The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1889-04-11
CHAPTER XVIII
FRIENDS AT WAR.

In vain Lura Joyce tried to cry out The
terrible fingers about her throat shut of all
articulation.
Yes, you shall die ~ Kissed the voice of
| Clinton Starbright, as he crushed her othe
| ground, and chung to her throat with the
| fury Of mailman.
| He did not know how she came to escape
| from the doom OF the gulch, he only knew
that she was alive and ready to do him the
utmost harm. he saw her enter the house,
he guessed the truth, although he had not
seen her face, and had lain in wait until she
came out.
He had come too near the goal of his am
bilious desires to falter at trifes, or at the
sacrifice of human lives. There was no
mercy in his heart as he pressed the slen-
der girl under his hands to the earth
Poor Lural
She grew faint, and myriads of strange
| lights fitted before her vision. Was this
DEATH Would no one come to the rescuei
These thoughts fitted through the be-
numbed brain of the dying girl, and then
the darkness of insensibility crept over all.
"Scoundrel, have you at lastl"
A hand clutched the arm of the wicked
assassin, and the nextinstant he was hurled
rudely from his victim.
Captain Starbright uttered low, alarmed
cry 1t was no ordinary affair TO be caught
in such apositon, and he realized his danger
at once.
Drawing his hat low, he attempted to
escape, but stern voice held his steps, and
sent chill Of alarm to his craven heart.
Run, or offer to, and firep
Then the Captain saw that he was COW
cred by q cleaning revolver. His own
hand fell to his hip To his chagrin, how
ever, he discovered that he was unarrned
~ know you, Clint Starbright,n Kissed
the stranger. THE gold hills of California
have waited for your return in vain. There's
a halter there which Judge Lynch has
knotted for the murderer. Your mask de-
ceived no one and even the wide expanse Of
continent between you and your crime
will not save you. Murderl That seems
to be your calling, and it is one BETTING
your character-i
AT this moment the moon Illuminated the
scene, and the strangers face was fully re-
vealed.
Captain starbright interrupted him with
great cry.
"My God 4 IL Is Karl Vdndibie n
"Ayei and the avenger OF the wronged.
I've tr;hled you to your lair, imposter,
thief, assassin Now die, coward that you
arer'
A sharp report followed.
Captain Starbright sank to the ground,
and for some moments the avenger bent
over his victim.
'Dead ~ he finally articulated Then,
hearing steps and voices approaching, at
tracted doubtless by the report of the re-
volver, the man turned and glared at Lura
Joyce, who still lay insensible on the
ground.
1.-THE lady is dead. have a claim on her
"a claim that IS greater than these people
with their millions. -
He bent quickly, lifted the girl IN his
arms, and with a defiant cry, rushed away
with Lura into the shadows Of the hollow
Immediately after two men came to the
gate with lantern. One was Sam, the
black stable boy, and the other the garden
err, Oscar Pagan.
"Hello! what's this ~ cried the gar
dener, as he flung the rays of his lantern
over the PROSTATE man in the road
''It's the Capn, marse Oscar.n
captain Starbright, for a TRUTH ex-
claimed Pagan. "Wonder what's come over
him 2"
Some uns shot the marse"
Just then, however, the Captain moved
apd sat up 1t proved that he had not been
touched by the bullet, but had tainted from
the astoundment caused at seeing and recog-
nizing his assailant.
"No harm done,n said Captain Starbright,
"only was assaulted by tramps. Keep
sharp lookout, Pagan. IN make a search
for the scoundrels In the morning.
Then Captain Starbright fastened to the
house and was not long in gaining the pres
ence Of Mrs, Penroy.
The Captain was more deeply troubled to-
night than he had been in years. A ter
rible danger menaced, and before his men.
tai vision dangled hangman's rope. He
was in tremor Of excitement, and his face
was very pale when he entered the pres
ence Of the widow Penroy.
"What is the troublel You are as pale as
ghost, Captain
Mrs. Penroy. you are playing false with
me-" cried the Captain, in sharp tone,
that quivered with anger.
81 do not understand you, SIR
"An attempt has just been made upon
my life, and believe you are at the bottom
Of IL, - he declared, fiercely.
"You surprise me.n
The widow was calm as an icicle, and this
calmness only served to enrage him the
more. a.
He paced the floor and cursed in way
that was terrible TO hear.
captain Starbrght, will not have this
m my house, said Mrs. Penroy, with an
unusual degree OF emphasis. ''Your storm.
ing will do no good What YOU mean by as
sorting that an attempt has been made
against your life | DO not know, but one
thing do knotv md that Ia that haze AZ.