Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1889-05-23
CHAPTER Xxx.
UNDER A SPELL.

hight vehlcle.
II have been duped In the worst kind of
way" he nluttered through close-shut
teeth. 'sMother CABRERA lied to me when she
pointed out that grave in the cellar and as
sured me that there lay the mortal remains
of my enemy, Lura Joyce. That girl, sharper
than detective, is determined to be my
ruin. How did she escape deaths can only
answer that the ugly twins have entered the
league against me. 1t was all a plot to bring
destruction upon me, but it will not work
Worst of all, Karl Vandible lives. lean not
understand that. Wonders will never cease
in this world and all of the fates seem just
now to combine against me, but will defy
the fates and WIN this game, else go down
with colors at the mast
Mounting the seat the Captain drove
swiftly away.
1t was late at night when he reached
Stoneheld-too late to consult with his law
verso he put up at little public house, re-
solved to rest until the dawn of another day.
He was early astir. Almost the first per-
son he encountered in the hotel Office after
breakfast was Louis Fingal, the handsome
young hunter. The Captain was not exactly
certain as to the status of Fingal-on the
whole he set the youth down as not his
friend at least, although he might not be in
active league with his enemies.
'lam glad to see you, Captain
Fingal held out his hand.
ssIndeed. We seem to meet at unexpected
times and places,' returned Starbrlght,
accepting the friendly proffer.
"Yes. You came from Lone Hollow late
last night3''
'sThe hour was not early, that's fact"
'Did you meet Miss Joyces'
"Slr?'
Captain Starbright glanced keenly into
the face of the youth before him.
81 asked if you met Miss Joyce. She is
friend of mine, and as she set out to visit
her cousin Grace thought you might have
met her. The roads seem dangerous to
travel these days, and l tried to dissuade
the girl from going, but she insisted on it."
''Indeed. You astound me, sir.''
''How is that:,
Il supposed you We're aware of the fact
that Miss Joyce disappeared mysteriously
some weeks since, and it was supposed that
she met with an accident"
Il heard about it, answered Fingal,
coolly, offering his cigar case to the Captain,
who selected a fragrant roll and proceeded
to light it.
''Then you will Understand how absurd it
seems to me when you speak of seeing said
young lady," said the Captain, as he sat
down next the window and proceeded to
puff great clouds OF perfumed smoke up
ward.
Fingal cast a keen glance about the room,
returned his clgarcase to his pocket with
out taking one himself, and leaning on the
Captains shoulder. peered down into his
dark face, and with a half smile stirring his
lips, said:
Il suppose you do think 1t absurd, my
dear Captain, yet it is, nevertheless, true
that did see Lura Joyce, and that she did
go to Lone Hollow last night 1t seems that
an attempt was made upon her life by
couple of low ruffians, and that it failed,
thanks to the interference of an unexpected
friend. / haven't learned the full particu-
lars yet, but l expect to when see the
young lady again"
tYou surprise me,'' uttered Starbright.
81 am glad, however, to know that the girl
escaped. Why did she remain away so
longs
'Of course you are glad. You and Miss
Joyce were such good friends"
Was there sarcastic ring in the voice
of the young hunter Captain Starbright
imagined so, and the small dark face seemed
to take on a mocking smile. The Captain
fdgeted in his seat, yet, somehow, seemed
riveted to the chair.
He attempted to rise, but Fingars hand
pressed gently yet firmly against his Shout
der, and in a low voice he said:
''No. no, my dear Captain, keep your seat.
am becoming interested as well as your
SELF
And the Captain remained.
He seemed subject to strong spell, and
faces and objects began to float and be-
come indstlnct. Even the voice of Fingal
was but an indistlnct murmur.
4
and permitted a gentle languor to steal over
his senses.
1.-The girl was miraculously saved" pro-
ceeded Fingal, land she has returned to
make it interesting for the villain who en-
ployed u couple of ruffians to murder her.
1t was the desperate work of an assassin
throwing off the detective that was hot on
his track A girl detective! That sounds
odd, yet l do believe that Lura Joyce is
nothing less, and that she will not cease
her efforts until prince of villains is run
to earth"
Captain Starbright, although hearing but
inds tinctly, yet felt vibration of fear at
his heart, and the smiling, dark face of
Louis Fingal seemed like black Nemesis
frowning upon him.
What was it that bound his limbs as
though in a wise, and held him on the
now that Fingal was his foe and he strived
to cxtricate himself from the unseen
meSheS.
Vain effort
Although two tramps seized and hurled
the girl over precipice, she was not killed.
She lives, and You will yet meet her, if you
have not already, since her resurrection
from supposed death at the bottom of
Hangman's Gulch."
why do you thus address me!' artic-
ulated the Captain with no little difficulty.
I" W hat has the fate of this simple girl to do
with me.''
"Do you say it has nothing?'
The hooking smile still fingered on the
face of Louis FinEal.
'Of course, that is the fact
"But III that case who paid those two
rufians for their work."
81 do not know
''Captain Clinton Starbright. YOU do know
asserted Fingal, with ringing emphasis.
g You would gladly give your right hand to
be assured that Lura Joyce was dead"
"Where did you learn so mucn.n
"From observation. You attempted to
take Lura Joyces life last night, but was
frightened from your work.
Captain Starbright shook the hand of
Fingal from his shoulder and attempted to
gain his feet. For the life of HIM he could
not. An invisible hand held him down. and
seemed to bind the very throbbings of his
heart
All! what spell is thisa
Captain Starbright writhed and twisted
in his chair while Fingal continued to re-
gard him with that plying yet malicious
smile.
A tinkIe on the glass caused the helpless
Captaiu to look without. A face was