The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1889-06-19

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When he gained the hall below, which
was dimly lighted by braoket-lamps, the
mans face stood revealed, and we recog-
nize him as the genial hunter, Louis Fin
gal. He passed to the end of the hall, lifted
window and peered out into the night,
listening intently
~ hear no sound Of wheels" he NUT
tered II hope DR.. Cotton and his patient
will not disappolnt me tonight. To watch
that villain, and guard a precious life,
without making q balk, is tiresome and
dangerous. 1t must be time too, for that
Infamous Captain to come nosing about
heard him tell Lucy that she need not look
for him in several days, but Judge that to
be blind. Possibly, however, he may
have taken the alarm. He was out until
late last night, and seemed pale and agi-
tated when he returned"
The reader can readily guess why the
Captain was agitated on the previous night.
The apparition at the pool had completely
unnerved him for time On the morning
following he had driven away toward
Stonefeld, assuring both Lura and Lucy
that he intended to be absent several days.
Fmgal had been where he overheard this,
but he had not believed It,
After listening a minute Fingal closed
the window and turned his steps toward
Graces room. He found the door closed,
and at once applied his hand to the knob. 1t
refused to yield.
Dropping to tho floor Fingal attempted to
peer into the room through the keyhole. No
light glimmered there, and then the young
hunter seemed to realize for the first time
that something was wrong inside the sick
chamber. He thrust q small reed that he
picked from the floor into the keyhole.
He then made discovery.
The hole had been stoutly plugged
Something surely was wrong. He grasped
the knob and shook the door.
No answer from within.
A chill shot to the heart of Fingal. He
called the name Of Lucy and Of Grace, but
received no answer. A terrible fear OPP
pressed the young hunters heart as he
turned from the door and hurried To the
stairs. He sped down these, three steps at
time, and came near landing In the arms
the colored maid.
"Lucy, you heren demanded Fingal,
hoarsely. "Who is with Gracel"
Miss Lura, 'spect"
~ do not believe it,
"But left her dar-"
"Something is wrong" interrupted Fin
gal, seizing and shaking the maid furiously.
"You haven't been faithful, girl The door
to Graces room is locked. Have you the
keyln
deed, marse, hasn't.p
Fingal stood irresolute for one moment,
then sprang 10 the outer door, opened 1t
and passed out into the night He hast
ened 10 the side OF the building, TO spot
where light glimmered from an upper
window, the window OF Grace Penroy's
room.
For an instant the young man stood
irresolute; then, seeming to remember |
something, he sped to the rear of the old |
house and in less than minute returned |
bearing In his hands ladder. 1t was but
short work 10 place this up against the |
side Of the house. Al4l
II Just reached the window-siA. r.
A moment later tho young hunter was
mounting swiftly upward. He soon gained |
the top and although the curtains were
drawn he found crevice through which
be could peer into the room.
What he saw caused him TO start and
nearly fall from the ladder. His hands
ciinched the stone sill until the blood
seemed ready TO burst from beneath tho
nails.
In the center Of the room stood Captain
Starbright, with look on his face that
was actually terrifying. II was only With
the utmost effort that Fingal held himself
from falling. rrl.f yrI.
The Captains hat lay on the floor. His
coat was on, his arms bare TO tho elbows,
and he was evidently meditating some
terrible deed. Fingal saw him move toward
the bed, gaze for one moment at the placid
face OF the apparently sleeping girl then
bend forward with the look Of O fiend, and
twine his fingers about the throat Of his
unsuspecting victim. s,.tl.
"Great heaven he would strangie herp'
gasped Fingal, hoarsely, almost losing his
hold In the intensity Of his horror. With q
mighty effort he steadied himself seized
the sash, lifted II swiftly and plunged head
long into the room.
The noise and the unexpected appearance
OF the hunter startled the would-be assas-
sin from his work, and he at once turned
his attention 10 the newcomer. He giared
an instant in evident alarm, then, with an
imprecation, sprang at theyouth as he came
TO his feet.
"Murdererp cried Fingal.
"Hai the Internal hunter sneak. I'll
throttle you for thisp and Captain Star
bright, evidently completely mastered BY
rage and fear, sprang with the fury Of q
madman at the throat Of his unwelcome
visitor.
Together the two went 10 the floor In a
struggle for the mastery. At the same
time a wild scream filed the room. Grace,
wakened by the combat was terribly
frightened, and 1t was her voice that filed
the Old house with lis piercing notes Of
alarm.
Fingal struggled desperately, but seemed
TO be no match for the infuriated Captain.
"rl throttle youp' Kissed Starbright.
I" You have meddlod with me and my affairs
for the last time"
At this moment the long black hair on !
Fingars head came into the clutches Of
Starbright, another moment and his locks
were free from the head OF his antagonist.
With great cry Captain Starbright came
10 his feet, quickly followed by the. hunter.
A hand tried the door, and voice without
demanded admittance. Unheeding this the
Captain stood staring at Fingal His
astoundment seemed too full for words
And no wonder.
Before him stood, in the person Of Fingal,
another person entirely. There was no mis-
taking that face, the pug nose, with mus
tache brushed aside, that dancing, red
foretop.
"Laira Joyce, as / livei" exclaimed the
astounded Captain. |,
Tho girl regarded him with folded arms,
breathing short her eyes flashing, her i