The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-12-27
\ ga,n of5erlue apologies, the officers with

Again offering apologies the officers with
drew.
ssNow what!" queried Wentword. Flnga
closed the door. turned the KEY once moro
and then sat down.
ssThat was an unlucky interruption
Austin''
4. cit would be foolish to deny it," admit
ted the young mechanic.
81 am cn2vinced that Don Benito IS ne
ordinary person. His hatred OF Captain
Starbrght convlnces me that the Captain
has injured the old man at some date In the
past.''
alt may be sou
"Where could he have obtained that will
am puzzled about that"
" Do you imagine that it was genulneE
81 am not prepared to say. But for thai
interruption / should have soon learned
more about it."
"Perhaps we can find the old man In the
morning."
eyes, that will be easy enough, provid
ing he doesn't fall into the clutches OF the
law" answered Fingal. Il must see tina
will, and uou must see Grace. 1t will never
do for you to permit the willy Captain tt
poison her mind against you. l happen Il
know that you still have a fast hold upon hel
heart"
81 wish I had such assurance" sale
Wentworth modify. money is c.r tt
nv success. She is an heiress, while an
but poor mechanic"
ssNonsense. I've no patience with you
Austin Wentword," uttered Fingal, shortly
- Faint heart never won a wife. Go in Il
win and thwart this Captain Starbrlght.
tell you the battle is to the vigilant ano
brave. Would You see Grace fall victim
to wicked fortune hunter!"
"Never -
.sThen visit her at once Be man anC
stumble at nothing. will help you to WIN
"You?"
"Certainly."
The Young hunters small, brown hanC
went out, ard there in the dim light the two
clasped palms in token of mutual regard
"Captain Clinton Starbrlght has planned
TO win the Vandible millions, and he has
planned WE'LL stopping at nothing, not evel
human life, to gain a point. He has made
one mismove, however, and If you vii
work with me l believe we shall thwart tho
scoundrel in the end'
The speakers face was aglow with feel
ing, and Austin Wentword was glad indeed
to have such brave youth for his friend.
| On their first meeting he had saved hin
from staining his hands with blood; surely
| such friend was worth the possessing.
81 am with you, Louis Fingal, to the bit
ter end in this battle for the right"
Thus was the alliance sealed.
x X x
1t was evening The wind moaned through
the trees and sighed mournfully about the
walls of Lone Hollow.
Nearly month had passed since the
death of Morgan Vandible, and the poign
ancy of Grace Penroy's grief was dulled
yet she had not regained her old, swee
smile, nor the healthy, happy glow of cheel
and eye.
No settlement of the millionaire's estat.
had yet been m de. 1t would require &
long process of law to do so, the Captain
had assured her, and Grace did not fee
like troubling herself about such matters
at present
The Captain was permanently located a
LoneHollow now, and vibrated constantly be
tween the old mansion and Stonefeld There
was q troubled look on his brow that did MOI
escape the notice Of Grace Penroy.
No news from Lura Joyce.
1t was this that troubled Grace more
brave cousin.
TIL heiress stood before the long glass
tom ,iny out her long yellow locks, as she
lad done on former occasion, when pail
# mischievous, loving eyes were near
watching and admiring. Grace was think
nag Of Lura just now, and wondering If the
mystery of her disap .,earance would never
be solved.
The face reflected in the glass was pale
and thin, not the one that looked out at hei
u few weeks before.
A slight sound fell on the girls ear, the
creaking of the door. Grace needed it not
however, deeming it but the act of gust O.
air along the hall.
"Grace!"
The girl before the glass started at the
sound of a voice pronouncing her name
There was familiar ring in the voice thai
carried her back to other days.
Turning quickly she saw vailed female
standing before her.
Twill you permit me to rest here mo
menta" uttered the stranger.
REST! / do not understand. Who are
yous Surely your voice sounds familiar, ,
cried Grace, in bewilderment.
A low, musical laugh followed from tht
visitor, laugh that awakened old echoes il
the heart. cf Grace Penr0y. She STOOD
wnen ne must nave known that YOU were
suffering. It's always so, however. in love
'llairs. Of course Austin did not ret the
fetter l undertook to convey that awful
night on which 1 came near biddi.g final
adleu to this mundane world. Had he
received that letter all would have hean
well between ToG. 7 &C.. .e.l you for = -or
thrilled, expectanu, wildly excIJcu, as .
hand lifted the vail. Grace started for
ward with great cry. Before her stoof
LURA JOYCE!