Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-02-28

81 did mean II, Ma Penroy, . he declared.
emphatically. sIfnsssltFt..
ssWhere is shel. Who Is she!''
He burst into O harsh, unmusical laugh.
81 am not quite a fool, Mrs. Penroy, he
said, deity. ssDo you imagine that would
trust you further than have? Not it
know myself. It is not too late yet for you
to hold all you have gained; but it must be
through different influence than you have
lately exerted. Iwant you to help me with
the hand of your daughter"
81 have endeavored to do 50, Captain"
In faint sort of way, I admit; but
different line must be pursued hereafter.
You must forbid the visits Of Austin Went
wurd.'' So 81 ts {.ssyz.5
g He might not cease, even them"
"Well, will assist you little, and be-
tween US both think we can put flea in
the young fellows ear that III drive him
away enectually.'' G
Il will listen to your plan"
The Captain resumed his seat.
"You have access to your daughters
room!" he questioned, in confidential
tone.
Certainly" she answered.
"Her letters-you have seen them"
"They are in her private drawer, which
| is always locked, I beheve.''
Nevertheless, you can get at them for
short timer
| 81 might"
"Certainly you can. I must see some
| that have come from this mechanic"
"There may be none"
"Don't you believe that. The stage
passes every day, and 1 am confident that
| Grace receives letters. I think we can
manage to break up this little love match,
if you will do as I wish. There is no harm
| in trying, at any rate"
"No, truly"
| "You will help me7''
| ITO the best of my weak ability" an
swered the widow.
ssThat is all 1 ask"
Once more he came to his feet and passed
to the door. He paused and again turned
| back.
81 will call again tomorrow" he said, re-
Stunning his seat. ''By that time you may be
able to abstract a letter from the desk OF
Grace; it must be the last one if possible.
Shall need one of hers, too, or specimen
Of her chirography, wish to make copy.
See?,'
ST think do" ~
| "Another question. What do you know
of Grace's cousin, who is to visit Lone Hol-
low?''
"Very little," returned Mrs. Penroy.
"She is an orphan and is coming to make it
her home here"
"Who invited her?"
"The old gentleman" +
| "Your father?"
| eyes. OF course seconded the motion. It
was really Grace who instituted proceed
ings that have resulted in her coming. Ny
| father dotes on Grace, and he will do any
thing that she asks of him."
cit seems so, the old fool" retorted Mr..
Starbright, vexedly. 81 thought had the
| old man ready to accept and further my
suit with his granddaughter, but to-day he
| told ne that he should not interfere with
the girl in any particular. I felt angry
| enough to rap him one"
81 beg of you to be careful, Captain. ALI
depends on him, you know. He is very
changeable. Tomorrow he may be ready
to urge Grace to an acceptance of your suit.
There's no telling twenty-four hours in ad-
vance what father will do or say. AS he
grows older he is more given to such
freaks.''
est seems sou
There was trouble deep down in tAe
heart of Captain Clinton Starbright that
from the realizing sense that Lura Joyce
| was coming to Lone Hollow to live. Why
should the exquisite Captain care for the
presence of a puny girl, even If he did not
like her?
There was good cause for his coming. He
| would have given his good right hand to
keep Lura Joyce away from Lone Hollow.
Such a sacrifice>would not avail, however,
and Captain Starbright was miserable.
He remained with the widow until a late
hour, and then left the parlor in evident
haste.
He had misla1d his hat, it seemed, and
had trouble in finding it. He went to the
room where he had met Grace some time
before. Neither the girl nor the hat-.were
there.
81 left it on the rack in the hall, am
sure" he muttered. "Some imp of mis-
chief has removed it to bother and vez
me-"
And this was true.
At the end of the hall, near the front
door, door opened into a small reception
room on the right
Captain Starbright stood here now, in
the shadows, debating what course to pur
sue, vexed and angry, when the side door
opened suddenly and a low voice said:
Captain Starbright, here is your hat
It is pity you have been detaineda''
He turned, thrilled by the voice, apG
looked into the laughing eyes of his enemy
Lura Joyce! asI
CHAPTER "
MISS JOYCE's TEMPER.
"Miss Joyce!" exclaimed the Captain, re
coiling as though he had stepped on ho
iron. ft@a
She twisted his silk tile on her hand, re
, marking:
"Your hat, please. did not mean t.
steal it,
He seized it and drew it low over his
light from window near revealed hel
| face and form Quite distinctly One glance