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


covering herself little, she crawled over
to the couch on which the body of Frank
had lain, and passionately kissed the spot
where his head had rested.
What had become of Frank? she asked
herself. Had her husband spoken the
truth when he said that he was dead? If
so, Feveral haG again played the villain.
Scarcely knowing what she did, she rush
ed to the door. On the very threshold
Of the room she was met by Alice.
Constance" cried Alice, excitedly,
something terrible is happening, am
sure. The duke is locked in his study, and
refuses to be seen. Mr.. Feveral begged
me to seek you instantly and deliver to
YOU this letter."
Constance took the letter, opened II and
read:
MADAM: When the duke said your
cousin was dead he spoke falsely. The
Earl of Harrington still lives: he will to-
night be removed to the house of great
surgeon. who IL willing to undertake the
charge. The surgeons address enclose.
RICHARD FEVERAL."
With Q CRY Of Joy, Constance kissed the
ketter.
Without . word Of protest she resigned
herself to her friends care. The assur-
ance Of Franks comparative safety
brought Q sense Of happiness to her brok-
en- heart. She drank another composing
draught, lay down upon the bed and slept
'She must not remain here" said Alice
to herself, ''or she will die"
She rose from her seat ut the bedside
and returned to her own room. Once
there she sat down and wrote to Mrs.
Meason, warning the old lady not to be
astOnished if at any moment Constance
were to arrive Mt Avondale Castle.
1t was night when Constance awoke.
The long sleep had refreshed her, but
her head still felt heavy and painful. Fore
most in her thoughts was the letter which
Feveral had written. With a sudden i'm
pulse she rose. turned up the gas, and,
without ringing for her maid, dressed her
self hurriedly. Then she listened at the
door; there was no sound. no sign Of .
living soul.
Grasping Feverals letter in her hand,
into her breast, she descended the StairA
and passed from the house into the street
1t was very dark and raining heavily,
but she made no attempt to turn back;
she had mission to fulfill, and she meant
to see it through. Quickly calling up q
hanson, she ordered the driver to take her
to the address given In Feverars letter.
Thus it was that she paid that strange
midnight visit to Sir John Priestly, de.
scribed in the first chapter.
The interview with the doctor over, she
returned to the cab snd was rapidly driv-
en- back to Park Lane. She entered the
house as quietly as she had left it, and,
unseen by a soul, rapidly gained the soil
tude of her own room.
About an hour after Constance had paid
her mysterious visit, Sir John Priestly
again heard his bell ring. This time the
mysterious patient had arrived. Frank
was perfectly conscious now, but his face
was as pale as death, and he hung his
head as if in complete exhaustion. Few
eral glanced at the doctor.
1.-THE drive has been trying" he said.
at has made my task an almost i'm
possible one," returned the doctor grave
ly; "however, be SO good as to assist me to
carry him up to his room"
With morning came a great change; the
torpor had passed away, and Frank waA
lirious fever. The doctor tended him
with the utmost care and secrecy. Few.
eral made a second call.
"Well?" he asked.
Cerebral fever" said the doctor, "and
the patient is in too low a condition to
stand it long, fear"
Constance" moaned Frank continu-
ally. "Where is Constance? That map
will kill her."
Something Is troubling him." said the
doctor, ''he might be better If his mind
could be set at rest"
FevsEars face grew troubled; he sa,
down beside the bed and waited. Toward
afternoon Feveral was still at his post.
anc Franz awoke from a deep sleep ana
knew him. His first words were:
"Where is ConstanceY"
"She is SAFE" replied Feveral, hurried
ly; ''her chief anxiety is for you. She
knows you are here in safety and in good
hands, and prays for your recovery"
Feveral rose. Frank turned his head
and closed his eyes. Feveral beckoned
the doctor from the room.
II may not be able to call again." he
said, ''but will now con6de to you as a
secret your patients name. He is the
Earl of Harrington"
Go be continuedl