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

mrde an examination Of my quarters, to
find quite an extensive cave. To mo 1t
seemed to have been fashioned by the hand
Of man. nquiring Of the old man, he as
sured me that his name was Don Benito,
once subject Of the Doge Of Venice, but
now an exile, and that the cave had been
excavated by men many years before for a
hiding place from the wrath OF the Doge.
Of course, l knew that this was but the
wild talk Of madman, in whose power
had fallen after escaping from death at the
hands of tramps, as then supposed my late
assailants to be-
"Of course felt uneasy, and was anX-
ious TO mako my escape, but this l could
not do since Don Benito kept close watch
upon my movements. In my opinion the
cave was xcavatcd by horse-thieves or
counterfeiters; and am of the opinion that
the present dweller may have been at ono
time member OF the band. j made no
such suggestion TO him, however. He was
constantly harping about his wrongs, and
assuring mo that the Doge had attempted
TO murder him with his own hand. To
prove his assertion he showed me scar
over his right ear, where the assassin's
blow had been delivered.
"Of course humored his hallucination,
and so we got on swimmingly together. or
course he left the cave occasionally, and
went in quest of provisions for his larder.
On these occasions he locked mo in room
opening from tho main cave, the door of
which was made OF heavy oak / presume
it had been used as the prison-room OF tho
outlaws who once inhabited the place.
IL lN hot
persuaded my keeper to permit me to ac-
company him on a visit 10 Stonefield, made
IN the night and on foot 1t was then that
| gave him the slip and managed TO keep
safe'v out of his clutches. i have met
Austin Wentword since, and learned from
HIM that Don Benito has been known TO
him for long time. He considers tho old
fellow harmless, but decidedly q lunatic."
twas strange story indeed that Lura
Joyce told Grace Penroy, under the glowof
the swinging lamp in the privacy Of her
own room. 1t did seem much like fairy
tale, and yet the presence of Lura was
proof that she had escaped death. 1t must
be true; IN fact, Grace never thought TO
doubt for one moment.
"lt IS strange story,n brcathed Grace,
at length. at seems like dream to me,
and can not be too thankful TO have you
back, alive and welln
"To you / am alive and well, TO others
must yet be as one dead" said Lura, in
low, guarded tone, as though she feared
the walls might have suddenly acquired the
gift Of hearing
'IWhy is thatl"
"That l may tho better Illustrate his
wicked schemes"
"To whom do you referi"
"Surely you can guess"
81 can not.n
Lura regarded her friend in apparent as
constituent.
"Is it possible that sou do not yet under
stand the true character Of Clinton Star
bright"
"I understand him perfectly" answered
Grace. "He has been very kind TO me
since grandpa died, and has taken all the
responsibility of my hands OF looking after
affairs about lone Hollow"
"And he will gladly assume control Of
the million or more your poor grand
father left" returned Lura, grimly.
"That is what he is after Don'ttrust him,
Grace. He Is a serpent, two-sided and
treacherous. beg you to beware Of that
man, who is evil from the sole Of his foot to
the crown Of his head. You will beware Of
him, tell me you piu,"
For once Lura Joyce seemed in deadly
earnest, and there was an intense pleading
in voice and mien as she bent toward her
cousin.
az do not fear him, but regard the Cap
tain as friend" returned Grace. "Yet
10 please you, will be ever on my guard"
"Thanks DO not mention tho fact of your
seeing me TO living soul. Keep my secret
until bid you speak, and you will never re-
gret 1t. Promise me this. Grace"
"Ipromise, certainly"
Then Lura sprang up, embraced and
kissed her cousin, and turned toward the
door.
"Imust 20 now, dearest, but we shall
meet again ere long. Goodnight"
Quickly turning the key Lura opened the
door and glided from the room. Swiftly
she passed down the stairs and thence out
into the night.
Barely had she gained the gate on the
road when she felt touch on her shoulder.
The moon Just then disclosed It's face
"Hal l thought so, Lura Joycei Not
dead but you shall die in an other minute -
A pair OF digits, cruel as death, closed
about the throat Of Lura, and she felt her
self sinking faiutinR, diving, 70 the ground.