The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1889-05-03


You shall tell me at another time. You
are not strong enough now"
Then Lura Joyce came to her feet and
| turned to adjust the clothing about the sick
one as the door was tried by a hand with
out. Going thither Lura turned the key
and admitted Captain Starbright
CHAPTER XVIII
LuRAs PLANS.
Captain Starbright started at seeing Lura
Joyce. The meeting was an unexpected
one on his part.
"You herer he CALCULATED. ~ thought
you would not return to Lone Hollow again. "
why did you think so, Captain! Lone
Hollow is all the home have"
Il surmised as much, that is all. Grace
was glad to see you"
After your lies, yes" interrupted Lura,
in Kissing whisper. ''I'll thwart you yet,
Captain Starbright."
Then she turned about and resumed her
seat beside the bed. the short red curls on
her foreiop quivering IN way that BODIED
no good to the schemlng Captain. His black
eyes took on a look of intense hate as he
gazed that, had Lura seen it, would have
chilled the blood in her veins. His white
hands clinched. and for moment he seemed
the very incarnation of evil.
He turned swiftly on his heel and passed
from the room. Once beyond the gaze OF
Lura's eyes his face assumed black and
would have been we'll, the fortune would
have been mine, and Grace beyond help
Now, what may not take place with that girl
in the housel wish she was deaf"
1t is easy to understand the Captains
thoughts He realized that Grace alone was
the one witness who could testify to the
forging of her graudfather's name to the
will With her out of the way he was COM
paratively safe, and could bid defiance to
the widow and those who might choose to
call themselves her friends.
Mrs Penroy was far from WELL and was
at the present time confined to her room
with a sudden severe cold.
IF she, too, would only die" thought the
Captain, and then wicked resolve en-
tered his heart as he paced the long hall
alone in the lower part of the old house.
While the man of evil was thus conjuring
dark thoughts, Lura Joyce succeeded in
calming her sick cousin, and learning from
her the story of how affairs came to change
so greatly in the short space of three
weeks.
Il can hardly account for it myself" fal-
tered Grace Il know l felt almost well
when you left me, and should have given
up my medicine altogether but for Mr.. Star
bright"
Yes, indeed" agreed Lura, in a sup
pressed voice, her eyes shining like bits Of
steel.
HE thought the medicine was necessary
to strengthen ME, and SO l continued to take
1t, only to grow weaker gradually, until
had to take to my bed once more. Oh, You
can not imagine how discouraglng it has
BEEN
Il understand it all,n Lura interrupted,
tenderly. "How long has it been since DR..
Faxon has been herer'
s-Oh, o long time. He came but once after
you went away"
but why was thisf'
''Hc said it was best; that Faxon was old,
and that ought to improve faster, and so
he procured medicine from a doctor in
Stonefield, who came to see me but once"
1t was Starbright that recommended this
change?"
Yes
''And your mother!"
s.She has been i'll herself most of the
time, and has made no objections, but has
left every thing to the Captain. He has
prOcurcu Inc Iutuiclue, ANU i nave tdhcu IL
regularly, but 1t doesn't seem to do any
good. grow weaker all the time. Isn't 1t
stranger"
Yes, it is stranger" uttered Lura, in y
smothered voice. "And this has been going
on for three weeks. What is your medi.
cine!''
"There is some in liquid form followed
by powder"
Lura came TO her feet and made a swift
examination Of the bottles and glasses on
the stand near.
She found two small white powders and
medicine in glass. One Of these powders
she appropriated. Scarcely had she done
so when Captain Starbright entered, and
gong to the stand cast a sharp look over
the numerous bottles and glasses.
He turned suddenly upon Lura with:
"Some one has been meddling. There were
two powders here q short time ago"
"Grace has taken one" answered Lura,
promptly, anxious to avoid suspicion, and
feeling justified in making false state
ment under the circumstances.
as that true!"
Question her if you doubt. supposed
the powder was proper enough"
Certainly" he uttered, quickly. ' 1t IL
all right"
He then lifted the tumbler containing the
liquid medicine, and going TO the window,
raised Il and flung the contents to thu
winds
To L:-sJoycc this was suspicious acton,
and she was thankful that she had made
sure y: one Of the powders in season. The
rack sscuId not make her give It up now.