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

CHATTER All.
It seemed, indeed, that Frank wa:
dead. His face was rigid, and though
Constance spoke to him imploringly agaiI
and again, he did not seem to hear her
He lay cold and motionless as stone. WILD
with terror. she placed her hand upon hi
heart; it seemed to have stopped beating
The awful stiffness of the room suddenly
became oppressive-she gasped as II FOL
air; she staggered to the door as il to pro
cure assistance-she opened the door, an6
fell like stone.
When she opened her eyes Alice Grey
broOk-was bending over her. After on'
wild look in her friends face. Constance
staggered to her feet and gazed wildly
around.
"Constance!' cried Alice, "for heaven,
sake what is the matter? / did not reacs
the marquis house until very late, and
found that he had gone to the ball. Con
stance. what is the matterT
1.-THE matterr' cried Constance. oh
Alice, lookr'
Tremulously clinging to her, Constance
dragged her into the room, and to the side
Of the couch where Frank was lying
With a cry Alice started back.
"A man. she said-then, recognizing
him, she added with a shudder. LORD
Harrington!'
"Yes," said Constance, still holding hel
tightly by the arm, cit is Frank. LOol
at him, Alice, quickly. Has he tainted
Is he asleep? LoOk!'
Conquering her terror, Alice bent for
ward and touched his face and hands
then she reverently drew back.
"He is dead" she said.
"No!' cried Constance, clutching wild
" at her friend; mot dead! 1t Is false
1t cannot be! Heaven would not be SO
cruel!
Suddenly Alice started, went to the
window, and looked out. When she turn,
ed again to Constance her face was as
white as that of the man lying upon the
couch.
ut is a carriage coming up the street, y
she said. IF it should be the duke! Con
stance, if, as you say, this is trap, II
must be the duke, and he will kill your
moment later a knock and . voice
without cried:
"Open quicklyT
Without more ado, Alice opened the
door and the newcomer entered the room.
1t was Mr.. Feveral.
"Pardon my intrusion at this hour OF
the night" he said, but come on urg
ent business. The duke
'Is he with youI" asked Constance.
"He will follow almost Immediately"
"Your messageT"
els simple. l come to warn you"
sIndeed," she answered with q bitter
smile, "even you come too late. Let us
understand each other, Mr.. Feveral,' u
she continued, while Alice stood trem
blingly by. II am the Duchess d'Azzeg'
Ho and you are the dukes spy. The dukes
departure for France was pretense, your
coming here tonight is a ruse. Well, sir
your work is done; we have fallen into the
trap which you and your master laid for
u.s. You have secured one victim-look!
She pointed to the couch on which
Frank was lying. Feveral started with q
cry: ,.,~
Eyes, deadr repeated Constance, who
seemed to have turned to stone. Brought
here by your masters deviltry, while
still weak from his wounds he tainted
and-died. Now, so TO the duke; bring
him here to look upon his wOrf. am pre-
pared to meet him."
MADAM, yon wrong me-" said Fevera
earnestly. "As / am q living man my
wish is not to betray, but to save you"
"Constance," cried Alice, cfnging t0
her, trust this gentleman, and do as he
advises. 1 believe he is your friend"
"And II l trust him-what then? This
u the chamber of death. My husband
will soon return and find"
Leave that to me-" said Feveral. He
took off his travelling cloak and covered
the body, which lay there looking &c
Rhastly in the lamplight. MADAM" he
continued, turning to Constance, II will
help you all 1 can"
"Come, DEAR" said Alice. putting hel
arms about her, ''let me take you to your
ROOM"
'Well," she returned, take me where
you please, do not care. 1t Is all q
dream, Alice-a fearful dream, and
seem to be crawling forward to my grave
/ only know that all love is dead, and
that my heart Is broken"
Sobbing Historically, she fell upon the
girls neck, and was gently led from the
room.