The Red Cloud chief., 1889-04-05
CHAPTER XVIII
FRIENDS AT A

CHAPTER XVIII
FRIENDS AT WAR
In vain Lura Joyce tried to cry out. The
terrible fingers about her throat shut on al
articulation.
"Yes, you shall dic!' Kissed the voice OF
Clinton Starbright, "A he crushed her TO the
ground. and chung TO her throat with the
fury OF a mailman.
He did not know how she came to escape
from the doom Of the gulch, no only knew
that she was alive and ready TO do him the
utmost harm. He saw her enter the house,
he guessed the truth, although he had not
seen her face, and had lain in wait until she
came Out.
He had come too a the goal OF his am
bilious desires 10 falter at t%rifies, or ut the
sacrifice Of human lives. There was no
mercy in his heart as he pressed the slen.
der girl under his hands to the earth.
Poor Lurai
She grew faint, and myriads OF strange
lights fitted before her vision. Wa this
death! Would no one come to the rescue
These thoughts fitted through the be-
nunbcd brain Of the dying girl, and then
the darkness Of inscnsibility crept over al.
'Scoundrel, l have you at last"
A hand clutched the arm OF the wicked
assassin, and the next instant he was hurled
rudcIy from his victim.
Captain Starbright uttered O low. alarmed
cry. Il was no ordinary affair to be caught
in such Q position, and he realized his danger
AT once.
Drawing his hat low, he attempted 10
escape, but n stern voice held his steps. and
sent a hill OF alarm 10 his raven heart
Run, or offer TO. and l firc!'
Then the Captain saw that he was COW
cred by q cleaning revolver. His "
hand fell to his hip. To his chagrin, how
ever, he discovered that he was unarmcd.
Il know you, Clint Starbright," Kissed
the stranger. The gold hills Of California
have waited for your return in vain. There's
. halter there which Judge Lynch has
knotied for the murderer. Your mask de-
ceived nc one. and eve the wide expanse Of
y continent between you and vour CRIME
will not save you. Murder! That seems
TO be your calling, and it is one betting
your c~haractcr-r
At thism moment the moon illuminated the
scene, and the strangers face was fully re-
ycalcd.
Captain S,arbright interrupted him with
a grca; cry.
..My God ! IL is Edr, Vandibe"
Aye! and the avcngcr OF the wronged.
I've ir.iiled YOU 10 your lair, imposter,
thief. assassin Now die, coward that you
are
A sharp report followed.
Captain ~Starbrighf sank 10 the ground.
and for some moments the avenger bent
over his victim.
dead :" he finally articulated. Then.
hearing steps and voices approaching, Ut
tracied doubtless by the report Of the re-
volvcr. the man turned and glarcd 1t Lura
Joyce, who still lay insensible on the
ground.
1.-THE lady is dead. Ihave q claim on her
a claim that Is greater than these people
with their millions"
He bent quickly, lifted the girl IN his
arms. and witt "A dciian; cry. rushed away
with Lura into the shadows Of the hollow.
Immediately after two men anne TO the
gate with u lantern. One was Sam, the
black stable boy, and the other the garden
err, Oscar Pagan.
''iIcllo. what's this - cried the gar
dener, as he flung the rays Of his lantern
over the PROSTATE man in the road.
its the Cap'n, marse Oscar.
captain Starbright, for q TRUTH ex-
claimed Pagan. "Wonder what's come over
him p
"Some uns shot the marse."
Just then, however. the Captain moved
and sat up. Ii proved that he had no. been
touched by the bullet. but had tainted from
the as,oundmcnt caused At seeing and rccog.
MIXING his asSailant
"No harm DONE" said Captain S;arbright,
"only l was assaulted by tramrs, Keep a
sharp lockout, Pagan. I'll make q search
for the sccundrcis IN the morning"
Then Captain Starbright FASTENED to the
house and was not long in gaining the pres
cnco Of Mrs, Fenroy.
The Captain was more deeply troubled to-
night than he had been in years. A ter
riole danger menaccd, and before his men,
tai vision dangied . ~hangrnan's rope. He
was in . tremor Of excitement. and his face
was very pale when he entered he pres
Of the widow Pcnrcy.
What is the truuble. You arc as pale -
. ghost, Captain"
Mrs. Penroy. you are playing false with
me-" cried the Captain. in . sharp tone,
that quivercd with anger.
81 do not understand you, sir"
An attempt has just been made upon
my life, and ! believe you Are at the bottom
Of it" he declared, fiercely.
"Ycu surprise me-"
The widow WAS calm n IN iciclc, and this
calmness only served to enra&e him the
more.
He paced the floor and cursed in . way
that wa terrible to hear.
Captain Starlight I will no: have this
IN my house." said An- Penrcy. with IN
unusual degree Of emphasis. "Y0ur storm
ing will do no good. What you mean b -
sertinR that IN attempt has been made
against your life I Do not know, bat one
thing I do know. and that b that I have d.
"a aaserf nv aufhoritv know Onl