The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1889-03-01

Now she had followed him to Lone Hol-
low. and of course would use her influence
to cheat him out of the million that would
fall to the fortunate one who married
Grace Penroy. 1t was this fact that gave
the scheming man such uneasiness and vex-
alton.
"Miss Joyce, of what use is it to put your
self forever in my path !'' he finally de-
manded. ''If you would only show a proper
regard for my feelings, l would be willing
to cry quits and use you well in the future.
There isn't the least sense in our being
enemies"
81 am your enemy because 1 know you,
Clinton Starbright," she said, grimly. 81
know more than YOU imagine of the part
you had in a tragedy of a year ago. l am
here, for one thing, to watch you and see that
you take no unfair advantage of innocence.
suppose you can comprehend that"
81 think ought"
"You haven't spark of honor in your
composition" she went on. 81 can read
you like book To me your nature is as
transparent as glass. l understand your
motive for coming here; l realize the peril
in which the Penroys exist, and let me
tell you at the outset that if you win in
the game you are playing you will have to
earn your success"
"You speak in riddles, Miss Joyce" he
returned, affecting not to understand her
meaning.
II shall not trork that way, at all events"
she retorted.
"Again say your language is all rid
die to me. Iwould like you to explain your
self, Miss Joyce"
81 do not think it is necessary"
"You doubt my sincerity?"
A hurt expression touched his darkly
handsome face. There was one woman liv-
ing who could neither be deceived nor fat
tered by the dangerously handsome Cap
tain. fact that he was soon to realize to his
chagrln.
81 have no doubts on the subject, Cap
tain Starbright," she declared. 81 knoU
that you are not sincere. Honesty and you
parted company a long time ago, soon after
you came to years of understanding, l
should judge. know why You are guest
at Lone Hollow, and mean to thw-rt you
i'm every thing"
"This is why you are here"
Perhaps
He smiled and plucked at his mustacha
However displeased he might be he failed
to show it on his countenance.
81 can afford to laugh at your insinua-
tons, Iura Joyce" he said, in an easy
tone. 81 know how jealous women are
prompted to do and say things that to sensi-
BILE people seem extremely foolish"
He then attempted to rise to his feet. She
prevented him with a sudden gesture of
angry vehemence.
'Cowardi' she Kissed. ''That could be
jealous of such snake as you is beyond
l. IL Al~..s
l scorned your advances IN other daysl l
might have been chained 20 You then had
so wished. l did not. A coward in war
and sneak in peace is not the stuff to
make women jealous! That insinuatfon
will not pass current, Clinton Starbright."
He plucked more fiercely at his mustache
then, and a bit of red shot into his swarthy
cheek. 1t was evident that she had touched
a tender spot at last. He came to his feet
then, and confronted her with black look.
81 had hoped that you would be reasona-
BILE, Miss Joyce" he said, in a low tone of
disgust and rage. Il find that you do not
mean to be any thing of the kind, sol sup
pose it must necessarily be war between
US, but in the end l will teach you lesson
that you Will not soon forget"
When he would stride away she sprang
up anu caught HIS arm, peuulus her l@ce
close to his until the trembling curls on
her foretop caressed his cheek.
"Clinton Starbright, it shall be war be-
tween US, war TO the hit. Your base
schemes will fail can read the hand
writing of your doom on the wall. To-day
the Penroys are in deadly peril, but in plot
ting to win the Vandible fortune you are
Nearing pour orn sliroud, remember thatr'
She flung his arm aside then, and darted
into the house