The Curse of Kenton
THE CURSE WHICH KILLS

Nineteen-year-old Barbara Ashe was summoned to the bedside of Gilbert Vanbrugh, the Duke of Kenton, to nurse him back to health. As the days passed, the Duke confided to her that he was doomed, the victim of an ancient family curse. He offered her amazing wealth if she would marry him and give him an heir. Barbara consented, but was soon to learn that her love for Gilbert was no match against a sinister curse - a curse which poisoned their marriage and held out its hand of vengeance toward them from the bowels of the castle's dungeons.

Horror and Pain

Her heart was throbbing, beating in the queer off-rhythm way that had bothered her in the morning. A strong beat ahead of itself, then a scary pause, then regular beats. Then another strong irregular beat, a pause, then regular.

Gilbert sighed, opened his eyes, and sat up sharply. “What is it, Barbara?” he began, then ground, and put his hand to his chest. “Oh -- God -- the pain,” he muttered, and rubbed his chest hard.

She could scarcely speak at first, she felt so dizzy and sick, and her head was spinning. “Gilbert -- Gilbert,” she managed. “I am -- sick -- too -- oh, dear God -- I am sick -- “
