The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1889-05-01

ChAPIEh ANll.-CONIlNUED,
"It was cruel in him TO remain away
when he must have known that you were
suffering. It's always 80, however, in love
affairs. OF course Austin did not get the
letter I undertook to convey that awful
night on which came near bidding final
adieu TO this mundane world. Had he
received that letter all would have been
well between you. / can tell you for GER
talnty, however, that you have suffered
even less than Austin, who, not receiving
reply TO his forgiving note, deemed you
unyielding, and that reconciliation was
now out Of tho question"
"How could no think so when"
"Of course 1t was strange" interrupted
Lura with covert smile, "but II will all
Tme right in the end IL you just refuse TO
couutenance that villain, Clinton Starbright.
] shall sec Mr.. Wentword and tell him all
sbout IL, and then the crooked paths will all
be made straight"
"You are very kind"
"No, I'm not. / am utterly selfish" as
sorted Lura; 81 do all this 10 crafty my
own heart I've set my mind on outwitting
nvillain, and mean TO do IL or die trying.
Icame near 1t, too, that night will tell
you about it, for l know you are anxious TO
hear the wonderful story.
"Iam deeply anxious" assured Grace.
"You all thought me deadi"
"Ihad come TO believe so. Romeo came
home riderless, and search failed 10 reveal
any thing. or course we were puzzled TO
know what had become Of you II Romeo had
fung you from his back. Either living or
dead you ought 10 have been found, that
was the puzzling part OF the whole affair {"
Exactly, and Captain Starbright was as
deeply puzzled as tho rest"
Certainly"
A low laugh fell from the lips Of Lura-
The red curls danced on her forehead, and O
fierce light burned in her eyes. "The con-
summate hypocriter she cried, In wither-
ing way that thrilled Grace 10 the quick
"But won't indulge in invective against
that creature now. mean 10 hunt him 10
his hole and then see that he meets with
@ Just punishment"
Lura then proceeded 10 relate how she had
taken the path leading along the edge Of
Hangman's Gulch, past the cabin OF the
witch, Mother CABRERA, whose name she had
shce learned; how she had become bewll-
and then OF her meeting the two rufflans in
Ore immediate vicinity OF Mother Cabera's
cabin; OF her being jerked from tho saddle
aud lifted high above the precipice.
"Dld you ever 60 up high, way up 10 the
tree-tops In n swing, Gracei You know, II
you have, what scary feeling shoots all
over you; that was Just how / felt when
those ruffians lifted me over that abyss. /
was too frightened TO utter n word-it was
the first instance In my life that got so far
used up rs that. Presently / felt myself
gong down, down, shooting like q rocket
through the air; then o bush switched
against my face, terrible scratching on
hands and limbs, then crash and utter
blackness."
Lura paused In her narration.
Grace Penroy was breathing deeply, her
face pale, her great, honest gray eyes
cheting with the intensity Of feeling aroused
by the words Of her cousin.
"Go on, Lura, / am listening" aspirated
Ono heiress after brief moment OF silence.
"You wish TO hear all about IL now-you
are not too tiredl"
"No, no, go on; am dying TO hear the
whole story OF your adventures, dear
cousin"
"n seems wonderful, something like q
fairy story 10 me now," proceeded Lura,
abut 1 have evidence OF It's utter truthful.
ness. I might have been dead, but was
not. In descending the sixty feet 10 the
hard ground below, had passed through
fhe bushy top OF q tree which, 1t seems, had
iho effect 10 break my fall and land me
stunned and bruised, yet alive, on the stones
and leaves Mt the foot OF tho declivity.
II must have lain there several hours ere
astrange creature came by, saw me ap-
parently dead on the ground, and in the
kindness OF his heart lifted and carried me
nearly mile In his strong arms. When
opened my eyes the glow Of fame filled
them and was nearly blinded. / was very
weak and could not sit up, Soon, as spoke
and called for water, for l was very
. thirsty, face bent above me, kindly old
facc, framed In with white hair and beard,
fhe face II seemed 70 me Of one Of the an
cent patriarchs.
Crest quietly, pretty dove he said. 4
viii bring you water and food, butyoa must
not stir for the present You are ono OF the
victims OF the Doge, and l viii save your
Thought the mans language was strange
N tho extreme. He WIS kind and atten-
tiyo, however, ministering 10 my every
vnnt, but had been 80 rudely shaken up,
iCwas more than a week before was able
b. he on my feet ana move about Thou I