Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1896-07-01

I 1rausht which Alice pressed upon her,
| and very soon sunk into n deep sleep.
| When she recovered her senses it was
broad day; she lay still listening. but
could not hear sound. What had hap
sened, how long had she been lying therei I
Had those strange events really taken
place in the night, or was it all q wild
dream?
She rose languidly and entered the ad.
fOining room. Trembling violently, she
turned her eyes toward the couch. Scarce
iy knowing what she did, she rushed for.
ward to raise the cloak and look again
upon Franks dead face-when q mystic
riOus and OBTAINING hand was laid upon
her arm, and looking up, she saw her hus
band.
Yes, it was indeed the duke, pale. cold
and stern as usual. At sight of him Con.
! stance uttered a cry.
You hereT she exclaimed.
"As You perceive" he returned. "But
you are pale. / have startled you. You
lid not expect to see me SO sOOnY'
mo. did not" she answered, mechan.
Ically.
II had not gone far from London" con-
dnued the duke, carelessly, "when it Oc.
Cured to me that had forgotten Other
business Of an even more pressing nature
than that which hurried me away.
FASTENED back. I am here to give you
an agreeable SURPRISE and myself the un.
expected felicity of your society"
| IL cannot listen nOw," exclaimed
Constance, wildly. II cannot stay here
| ~
But the duke, the expression of who's
face had grown strangely forbidding. lai
| OBTAINING hand upon her.
'You must stay" he said. "Let me
| quest you to remain seated, madam, an
listen to me. A certain husband pretend
| ed to leave home. In his absence his wifi
received her lover. Imagine their rapture
Feveral, are you listeningY for the Ia
ter had softly entered the room.
I ivy lord, I am all attention"
| Returning unexpectedly" continue
the duke, ''the husband found his wifi
Temporarily absent and the lover stretch
ed insensible on couch. He touched til.
sleeping man and found him dead"
With a half f-smothered cry, Constance
rose from her seat, and again staggered
few steps toward the door. but the
duke detained her.
ty spy. who Vas devoted to him, to carry
the dead man forth and leave him near
his own door. The police, on recovering
the body, would think he had died there
and not here"
He paused; with a wild cry Constance
tottered to the couch, and lifted the cloak.
The body was gone.
AL restraint departed now. With a
shudder, Constance dropped the cloak
and turned to her husband, who, pale
with passion, was quietly regarding her..
| "Oast away into the streetsi" she cried.
wildly, ''by you"
NO. returned the duke, 'by a trusty
spy and servant"
| "And you have murdered him." she
cried; perhaps he was not dead, add
| 'In any case should have killed himv'
returned the duke. "Still, having regard
to the honor Of my house. and wishing to
avoid q public scandal"
"You have dOubly murdered him." she
cried. "He did not come here of his own
free will, but through a lying message
from you. You have killed him; am the
most guilty; kill me, too. 1 am your wife
in name only, for loved my cousin With
all my heart and soul"
In a fit Of ungovernable fury, the duke
rushed upon her, when suddenly a firm
hand was laid upon his arm, and a voice
said:
"Stay."
The duke turned fercely and looked
into the eyes of Feveral, who, perfectly
self-possessed, continued to hold his arr
firmly, and turned to speak to the duchess
Madam" he said in a clear, calm
voice, trouble yourself to utter no more
self-accusations; you are as pure as snow,
and you will live. My lord duke," he
added, "stand aside, please. I object to
your harming this lady!
| "Are you mad ?" cried the duke, aghast.
"You shall Judge of that later: but be-
fore give any account Of myself, let me
inform this lady that the Duke d'Azzes-
lilo, who Is 80 covetous of his honor. is ne
other than"
"Silence." cried the duke. "Sir, come
with me-" then turning to the duchess.
he added: MADAM, will return later.
and finish what I have to say to you.'
Without another word the two men
passed out Of tho boudoir and went to the
dukes study.
"Now, my lord.' said Feveral. do you
remember me~
| "No.''
"Then I will refresh your memory. ]
am Arthur Clavering."
| "Is It possible you are that man?"
I MOSI CcTbuluiys uhucA thaiI =
lived and traded in Venezuela. You made
my home desOlate, and when raved Of
vengeance, I was thrown into a prison
When 1 came forth my wife was dead
You had vanished, but I swore to hun,
you down. The time came, my lord, wher
YOU had a wife. 1 fsSnd her pure and
noble, and resolved 10 spare her. but
will not spare your
II tell you, you are raving," said the
duke; II have no quarrel with you-I am
not the man you seekr'
when you tell me that, You lieI Yes
you are the devil through whose villainy
I have been tortured for years. I demand
satisfaction"
"What do you want?s
"Meet me, wish to ayenge my wife
You cannot refuse; there II no danger Il
youI know well you are q practical
duelist, while l."
I'VE are in England" interrupted the
duke, I've cannot fight here"
''Then come to France. If yeu refuse
I shall brand you as a coward, and pro
claim your past life to all the world"
II do not refuse" said the duke aftel
some hesitation. II will meet you as yo1
wish"
CHAPTER XIII.