Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1889-06-20

"Why do you throw that out. 2" questioned
Miss Joyce, innocently enough.
1T needs replenishing," he answered
81 hope you are to remain with US now
Grace missed you so much''
Il shall remain, and will relieve you Of
all the care of my COUSIN" answered Lura
He went out soon after, leaving the young
girl in a flutter of intense excitement. She
harbored a terrible suspicion that she dare
not whisper to the suffering, unsuspectine
Grace. She was terribly anxious to consult
with grave DR.. Cotton, but for the time was
incapable of formulating a plan of action
since she dared not leave Grace alone fol-
an hour. She believed that the poor girl
mad been systematically poisoned, and that
now the villainous Captain would not hest
tate to finish his work should she give him
the opportunity.
''Ee must suspect me, ''she thought, "else
he would not have flung away that meci-
cine. He hopes to cover his tracks, but he
shall not. have one of the powders and
some one who understands chemistry shall
examine it'
OF course that some one could DO none
other than DR.. Cotton.
Lura did not leave the room for a moment
during the re marnder of the afternoon, and
when at night, after the lamps were lit and
black Lucy came in, she drew the colored
girl outside and questioned her with regard
to Captain Starblrght.
''He's done gone to Stouefeld, miss"
ssIt is we'll. Now, Lucy, know you love
your young mistress, and that you will do
any thing to serve her"
Deed does, missus."
- l am aware of that, and / want you to
make me a solemn promise not to leave this
room, not to permit any one else to enter,
until / return l am going away and may
be gone half the night. If Captain Star
bright is away you're not likely to be dis
turbed, but even if he should come, do rot
permit him to enter. Will you do as wish!"
"Good land, missus, how's goin' to help
it eff de Cap'n comes an wants to git in? 81
uttered the black maid in a tone evincing
her utter helplessness
" But you must not let him in. Lock the
door. 1 have it. I will lock you in this
room and take the key with me. You will
agree to that, Lucys"
''Yes, missus.'
"Eery good"
Then Miss Joyce went over to the side Of
Grace and told her that she was going away
for a short time, but that she would soon
return.
us this necessary" sighed the sick girl.
"Highly necessary" assured Lura. Il
will be gone but few hours. 1t is for your
sake that am going. l mean to bring you
out of this in short order"
al fear 1t is too late.''
Remember Austin Wentword and be
brave" said Lura, in a low tone, and then
she kissed the pale cheek of her cousin and
fastened from the room, locking the door
behind her.
She was soon in the open air fastening
to the stables.
She found Romeo, who whinnied at the
approach of his mistress, and hastily fixing
the saddle led him forth into the starlit
night
Just then she was startled at feeling q
hand touch her shoulder.
whittier now, Miss Joyce?"
1t was the voice of Captain Starbright.
Lura faced him boldly, though not with
out misgivings. She had hoped that he was
far away from Lone Hollow at this hour. 1t
was not pleasant to know that her every
movement was SO closely watched.
81 mean to absent myself for little
time" answered the girl
care you going to Stoneteld!'
perhaps"
"On what errand!'
"That wholly concerns me-" retorted the
daring girl, turning to reach the saddle.
He clutched her arm tightly and held her
to the ground.
"Not vet, l.ura joyce" he grated, hastily.
"Iknow YOU hope to ruin me, but shall
not permit YOU TO do it You can not so to
Stonefeld tonight
"Can note'
81 have said it,
Even as the defiant words fell from his
lips he staggered backward, with cry of
astonishment and pain. The clinched hand
of Lurs dealt him u sharp blow in the face
that caused him to loosen his grip on the
girls arm
Like a fash of electricity Lura bounded
IN the saddle and uttered q sharp word to
Romeo. who shot down into the gloomy hol-
low like an arrow. A muttered imprecation
fell from the lips of the baflied Captain.