Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1896-04-16

easiness vanished; the duke was so cour-
teOus, so kind,
She said to him one day. ssI once did
you a wrong-in thought. ask vour
pardon. You are very good. am sure
or you would not be so forgiying. So
kind to me-"
Ihe duke looked at her. She was sit
tlng IN large armchair near the open
window, the moonlight was streaming in.
making her pale face still paler.
II 1 could make you happy" he said,
Il should be content"
Make me happy?" repeated the girl.
L do not think there is any happiness in
this world"
Lady Constance" said the duke, grave
~, pray pardon me if 1 mention a sub
lect Which may be painful one to you.
have heard that you are attached to your
cousin
She did not answer him, but, with a
shudder, she covered her eyes with her
hand.
May l ask, pursued the duke, quietly,
II your cousin rs poor MANI"
He is not RICH" said Constance.
You are doubtless aware" said the
duke, watching her quietly from between
the halfclosed lids of his eyes, ''that I
am rich beyond the desire of any man, and
could easily spare half of my wealth, and
| will. if by so doing 1 can secure your
happiness.
Il do not understands
Il mean | will make your cousin a rich
man, and then l suppose you would be-
come his wife,"
Become his wife?-no, never. You do
not understand, sir, when you talk like
that. l and my cousin can never be more
than cousins-We can never be man and
wife"
''You do not wish to marry him?'
''No, do not wish it,
The duke was about to reply when the
door opened and servant entered with
letter for Lady Constance. One glance
at it and the blood flowed back to her
heart. 1t was from Frank Howarth.
''Will you excuse me?" she said, family.
The duke bowed, and led her from the
room. Constance hurried to her boudoir,
tore open the letter and read:
"My Darling Constance-Your letter
has driven me mad. In heavens name
what does it all mean? Not that you do
not love me. l will never believe that
but that some evil influence has come be-
tween us, and you have listened. / am
here helpless, and in danger of losing YOU
/ should ask my father to come to you,
but | know he would be turned from the
door of Ayondale Castle. II l am to lose
YOU, perhaps heaven will be merciful and
let the next bullet lay me low; if l escape
be sure that [ shall come to you, and ask
for the fulfllment of your promise. For
PHYS sake, my Constance, write to me
and tell me have had horrible dream.
FRANK"
All that night she scarcely closed her
eyes, the next day she went out to walk
in Avondale Park. She had not proceed
ed far when she was startled by sudden
rustling of the boughs. She looked about
her; the sound of footsteps fell upon her
ear; a figure approached her; it was the
Duke d'Azzeglio.
II was on my way to the Castle" said
the duke, taking her hand, when l saw
YOU coming toward the park, and fol-
lowed. / have something to say to you,
Lady Constance; shall l say it now, or
defer it till some future timer?
''As you please"
",Then I will say it now. Last night,
after you had retired, 1 spoke for while
with Mrs. Meason. l told her you were
pale and sad, and needed change. She
agreed with me; change to Spain might
be beneficial; therefore, 1 place my house
entirely at your disposal. Only say yes,
and l will bid my servants prepare as II
for the reception of queen.
He spoke eagerly and quickly, and hxed
his dark eyes upon her with a strange
MERGING glance. The girl shook her head.
"You are good" she said, but l would
rather remain at Avondale.'
TO no Tortured
nv sights and memories which wiring
your heart and make your young life pur-
oatory? You were not born to waste your
I;fa in solitude; you were made to rule as
s,,ralv rs n star in heaven is made to
shine"
..Pray do not speak SO if we are to re-
main friends"
"NIv child he said, "what YOU offer
mo is not friendship The Office of 4 friend
is a sacred one, and means much. \
friend should console and help; you refuse
to let me do either
because cannot. There are certain
things which even friend cannot under
stand and sorrows which cannot be shar-
ed. You offer to be my friend. i VIII
accept your offer, if you will not demand
confidence I cannot give.
81 accept the condition." replied the
duke. And now, Lady Constance, may
walk with you back to the Castle:
She bowed. and they passed on, keeping
, to the avenue of beech trees.
Scarcely had they gone hundred yards
when man emerged from the shadow of
the trees and stood fixing his eyes upon
| the retreating figure OF the duke.
The stranger was mlddle-aseu man,
| evidently n gentleman, though his clothes
wore m ggeI and travel-stained; and when
he moved he linped, as if his feet were
! Mustered with the WORKOUT shoes he wore.
$50" he said, y have found my gentle
nan at lasf, May imprudence dance at
tendance ON revenge, and to aid my pur-
nose, I have waited patiently for years:
+ have crossed the world in pursuit OF
him have followed him from land to
- - o,r un are TO meet Keep