Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1896-07-15

Alice. quietly taking her friends hand
II have other news for you. Constance
Then she told her as tenderly as possi
BILE the whole of the story. which she hao
heard from Feveral, and Constance, lis
tening to her, realized that she was free.
Early the next morning the three ladies
left Avondale Castle for London. BY that
time the news of Constance's widowhood
had spread. They reached London early
in the day, and drove at once to Park
Lane. One glance at the house, and Cow
stance began TO realize for the first time
that the news was really true. 1t seem
ed I, her as if the shadow of death hung
over the place. All the binds were d awr,
and she felt almost suffocated by the fee.
| ing of intense stiffness which reigned
everywhere.
The body of the duke had not arrived
from France. but was hourly expected.
Hugo had telegraphed that all must be in
readiness for its reception.
The story of the dukes death was q
nine days wonder. The papers took it up
and discussed it in their columns, the
ladies in their drawing rooms. Various
! stories were circulated, and certain whis-
pers concerning the duchess were set
atiOat, but none of these could be substan-
tiated, since the only man who could have
Meanwhile Constance lived on very
quietly in Park Lane. Greatly to Hugo's
amazement, the only will to be found was
one which made Constance the sole mis-
tress of her husbands immense fortune.
Her first care was TO dismiss Hugo, and
half her retinue of servants; then she
caused q number of the rooms to be closed:
and lived quietly with her grandmother
and Miss Grsybrook in the few small
rooms which were set apart for them.
Three weeks passed thus. At the end
of that time Constance, yielding to the en-.
treaties of her friend, consented to take
a trip abroad. She was in her room one
day, giving orders to her maid, when Alice
came 10 her, and asked to speak to her
alone.
Constance" said Alice. whom do you
think / have seen to-day? Some one
who wishes to see you"
In n moment Constance's face flushed
for she thought of Frank, and Alice not.
ing this, continued hurriedly:
TT was Mr.. FeveraI, dear"
"Mr. Feveral! exclaimed Constance.
"Alice, have you forgotten he killed the
dukef
HE killed the duke; yes, in fair and
open fight. oh, do not look startled, dear.
I do not wish to condone a murder-but
this was not murder, and there are
some wrongs which only blood can wipe
out. He came to me to-day while l was
walking In the park. and my heart bled
for him, he was SO changed"
Half an hour later, when Constance
was again in her sitting room, the door
Of the room was opened, and Feveral was
Ehown In.
Mr.. Feveral! Could this indeed be he
this grave, gray man? Although only a
few weeks had passed since she had seen
him, as many years seemed to have been
added to his age; the mask which he had
assumed while in the service of the duke
had been cast aside, and she saw instead
Of the plotting spy n weary, heart-brokep |
man.
MFR. Feveral," she said, Il sent for you
yes; and now that you nre here do not |
repent of my action. could not speak |
because am SO sorry to see you like this |
you are SO changed"
He smiled sadly. Il have no longer a !
part to play" he said; my work on earth |
is done. All pray for now is death My |
one joy in life has gone from me, and |
have lived to avenGe Ter; that was all
craved for, to see the man who had killed |
my wife and wrecked my happiness dead
at my feet.
Il am sorry for you."
She held out her hand; he took it. held il |
in both of his, and the next moment wa,
gone.
Since that day two years have come and
gone; the London season IL At it's height
again, a..d the tragic story of the death Of
the Duke dAzzeglio has passed entirely
from every mind.
The spring has come on with unusual
Brightness; SO thinks Sir John Priestly
as he sits at the window Of his study gaz-
ing out upon his garden, where his wife is
busy amongst her flowers.
His wife, none other indeed than our
old friend, Alice Greybrook. looks up and
beckons to him, and he obedienuy rises
and goes down.
II have news" she said, brightly. "Con.
stance is coming home"
You don't say SOP
"But do. just listen"
She produced from her pocket letter
and commenced to read:
I'VE are coming back, dear, and would
like to stay with you for q few days before
.aking possession of our home. Frank has
to dispose of my old house in
Park Lane, so thank heaven shall have
nothing now to remind Inc of that one ter
rible episode in our lives. Frank and
are as much united as if we had never
been parted; and l shall try to forget that
there was ever time when was not his
wife. CONSTANCE"
That same evening happy party gath
ered In Sir John Priestly's dining room.
There was Alice, fulfilling the duties of
sostess; near to her was Constance, and
n her right was Frank, looking hand
,omer than ever. The talk was flowing
when it was interrupted by Alice.
DO you know what to-day is?" she
.ried. at is the anniversary of the day
IN which we were all married"
"Then let us drink toast" cried Frank
'Priestly, old fellow, may you and Alice
,e as happy as you deserve to be; and
nav Connie and continue as We are: ch |