Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1896-06-03
CHAPTER X.

w. 2
CHAPTER x.
few days after that mysterious Istter
had been thrown in at Lady ConstaDce's
bedroom window, Feveral presented him
sent in his card.
The duke was in his library, seated
at a large writing desk. When the strans-
er was ushered in he looked up quickly
and frowned.
'.Sir." he said. haughtily, II do not
know you"
pardon me-" returned the other, Do
liteiy, Il see you have my card in your
hand. My name is Feveral-kichard
Feveral."
"Well, what do you want?"
Money"
"A beggar?"
Not at ala friend-from VenexuelaP' r.
The duke started and turned pale. He
felt that the eyes of the man were fixed
keenly upon him.
From Venezuela7" ne repeated, perv.
ously.
"Precisely-from Venezuela" returned
the other. where your grace, five years
ago, before you came into the title, was
attache Of the Spanish Embassy"
REPEAT, SIT, 90 not KNOW yOus
"Your grace has forgotten me-" said
Feveral. but perhaps l may be able to
refresh your memory. In the meantime
i wish to enter your service. I am clever.
and sufficiently unscrupulOus."
'Sir, you entered this house by . fraud,
be good enough to leave 1t, or may be
under the painful necessity Of having
you fOrcibly expelled"
Hear me out" said Feveral, "and for
your own sake do not insult me before
your servants. Engage me, and I will
serve You faithfully. I know well, my
lord. that the Duke d'Azzeglio Is a very
different person from the young count
who sowed his wild oats In South Amer
ics''
Again the duke started, and turned
deathly pale.
What do you mean?" he asked nerv.
ously.
Il mean that at one period of my life
found self in Venezuela, where your
grace was amusing yourself. Every one
was then talking of n merchant, Emilio
CASTELAR,, whose wife your grace admired
The husband demonstrated, he was
thrown into prison, where, have heard
he died!'
''Sir, what is all this to meY'
'Much. If, for example, your former
amusements were talked about here. II
might affect your prospects AZ a marrying
man."
what! You threaten"
Not at ALL" answered Feveral, care
lessly. merely state the case as a matter
of business. Employ me, and, as I have
already informed you. you will find mt
useful Decline my services, and l NIGH
offer them elsewhere-even to your rival
the cousin of Lady Constance Howarth
whom she loves devotedly."
'How did you learn thisr'
my lord" returned the other, lightly
"my familiar spirit tells me every thing"
II will think 1t over" said the duke
perhaps you might be useful"
II am a treasure, I assure you. I shal
do myself the honor Of calling upon you
grace In a few days."
With a courteous bow he left the room
The moment the door closed upon him tn,
duke became a changed man. His hant
cfnched, and a cruel, vicious look cam,
into his eyes.
"A thorough vagabond," he said, "whon
should like to strangle. But must no
show my hand to him. 1 am In his power
He knows too much of my past life for IN,
to make him an enemy and leave him a
L may Ot wen " utlllZc OuCi
q fellow could be serviceable to me il
many ways. He shall be. l will maxi
him-my spy"
Three days later Feveral again present
ed himself before the duke and became al
inmate of the house.
Once installed, his conduct was curious
For some mysterious reason, he kept
strict watch upon his grace's movements
and one day the duke nOticed this an,
said sharply:
"You examine me, sirl For whyT'
II was merely wondering, my lord, VIII,
you persistently WOO the Lady Constance
Howarth."
The duke smiled.
II WOO the Lady Constance because
am about to marry her"
Take my advice, my lord, and refrail
from 30 doing"
What do you mean"
"Merely that the lady does not Low
you"
II am perfectly aware OF It.
"And yet your grace persists in you
wish to make her the Duchess d'Azzes
lioY"
Il intend to do 3d."
If by this conversation Feveral ha
hoped to put off the contemplated maj
rage Of the duke and Lady Constance
he failed.
CHAPTER XI.
Meanwhile things at the Castle had no
been going well, and continued troubl
was telling upon Lady Constance, an
making her appear the ghost OF what sh
once had been. Mrs. Meason, determine
to carry her point, continued to point on
to the girl the advantage Of q marriag
with the duke, while Constance, wearie
with continual resistance, had learned t
listen placidly and say nothing. Sine
she could not marry Frank, she said
herself. what did the rest matterf Sh
had not answered his letter, and Oh
knew it would be better If he never wrot
again. Then Mrs. Meason became ser
eusty III. 1t seemed now that the old lac
would die, and that Constance wouio
left alone.
Constance" she said, quietly, one da'
my child, I think that shall die"
70, grandmaP' cried the girl, don
say sol should be left here alone.
"Alone," repeated the old lady, feeoE
"yes, I was thinking of that, my Ooi
stance. But why should you be alon
when there is a good and honorable ma
who II willing to make you his wifeT