Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-03-07

Inc OlQ woman W8lCcQ u SumC1eub tAu0
for the Captain to get well on his way, then
she went to one corner OF the room, moved
large rush mat aside, and STOPPING lifted .
trap-door.
"Come up, children; the coast il clear"
Then q head peered above the floor, shay
gy and unkempt, pair Of gittering eyes
peering from under beetling brows, ft mates
to Mother Cabera's.
CHAPTER VII.
DISTURBED HEARTS.
"This Captain Starbright seems to hang
about here continually, 0racel Can you
explain it,"
The speaker was q bronzed- looking young
man Of three and twenty, with honest
brown eyes and well-knlt frame He was
standing under q tree with his back against
the trunk, while Grace Penroy reclined on
the grass, with q book open in her lap, from
which she had lately been reading.
There was q frown on the young mans
face, as though he was deeply displeased at
something.
"Captain Starbright is grandpa's guest"
explained the girl "He seems to like the
Captain, and insists on his remaining here.n
"And this is the only reason for his
sojourn at Lone Hollowf" demanded the
young man, in a tone that was displeasing
to Grace. A swift bit of red shooting into
her cheek told how see was moved.
lie may nave other reasons"
.'You know he has, Grace Penroy," cried
the man, in voice harsh with aroused feel
| ing. 81 have heard all about it, that it is
settled that you and the Captain are to
| marry. The story is in everybody's mouth.
demand to know what foundation there is
| In such stories"
"None whatever"
Grace Penroy came to her feet and faced
| her .over, with flushed cheeks and flashing
Ha hnx h0 Vyyo0 Yrrnyy rod md no
demon jealousy had full possession Of him
! at that moment, binding him to reason and
| justice.
"Grace Penroy, do not believe you," he
| uttered in the masterful rage and grief that
| whelmed him at that moment. II have re-
ports that can rely on that prove all and
| more than the gQssips tell. did not think
you would so abuse the trust of an honest
heart. But it is gold! gold! nothing but
! goldi A female heart is tuned to no other
key"
| He was interrupted in his impassioned
| outbreak by gesture from Grace, whose
| cheeks had lost their color now, and were
pallid with the hurt his cruel words had
given her heart
''lt is wonderful, sir, how much you
know of woman's NATURE" she said, in a
low voice, husky and tremulous with feel
ing. "You distrust me, Austin Went
word, and, knowing this, it would bring
only misery to link my fate with yours. I
accept what you evidently wish, freedom
| from our engagement"
Then she tore a PLAIN gold circlet from
her finger and held it toward him.
"Grace, do you mean this2"
| He uttered the words in sort of astound-
ment. Evidently he had not intended that
their quarrel should lead to such q length.
"Distrust would kill me. Imean it, sir.
After to-day you need not come again."
l H0 acconfn6 the rim au6 oilonf Che
turned, forgetting her book that lay on the
ground, and was Fastening away when his
| voice held her steps.
"Miss Penroy, you have forgotten some
thing"
When she faced him again he was holding
the book toward her. He then advanced
and placed it in her hand.
s'Thanks, Mr.. Weutword."
Then she continued her course toward the
house, not many rods distant, the young
mechanic watching her retreating form
with mingled feelings of anger and sorrow.
Scarcely had she disappeared when another
stepped upon the scene in the person of
Captain Starbright
Unaware of the quarrel, although he had
been viewing the two from distance for
some time, the Captain knew not how mop
perfume was his coming. Wentword was
not in mood for sensible, gu ct converse,
and the sight of Captain Starbright, whom
he viewed as his successful rival, reused all
the evil in the young fellows nature. What
occurred would not have happened had my
hero been of that sanity pattern made to
order by some of the novel writer's of the
day.
Austin Wentword was human, and per-
haps had his full share OF faults; he GER
tainly was not a saint, and, at the present
time, his passions were reused to q high
pitch.
"Ah, whom have we herea'' sneered Cap
tain Starbright, In q lofty and insolent way
that was not calculated to soothe the wound
ed feelings of the Stonefield mechanic.
Austin grasped the Captains collar and
said, fercely:
"A man who can fog q score of such
pusillanimous sneaks as you are. You call
yourself Captain, Captain of what ]
should like to knowl II you were ever in
the army, it must have been as q private in
the rear rank of the home guard or broom
brigade.
"Unhand mel" ordered the Captain, al.
lowing his hand to seek his hlp beneath the
| skirts Of his coat. Here he usually carried
!. weapon ready for use IN case OF danger
"Not until make you confess that you
are coward and never was in the army.n
81 shall hurt You, young man, unless YOU
take your dirty paw OF my collar" threat
ened Captain Starlight now white with
| rage.
"Ihot Is how will unhand you,n cried
the angry mechanic, at the same time deal
ing the Captain sharp blow on the cheek
| with the fat Of his hand. "Go tell Miss
Penroy that send her cuwardly cur for Z