Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-05-02
Or, The Peril, Of the Panroys
4 Thrilling and Romantic Story
OF Love and Adventure
BIZ JAMES NJ. MERRILL, AUTHOR OF "BooUa
BILL" FISHER JOE" AND
OTHER STORIES
rCopyi0bt. 1855, by the H. n KtElo0s Gsaos-
paper Con.pdny1
CHAPTER XIV.
| SHOT FROM AMBUSH.

Brace. "A she leaned confidingly against his
yhoulder and glanced up into his brave,
lark eyes.
There il perfect trust now, darling"
Returned the young mechanic. II was 70
blame entirely"
She stopped his lips with soft hand. ga
"Not word like that, Austin. ! know
mat 1 was hasty as well. Let it pass.
have other troubles now"
.sOther troubles, dearf"
"About poor grandpa's will"
s.But why should that trouble you,
sracea He left every thing to you, under
ttand." - -
.'Wella' as she hesitated and dropped
her honest gaze from his face, 81 am afraid
he will is not genuine"
sNot genuine? What do you mean Pm
lure I've heard your grandfather say
tcore of times, if 1 have once, that you
would have all his property when he was
zone"
81 know, and believe that such was his
htention,' said Grace, in an unsteady
toice, 'sbut-but he did not live 70 sign the
will" I
ssWho tells you thisa'' demanded the
Foung mechanic, hotly. ut is a scheme to
deprive you of your rights, Grace, and you
hust not submit to it -"
Why was he so earnesti Was it possible
that sordid motive influenced him after
lla Grace permitted this thought to mar
aer happiness for moment only, then she
EAST it from her as an unworthy reflection
IN the character OF her noble lover
II have seen my grandfather's will,
Austin and do not dou bt but what it con-
;ains his true intentions" returned the
girl, after a moments reflection; 'yet even
4 all is right, could not live up to the con-
iitiOns, should prefer death sooner" h~,.,-
''What are the conditioner
'sThat become the wife of Clinton Star
bright"
''Impossiblep'
ut is true"
.Who showed this to your
Lawyer Gripes read it, and I have no
reason to dispute the contents of the docu-
nent"
''Then the will is false, would be willing
% swear to that" declared the young
nan, Indignantly. ''This Starbright is at
:he bottom Of a tremendous scheme. can
1ot believe that old Mr.. Vandible could
end himself TO such wickedness If in his
right mind.''
''Great influence must have been brought
% bear if he did agree to that" said Grace
SIN any event shall renounce the fort
ine.n
elf the will holds good, who inherits,
9th your refusal to marry the Captainr'
"Nr. Starbright" ,..l .4s
"Ithought SO. You may depend upon it
mat it is a put up job that must not be per-
hitted to succeed. do not believe Morgan
Vandible ever signed such paper as that
knowingly"
'.He did not, am sure Of that" asserted
Grace - IT,,
"Then the docume 1t is a forgery"
81 fear So"
Grace then related the incidents of the
hight when her grandfather died, when she
.ushed into the room, thinking she heard
linn calling, only to find that he was dead,
and the will, just drawn up for his sigma
;ure lay before his sightless eyes un-
signed.
s.Whatever had been the intention Of
grandfather he certainly did not live to
place his signature to the WILL" concluded
Brace, in a voice husky with the intensity
II her emotions.
alt is a clear case of the basest rascality!"
exclaimed Austin Wentword. ITO me it
seems evident that Captain Starbright and
ais lawyer have plotted to throw the million
eft by your grandfather into the hands of
she former. No doubt Star bright would be
willing for you to refuse to marry him, for
then .he vast fortune would fall entirely
INTO his hands. 1t is a barefaced scheme that
Fan be easily frustrated"
1T must be. Within two weeks the heirs
will be summoned before the probate court
20 give reasons, if any exist, why this will
be not admitted to probate as the honest
instrument of Morgan Vandibles hand:
At that time your testimony will be of the
utmost Importance.
Eyes," family
81 believe your evidence alone will be
sufficient to break the will, but we must
have more to corroborate yours"
SHOW can you get more" queried Grace.
II was the only one present save the
Captain and lawyer Gripes." IS h
"WelI. we must find more evidence" de-
clared the young mechanic. 81 will consult
with our mutual friend, Louis Fingal. He is
wise and keen; between US all believe we
shall be able to outwit Captain Starbright
and his scoundreliy lawyer. Circumstances
evidence can be brought in. The forged
signature, of course. is not likely to be an
exact counterpart of Mr.. Vandible's chirog-
raphy, and that will count for u good deal.
We have two weeks in which to work, in
which time much can be done"
"Y es," agreed Grace, with sigh. 81 wish
Lura was back here, am so lonely In the
great house with only mother and the Cap
tain. may be foolish, but somehow have
q dread of BOTH
either" declared Wentword. t'Lura will
the best day he ever saw"
ST have always felt safe when my, COUSIN
was here" said Grace. 81 was quite over.
powered with joy when she returned, but
she made me promise not to reveal her
coming, as she wished to remain dead to the
world for q time, the better to thwart the
plots of Captain Starbrlght, who at that
time TRUSTED more fully than do now"
HE is villain without one redeemIue
trait believe that it was he who at
tempted the life Of Lura- They are bitter
foes, and he feared she would stand in hi.
way. The two tramps who hurled her int
Hangman's Gulch that night handled some
Of Captain Starbright's money for tina,
work, am fully assured.''
allow terrible!' uttered Grace. SIT doe6
not seem possible that one so apparently
kind, 50 elegant in manners, could be g
deeply wicked"
ssPerhaps you still douhta' eN
81 confess to incrednlity to a certain ex
tent. I can not believe that Clinton Star
bright would stoop to murder 1t seems
too horrible tor belief"
ssTime will TELL" answered the youns
mechanic. II have learned enough r
satisfy me that no crime is too vile for thu
adyenturer. BY breaking the viii and ex
poeinr the .ii;ainy Of Starbright we throw
every thing into your mothers hands, bu
tSers seems 70 be NO othar way"