Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-05-23

hunter scanned to realize for the first time
that something was wrong inside the sick
chamber. He thrust small reed that he
picked from the floor into the keyhole.
He then made a discovery.
The hole had been stoutly pluggedl
Something surely was wrong. He grasped
the knob and shook the door.
No answer from within.
A chill shot to the heart of Fingal He
called the name of Lucy and of Grace, bat
received no answer. A terrible fear OPP
pressed the young hunters heart as he
turned from the door and hurried to the
stairs. He sped down these, three steps at
a time, and came near landing In the arms
of the colored maid.
"Lucy, you herer' demanded Fingal,
hoarsely. ''Who is with Grace?"
"Miss Lura, 'spect."
81 do not believe it"
sBut left her dar@'
sSomething is wrong" interrupted Fin.
gal, selling and shaking the maid furiously.
Sc Y on haven been faithful, girl. The door
to Grace's room is locked. Have YOU the
keys"
"Deed, marse, hasn't"
Fingal stood irresolute for one moment,
then sprang to the outer door, opened 1t
and passed out into the night. He hast
ened to the side of the building, to spot
where light glimmered from an upper
window, the window of Grace Penroy's
room.
For an instant the young man stood
irresolute; then, seeming to remember
something, he sped to the rear of the old
house and in less than minute returned
bearing in his hands ladder. 1t was but
short work to place this up against the
side of the house.
1t Just reached the window-sill.
L.
mounting swiftly upward. He soon gained
the top and although the curtains were
drawn he found a crevice through which
he could peer into the room.
What he saw caused him to start and
nearly fall from the ladder. His hands
clinched the stone sill until the blood
seemed ready to burst from beneath the
nails.
In the center of the room stood Captain
Starbright, with look on his face that
was actually terrifying. It was only with
the utmost effort that Fingal held himself
from falling.
The Captains hat lay on the floor. His
coat was of, his arms bare to the elbows,
and he was evidently meditatinE some
terrible deed. Fingal saw him move toward
the bed, gaze for one moment at the placid
face of the apparently sleeping girl, then
bend forward with the look Of fiend, and
unsuspecting victim.
"Great heavenl he would strang1e herP'
gasped Fingal, hoarsely, almost losing his
hold in the intensity of his horror. With a
mighty effort he steadied himself, seized
the sash, lifted it swiftly and plunged head
long into the room.
The noise and the unexpected appearance
of the hunter startled the would-be assas-
sin from his work, and he at once turned
his attention tn the nevv-cOrner He 0loro6
an instant in evident alarm, then, with an
imprecation, sprang at the youth as he came
to his feet.
"Murdererl" cried Fingal.
"Hai the internal hunter sneak. I'll
throttle you for thisl' and Captain Star
bright, evidently completely mastered by
rage and fear, sprang with the fury of a
visitor.
Together the two went to the floor in a
struggle for the mastery. At the same
time q wild scream filed the room. Grace,
Weakened by the combat, was terribly
frightened, and it was her voice that filled
the old house with its piercing notes of
alarm.
Fingal struggled desperately, but seemed
to be no match for the Infatuated Captain.
"In throttle your' Missed Starbright.
"You have meddled with me and my affairs
for the last time.''
e. At this. moment the long black hair ON
FingaPS head came into the clutches OF
Starbright, another moment and his locka
were free from the head of his antagonist
With great cry Captain Starbright came
to his feet, quickly followed by the hunter
A hand tried the door, and voice without
demanded admittance. Unheeding this the
Captain stood staring at Fingal. His
astoundment seemed too full for words
And no wonder.
Before him stood, in the person of Fingal.
another person entirely. There was no mis-
taking that face, the pug nose, with mus
tache brushed aside, that dancing, rec
foretop.
"Lura Joyce, as I ivel'' exclaimed the
astounded Captain.
The girl regarded him with folded arms,
breathing short, her eyes flashing, her
white teeth cleaning. She felt herself
mistress of the situation. Her hand shot
forward suddenly, bright object gleam
ing at the end.
she uttered lowly yet fiercelY. "Stand
aside, wish to open the door,"
He seemed to have no desire to thwart
her wishes while cooked revolver was
pointed toward his breast, and so he obeyed
without a word He glanced at the bed t.
note the fact that Grace had tainted.
With some difficulty Lura turned the key
and admitted DIR. Arthur Cotton.
"Alones" uttered Lura.
wait"
This was all. The doctor glanced at Cap
tain Starbright, then st the girl. He
seemed astonished to find her in male attire
and Lura fancied she saw look of semi
disgust on his grave face.
81 can explain, Arthur
sit doesn't NATTER he uttered, shortly
"My business is with Clinton Starbright
I suppose You recognize me, Captain?'
Starbright had recovered his composure,
and stood with folded arms regarding the
doctor from under frowning brows.
Il suppose do. You are the gentleman
who pretends to a knowledge of medicine
DR.. Cotton"
''The same"
But let me tell you," grated the Captain.
with angry vehemence, 81 have permitted
your interference here to the cost of a life.
Look yonder at your work You shall suffe:
Tor this-thls murde-."
He pointed to the bed.
Quickly DR.. Cotton stepped to the side OF
Gracs and bent over the wasted form.
moment thus, then he faced the inmates OF
the room once more. tsShe has tainted. II
is better so for the present. Should she die
You will have another murder to answer
for. know that you have been systematic
allY poisoning this Oirl-ss