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

After leaving the doctors house Few
'ral walked slowly and thOughtfully along
n the direction of Park Lane. He seem
= to have grown much older within the
:st few days, for the one aim and pur-
sSse OF his life was about to be fulfilled
se was about to meet face to face the
Van who had wrecked his life, and driven
ais beloved wife into an early grave.
lie proceeded at once to the ducal resi-
'ence. He was admitted without question
,f any kind, but when he asked to see the
duchess. the footman gravely informed
aim that both she and Miss GreybroOs
rad left the house.
The man led the way to the dukes
study. During the two preceding nights
The duke had had no rest, and the want
If sleep as well as the mental anguish
which he had endured had left strong
races upon him. He spent the whole OF
'ne night arranging his papers, and AZ
.arly morning the next day, his Spanish
servant entered the study, only to find
ais master still busly at work. He hand|
I'd him a note found in the rooms of the
duchess. 1t read:
After what has occurred, yen cannot
expect me to remain longer in yeur house.
am, therefore, returning to the home
from which you took me. Meanwhile let
ne assure you that whatever step you may
choose to take will not be oppored by me,
rs my sole wish now is to be free from the
degradation of bearing your name.
CONSTANCE HOWARTH."
Crushing the letter in his hand, the duke
returned to his study; all his dsla:res SEEM
I'd altered now. If Constance wished to
De free-if by obtaining n divorce he
would be acceding to her wishes, he no
longer seemed to desire it. He had re-
garded this act on his part as n means of
revenge; he believed it would be torture
to her to be branded as infamous before
the world but since this was not the case,
be determined to think of some other
means of gaining his end.
He was so lost in his meditationS that
ne did not hear the gentle rap at the door
When the door was opened, however, he
started up and faced Feveral.
"My lord" said the latter, with some
thing of his old airiness of manner, Il
have come to inform you that all my ar
rangements are made. and that l can
place myself at your disposal at any time
you may be pleased TO name"
The duke, who had reseated himself,
looked up angrily.
Il must request you. Mr.. Feveral," said
he, mot TO thrust yourself upon me unan-
nounced. At present l am too busy to at
tend you. BE SO good as to leave me-
"Sorry to be compelled to refuse" re-
turned Feveral taking IA chair: ''you have
agreed to fight me. and until you do l
shall remain your constant companion
The duke stared: was the man mad or
drunk? FeveraI, folding his arms, calmly
returned his companions gaze.
"You are astonished," said he, 'yet !
see no cause for astonishment. AS
said, you accepted my challenge. 1 do not
mean to let you escape.
Escape! what do you mean? Do you
think 1 fear youT'
ut looks like it," returned Feveral, still
sitting with folded arms and preserving
an unruffled demeanor.
For a moment the two looked into each
others eyes, then the duke returned to his
desk. He made no further attempt to rid
himself of his companion, but tried to con.
tinue his work. 1t was n difficult task,
however; the strange nervousness which
had taken possession of him was increas-
ed ten-fold by the fact of his enemy's
presence in the room, silent and unObtru-
siye as it was. Whatever he did, he felt
that Feveral was watching, nay, more,
that he had power TO read his inmost
thoughts.
He had intended to leave that evening
for Avondale Castle: he now changed his
mind, and resolved to defer his journey
until the next morning, hoping by that
time to have shaken himself free of his
tormentor.
But though he retired to his room, he
did not 60 to rest, but sat hour after hour
gazing into vacancy, and thinking. As the
hours passed on the house grew quieter;
all the servants had retired. One O'Clock
struck, and the duke started from his seat
A sudden thought occurred to him; Few
eral must be sleeping; here was a chance
to escape from this man!