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

LURA AND THE CAPTAIN.
"She will not die, Captain Starbright, but
if she should, you would be the one to hang
instead of the man taken to Jail this night
by the county sheriff"
The Captain stared.
Had she then heard his muttered words!
How came she here at this hour of the nighta
He had seen nothing of her since she
appeared to him in the road in front of the
mansion weeks before, when he had at
tempted to murder her. To him she seemed
to bear a charmed life. How much did she
know of his real character, of his hand in
the first attempt that had proven such a
disastrous failure! Had she learned aught
from the maniac whose dead body slept SO
safely beneath the surface of the forest pool?
He could not answer these questions, but
he at once formed a plan of action, resolving
inwardly to tide over presen trouble as
smoothly as possible.
"You choose to make yourself disagree
able, Miss Joyce" he said, with smile,
that caused the wings of his tawny mus
tache to lift and then droop suddenly. Il
am nevertheless glad to meet YOU"
He held out his hand.
Wonderful as it may seem, she accepted
the prefer Of friendship, and returned his
smile with one Of equal cunning.
81 suppose you did not expect me, Cap
tain!"
''No, but am pleased all the same. Some
one is needed at Lone Hollow who can take
complete charge of the internal affairs dur
ing Miss Penroy's illness. Her mother is
utterly incompetent.'
ssYou think / could assume charged"
"If you will, certainly"
Thus coolly talked the two who were
deadly enemies. Lura knew that he was
aching to strangle her, even while his dark
face was wreathed in smiles. She had en-
tered the house for a purpose that could be
better carried through by assuming meek
ness she did not feel, and so she smothered
her true feelings.
''Of course l will remain. heard that
my cousin was badly injured, and fastened
here at once. Really this is all the home l
have, and I meant to come soon In any
event Many changes have taken place
since / left here weeks ago. When / think
of all that have passed through find my
self wondering that am yet alive"
TT is II wouder'
considering the hand you had in it, Cap
taiu''
She smiled wickedly as she regarded him,
her red foretop quivering unpleasantly.
You wrong me, Lura," he said, in low,
subdued tone. II was mad that night,
absolutely crazed when assaulted you at
the gate. have never been fully able to
explain that to myself. / meant at the first
opportunity to beg your pardon"
=" Indeed And you had no hand in hurl-
ing me into the gulch that nights" Her eyes
fairly pierced him to the quick.
She was treading on dangerous ground,
but she could not resist the temptation.
" Into the gulchs l do not understand"
he said, evidently perplexed. 81 never knew
what happened to you that night last sum-
mer, Lura. meant to ask about that at the
first opportunity"
Which, when it occurred, you attempted
to strangle me out yonder in the darkness"
Her hand was raised, finger pointing
toward the road.
Lura, let me explain"
~ am listening" icily.
You know that like most men have q
weakness-love of wealth. l admit that
have attempted questionable practices in
order to obtain it. / came here to Lone
Hollow to win its heiress You see, am
frank with you. I never meant to stain my
soul with crime, however. for against
blood revolt as heartily as even YOURSELF"
mo BE CONTINUED