Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1896-05-20
CHAPTER "


Yellow for the continent Constance was
not left long alone. She was provided
with another companion in the shape Of
the Countess of Seafield who looked TWEEN.
ty-nve, though she had been wife for
nfteen years. and had contrived to break
several hearts before she had consented
TO make one man happy. She was par
excellence woman of the world, and for
that very reason she had been chosen by
Mrs. Meason for Lady Constance's chap
eron, and under the countess protecting
wing Lady Constance had made her first
entrance into London society.
She was sitting in Lady Constance's
ooudoir, slipping tea out of egg shell china,
one afternoon. She was dressed in a loose
robe of white cashmere. which became her
wonderfully, and her golden hair fell in
heavy masses to her waist; her pale blue
eyes were dreamily regarding Lady Con-
stance.
by the way" she was saying what
has become of that handsome cousin of
yours? Do you know l was quite afraid
you were going to rail- in love with him?'
"Were your said Constance with a
smile
Indeed. 1 was. Do you remember the
night of Lady Codrington's ball? / feign-
ed headache in order to get you away.
Poor fellowr'
why poor fellow?" said Constance.
Because he is a soldier" replied the
countess sentimentally, land will be sure
to get his throat cut one of these days.
That reminds me. Our troops are going
out to fight the -Zulus. Good gracious.
Constance, what is the matter"
The girls cheeks grew deathly pale,
and her hands trembled violently. She
AraH har dark anyinusv her
companon's face, and said in an eager,
tremulous voice:
Ibid you say, Lady Seafield, that war
is declared, and that our troops have
been ordered out to fight?"
"Assuredly, my dear, but that need not
send you into Mysteries"
'Then Frank is going" continued Con-
stance. Il am sure of it, though he has
not said so. He was to have paid me a
visit-we expected him to-day by the
train which brought you. Instead of
coming he sent letter by the guard of
the train, saying that important business
would detain him in town for two days
longer; at the end of that time he hoped
to join US in Avondale."
As soon as Constance found herself
alone she took out the letter which she
had received from Frank that day, and
read It again. Was it possible, she asked
herself, that Lady Seaheld was right3
Gould it be that Frank, her lover, was
to be called out to fight, to be wounded,
and perhaps left to meet terrible death
among the dead on the field of battle?
Two anxious days passed, and the
morning of Franks expected arrival found
her Mt the station an hour ahead of tho
train. She was fiuttering with delight
as her lover stepped on the platform and
led her out of the station to the car
rage which was to take them up to the
Castle. The moment he found himself
In the brougham Frank took her in hls
arms and kissed her tenderly.
.'Well, Connie said he, ''it Is settled,
NV darling. 1 am to go away! l have
got one day to spend with you; tonight
I return to town again, and in a week
We startT'
"You are going to Zululand?" !" said Con-
stance. fixing her eyes earnestly upon him.
sYou are going into action, FrankF
ayes. my darling" returned the young
ReIlow in as light a tone as he could as
snme: .but that need not alarm you, Con-
stance. Only one thing distresses me-
"What is that, FrankP
.Srhe thought of leaving you! At the
hest. 1t is hard enough to part from those
ve love; but for me it is terrible. Con
stance, I have thought OF pian' ana
mean to propose it to you. beiore eo
want you to become my wifeE
~Frank. do you wish me to marry you
In sacret and let no one know but you
and IT'
"No. Constance, I do not wish that.
Hitherto we have been fair and open; lei
ma remain SO. Mrs. Meason consented 10
enr engagement, she will consent to our
.,.rriaee- l don't want to take you from
-. T only wish to feel that no one on
Earth can take my darling from me.
when the critical moment came Con
.tance trembIed and grew fant-near,eu,
hut Frank was full of commence anu
With the light of hope and love IN nis 80
he looked superbly handsome. N ha,
~ Thought this when he appeared IN her
So.,So;r. but as she looked at him her face
oa,y cold and hard. He told her OF MS
s,dden call to duty, and she expressed q
hone that he would earn distinction
IT wish to make Constance my WIG
before 1 90 to the war;, SAID ne. ~
Eor a moment she was silent. Wha'
-. tboupht no one could tell; her race
las like a marble mask. Frank iooKeo a.
her inauiringly, and she said; IT,. ;
'sWhat you ask is impossipie' a''''
possible!' 5.-stood me- said
r.nL IT do not wish to take Constance
go Won. and am sure she loves you !ot
weiI to wish to go. All wish is d TO zee e
sSat have a wife to strive for. ana to
.at,rn TO when my work is done! =,
.T understand perfectly" she sara
~ynu wish to bind Constance, Whne yo'
.onrseif will remain free Weh' II can
.ot he. In consenting to your ensxse ,
mont MOI II have already conceded much. fo1 OF
.,ust remember the marriage IS no! a' a. a.
suitable one for my grandcnha: ~
sonrse it is natural that your fanny famn,
.bonld wish it to come about Aoun'
.a,es of good family with maLs ,nGI r;,1
nSs Of pounds are not to be met wiz
sa.rv day: and they do not usually " "
stow themselves upon penniless younse
sons who come of no better FANNY 'n"
themselves" .;d rotbinc
ST the hot blood suffused his race an
Ss was angrily biting his lip: ne "r eou,
ne. ne ~r trnst himself to speak. A few hour ,ir
DOL no. however. when his anger and ind,f
a.t;on % had in a measure passed ss awas
e returned to Mrs. Meas0n ana o'eAee