Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1896-05-07
CHAPTER XVII

Ac Gnu VI u fortnight the duke was
again IN Lon9on. The first thing he did:
ai'er coidly greeting his wife, was to &C
" ms room and send for Feveral.
Inc journals are full this morning,
see, OF the state ball which was given
he asked.
Yes. It was truly magnificent"
indeed! replied the duke, grimly, "but
: uearo or some scandalous scene"
Oh, a mere trifle. Some roughs pick.
ed quarrel with the soldiers; then some
drew knives.
Nothing more?" said the duke, sig.
niicantly
LET me see. All, yes, your studious
nephew, Count Palmatos, was one of the
first to arrive
Never mind my nermew," interrupted
the duke shortly; "speak of my duchess"
saw her for moment, afterward she
disappeared"
And you did not see her again?'' said
the duke eagerly, "you did not remain
near her? You do not know to what in
dlvlduals she was presented?"
Frankly" returned Feveral, in the
same Indifferent tone, II do not
Mr. Feveral," said the duke sternly,
let us understand each other. You are
my secretary, my servant, employed by
me at your own particular request tc
serve me in any way [ wish; at the very
moment when I most depend upon you,
when l look for services more domestic
In their nature and more affecting my hap
plness, your ardor cools, your devotion
vanishes. Hereafter you must keep a
closer watch upon the duchess, or leave
my employ. Decide!'
My lord" answered Feveral, II must
have an hour to reflect
AS the door closed upon him, the duke
smiled
He is mine," he said; "when such a
rascal demands time for reflection he is as
good as bought"
He paused; the room door opened and
admitted Count Palmatos, the dukes
nephew. He was youth of sixteen, with
black hair, q brown skin, and dreamy
eyes.
''Well," said the duke, with q smile,
show are you enjoying your visit, my dear
boy? Did you so to the state ball last
night?"
II did, my lord"
"You saw the duchess, of course?"
saw her? q yes, of course, just for a
moment. Ieassisted her to her carriage.
There were present two others, Mr.. Few
eral, your secretary, and
eyes," said the duke, quickly, "the
other?"
"The other is gentleman whose name
do not know-a charming person, who
saved my life"
"Indeed!'
eyes. There was a scuff1e outside the
palace. Some ruffian drew knife, which
was at my throat when my preserver in
terposed and received the thrust in his
breast"
'He was wounded, you say?"
GA flesh wound, which will heal, with
care, in few days"
'May I ask-did the gentleman accost
the duchess?"
"Not in my presence"
The youth looked at the duke in a puz-
zled sort of way. Then he left the room.
wondering what all this mystery could
mean.
Meanwhile Feveral was sitting in his
room thinking deeply over the interview
which he had had with the duke, and
wondering what course it would be best
for him to pursue.
"Feveral," he said to himself, "what is
coming to you? A few weeks ago YOU
betrayed the duchess simply for the pleas
ure of humiliating the duke, and now be-
cause you are asked to repeat the per-
Torrance you hesitate. Why should you
hesitate? Your task in life is set: why
should you refuse to accomplish it? If
I were once to leave this roof I should
never reap my revenge. I will not leave
it will do as the duke wishes me. I
will become his spy"
Go be continuedl