Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1896-06-17
CHAPTER XVI.

The next day was a weary one for Con-
stance, it seemed to her that night would
never come. At 8 o'clock Constance
asked her maid if the duke was at homo
The girl answered in the negative.
"YOu can leave me-" said Constance,
and do not disturb me again tonight"
She looked at the great bronze clock
which stood upon her chimney piece. 1t
was near the hour she had named, yet she
was still In her room, trembling like q
criminal waiting to hear her doom. Well.
there was no further time to be lost; she
must either go or stay, and she resolved
70 SO. She hurriedly fastened on her
bonnet and cloak. and descended the
stairs.
Once outssde. she sped along with the
fwiftness OF hunted hare. At length
she reached the trysting place. Suddenly
her heart gave a great leap, for her eyes
fell on her cousin A moment after their
eyes met. He came forward with but lit
tie eaGerness. but Constance seized his
hand and burst into teara
At last they had met and the hours
seemed minutes. 1t grew late, the crowds
In the streets were getting smaller and
smaller, but Constance and Frank still
sat side by side on n seat in the park.
They We're silent, all had been said that
could be said, all doubt and suspicion had
been uprotted from his heart; and now
for one little hour they put the present
from their minds and had over again
those happy hours of their early love.
1T Is very late" she said. 70 Frank. I
must go home"
Constance" he cried, 'for heavens
sake, don't tell me you are going back to
that mani"
"You forget. Frank. that man Is my
husband"
"YOur husband!' he cried scornfully. "a
man who has tricked and deceived your
who cares for you no more than he does
for the hound which follows him-you will
go back to him. COnstance?'
"Why not, Frank?-I have married
him."
IAN oath extracted by lie Is not bind
ing" said Frank. Come, listen to me;
you will leave this mans house. Go back
to Avondale Castle; then at least we can
be cousins, if nothing more"
As he spoke a form stood between him
and his cousin. 1t was the Duke d'A zzes-
lio.
"Pardon me for interrupting you." said
the duke with mock politeness, wSile
Frank and his cousin stood dumb, "but
az think il is rather late for my duchess
to be abroad will have the pleasure Of
conducting her home"
The whole affair had taken place 10
suddenly that the figures Of husband and
wife had faded into the darkness before
Frank had fully recovered from the sur
prise caused by the sudden appeapa Of
the duke.
But early the next morning he received
q letter from his cousin.
MY Dear Frank" she wrotet"I am
sending this to implOre you to leave Eng
land for my sake, if not for your own.
Your presence In London h fraught with
much danger to as both. Try to forget
me, and if you cannot, remember always
that my husband stands between us. He
was warned of my meeting with you last
night, and followed me.
CONSTANCE"
Meanwhile. what had taken place be-
tween the duke and ais wife?
NO one knew. At midnight Feveral had
seen them enter the duchess boudoir
About half an hour later the duke came
forth looking cruelty angry. but no one
saw the duchess that night. The next
day, however. Feveral met her. He bow
ed low; she did not respond, but drew
her self up and passed him by, rs if there
was contamination in his very touch.
A few days later Alice Greybrook, In
answer to the piteous appeal of her friend.
came TO pay q long visit to Constance.
For several weeks after this the duke
and duchess were seldom seen together.
The duke was a busy man, and had little
time to devote to society, but on every
festive occasion of any note he sent his
duchess to represent him. She went, ac-
cOmpanied always by Alice GreybrOOk,
and often the two were escorted by Few.
eral. Constance did not refuse the secre-
tary's escort since 1t had been commanded
by the duke. but she never addressed him.
Suddenly, urgent business called the duke
to Madrid. He went alone, leaving Con-
stance in London.