Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1896-05-27

II could make you happy, ne said
Il should be content"
Make me happy?" repeated the girl
Il do not think there is any happiness in
this world"
Lady Constance" said the duke, grave
y, pray pardon me if 1 mention a sub
lect which may be painful one to you,
nave heard that you are attached to your
cousin"
She did not answer him, but, with a
ehudder, she covered her eyes with he's
hand.
MAY ask" pursued the duke, quietly
IF your cousin il a poor man?"
He IL not rich," said Constance.
You are doubtless aware" said the
duke, watching her quietly from between
the half-closed lids of his eyes, that
Am rich beyond the desire Of any man, and
could easily spare half of my wealth, and
l will, if by SO doing l can secure your
happiness"
Il do not understand"
Il mean 1 will make your cousin a rich
man, and then l suppose you would be-
come his wife,"
Become his wife?-no, never. You do
not understand, sir, when you talk like
that. l and my cousin can never be more
than cousins--we can never be man and
wife,"
you do not wish to marry himY'
'No, l do not wish it."
The duke was about to reply when the
door opened and a servant entered with
letter for Lady Constance. One glance
at it and the blood flowed back to her
heart. 1t was from Frank Howarth.
"Wir you excuse me?' she said, family.
The duke bowed, and led her from the
room. Constance hurried to her boudoir.
tore open the letter and read:
MY Darling Constance-Your letter
has driven me mad. In heavens name.
what does it all mean? Not that you do
not love me. l will never believe that,
but that some evil influence has come be-
tween us, and you have listened. l am
here helpless, and in danger of losing you.
/ should ask my father to come to you,
but 1 know he would be turned from the
door of Avondale Castle. Ii l am to lose
you, perhaps heaven will be merciful and
let the next bullet lay me low; if escape
be sure that shall come to you. and ask
for the fulfillment of your promise. For
PHYS sake, my Constance, write to Inc
and tell me have had horrible dream.
FRANK"
All that night she scarcely closed her
eyes; the next day she went out to walk
in Avondale Park. Sne had not proceed
ed far when she was startled by a sudden
rustling of the boughs. She looked about
her; the sound of footsteps fell upon her
ear; n figure approached her; it was the
Duke d'Azzeglio.
Il was on my way to the Castle" said
the duke, taking her hand, when 1 saw
you coming toward the park, and fol
lowed l have something TO say To you
Lady Constance; shall l say it now, OF
defer it till some future timer
Gas you please"
"Then I will say it now. Last night,
after you had retired, spoke for a while
with Mrs. Meason. l told her you were
pale and sad, and needed change. She
agreed with me; q change to Spain might
be beneficial; therefore, place my house
entirely at your disposal. Only say yes,
and will bid my servants prepare as il
for the reception of a queen"
He spoke eagerly and quickly, and fixed
his dark eyes upon her with strange
piercipg glance. The girl shook Ter head
"You are good" she said, but would
rather remain at Ayondale."
For why-to be tortured daily. hourly
by sights and memories which wiring
YOUR heart and make your young life pur-
gatory? You were not born to waste your
life in solitude: you were made to rule as
surely as a star in heaven is made tc
shine"
pray do not speak so if we are to re
main friends"
my child" he said, "what you offer
ne is not friendship. The Office of friend
Is a sacred one, and means much. A
friend should console and help; you refuse
to let me do either"
Because I cannot. There are certain
things which even a friend cannot under
stand, and sorrows which cannot be shar-
ed. You offer to be my friend. l will
accept your offer, il you will not demand
a confidence / cannot give"
81 accept the condition" replied the
duke. 'And now, Lady Constance, may
walk with you back to the Castle?"
She bowed, and they passed on, keeping
to the avenue of beech trees.
Scarcely had they gone hundred yards
when a man emerged from the shadow OF
the trees and stood fixing his eyes upor
the retreating figure of the duke.
The stranger was a middleaged man
evidently a gentleman, though his clothes
were ragged and travel-stained; and when
he moved he limped, as if his feet Were
blistered with the wornout shoes he wore
$50" he said, 81 have found my gentle
man at last! May imprudence dance at
tendance on revenge, and to aid my pur
nosel I have waited patiently for years
Z have crossed the world in pursuit OF
him: I have followed him from land to
land. and now we are to meet! keeI
calm. Feveral keep calm Let me see
vhat am I? An artist, and for the pres
mt. at least, must follow my vocation.
ro begin with, think will sketch the
Rangers Lodge-make a few inquiries
then wait for a chance to send me-the
Duke d'Azzeglio."