of a man who killed my beloved
child!''
Half an hour later Mrs. Meason wen
in search of Lady Constance's maid. Hav
ing reused her, she led her to the deserted
room in the west wing, where they fount
| Constance lying in a fainting fit upo1
| the floor.
| CTo be continuedl