Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1896-06-24
CHAPTER XVIII.

CHATTER NNIIl.
All that day Constance kept to her
room. The duke was amazed at this, and
late in the afternoon presented himself
In his wife's boudoir. After all. fortune
favored him: Alice was there alone.
"Where is the duchess, Miss Grey
brook!" he asked quietly.
''She is in the adjoining room," return
ed Alice, uneasily, "and II think she Is
asleep. Shall call herY''
no" returned the duke, at is to you
] wish 70 speak. You know, Miss Grey.
brook, in what high esteem hold you"
Your grace, /"
Il should never have left my wife
alone" he continued, ''above all in Lon
don, If had not found a holy person like
yourself to place 10y her side, to counsel
and direct her. Miss Greybrook, yoI
have never yet hidden the truth from me-"
"Never l.
"You merit some heavenly recon-
pense," continued tho duke, watching her
very intently. "Lct me beg you to ac-
cept this holy cross, brought by me from
Rome"
He opened a small packet which he
held in his hand and revealed a hand
some crucifx. With smile half of com
mand. half of entreaty, he held this holy
gift toward the girl. She hesitated.
Fer me, my lordT'
''Pray take it." said the duke.
She held forth her hand, then with .
shudder attempted to draw it away.
"No. no; anu not worthy" she cried.
"My lord, what are you doing-what do
you want?"
81 want the TRUTH" returned the duke,
who had seized her hand, and was looking
II, L.; ;,.to L. s., nv.
brook, tell me the name of the man who
met the duchess at the ball last night"
With cry which was half a moan.
Alice shrunk away.
''If l speak," she murmured TO herself,
''she is lost; if l lie, lose my soul. Father
In heaven" she cried aloud, what shall
do?'
1T was the Earl of Harringtonv'
The interruption was so sudden and
@.ota1 that they i.ntI -t~"- 80
The duke dropped the Giris hand, turned
In the direction whence the voice had
proceeded, and saw Constance. She wal
very pale, but quite composed.
The dnke's face was black rs night.
"Then, madam" he said, ''you have
met that man agaiuF"
"Yes." returned Constance, quietly. 81
have met my cousin again, and you Nigh,
have learned the truth without putting
Alice to the torture"
"NThom else could l question: snid tht
duke, sternly.
"Me!' returned Constance, proudly
"No one knows better than you, my lord
my fraukness and my sincerity. Listen
my lord ! will give you further proO
of my candor: take me nway from Eng
land. for. although duty reigns supreme
in my heart, the love within it can never
die Do not expose me TO temptation; d'
not compel me to pass through fire, les
Mt last my spirit fails. But take m'
away"
The duke drew himself up proudly. II
IS impossibler' he said.
sRemember" cried Constance, sit is TO
your sake plead. / am your wife; ther
il peril here for both Of rs. Will yo'
take me away:
At that moment servant entered VIII
n message from Fevcral.
"I will come to him." said the duke
and with n low bow to his wife and he
friend he left the ROOM
"Alice" cried Constance, "yOu see nov
that what / told you was right. Thi
MIR. Fcycral. who calls himself the duke
secretary, Is the dukes spy. I am Ger
tain now it was he who told the duke o
nv first meeting with Frank; he ha
spoken again. and exposed me to this tor
ture. Well. know him now, and in flu
ture | shall be upon my guard"
There was n hurried knock mt the dOOI
"Come in," cried Constance, and tn
door opened admitting Feveral.
At sight of him Constance seemed t
turn TO stone but he came hurriedly an
anxiously forward.
MADAM" he said eagerly, Il mus