Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1889-04-04
CHAPTER v.


Lura Joyce!
CHAPTER v.
| MISS JoYCE's TEMPER.
"Miss Joyce!' exclaimed the Captain, re-
coiling as though he had stepped on hot
| ircn.
She twisted his silk tile on her hand, re-
| marking:
Your hat, please. did not mean to
| steal it,
He seized it and drew it low over his
brows. As she stood in the doorway, the
| light from a window near revealed her
face and form quite distinctly. One glance
| into the short, round face was sufficient to
| proclaim her not a beauty.
There was square set to the lower jaw
not compatible with feminine beauty. Her
| complexion would have been exquisite but
| for freckles. The square nose rather after
the style denomlnated pug, showed aggress-
| iveness, as did the jaw and mouth. The
| forehead, low and broad, was surmounted
by short, crisp, defiant red curls that
danced and fluttered with every turn of her
head Her form was slender to attenua-
ton, and withal Lura Joyce was not calcu-
lated at first sight to win the admiring gaze
of the human male biped.
There was something in her face and
movements, however, that demanded q sec
ond look, and when this was given, third
would follow, and then more pleasing as
pect appeared, ending at last in fascination.
Captain Starbright had felt this last SEN
satlOn more than once, and it was stealing
over him now spite of the fact that he
knew that Lura Joyce was to be his most
bitter enemy in the contest that was to
come. He threw off the magnetism with
an effort and said:
$50 it was yOu mischief who stole my
hat. mi ght have known it,"
'Of course
.'When did you arrived"
''Just here. l saw and recognized youl
hat as 1 passed down the hall looking for
Grace, and SO l thought I'd bother you
little" she said, solemnly.
500 You mean to say that you haven't
seen Grace yet?"
Il mean Just that. You sec, missed the
stage, and so had to come on horseback. I
didn't mind that, however, since l anu a
regular Comanche, and can ride like IA
what is it you call 'em! l have it, q
Centaur." Then she laughed merrlly, and,
stepping into the hall, closed the door be-
hind her.
They were both in the shadow. He
felt wicked just at that moment, and
raised his hands as though he would
strangle the girl. He seemed to realize that
this was not the time or place for such work
and restrained himself, and muttered some
thing commonplace.
Then he opened the outer door and passed
out.
$50 you are here at Lone Hollow, SER
pent!' soliloquized the girl in low, mean
ing tone. sWell, reckon it means war be-
tween us, Captain Starbright, and the
sooner it comes to a focus the better for all
concerned"
1t was almost night when Captain Star
bright stepped upon the long porch. He
glanced up and down keenly, but saw no
one. Old Mr.. Vandible had retired to his
room, but his great armchair stood there,
a reminder of the old gentleman himself.
Captain Starbright flung himself into the
capacious chair and with knitted brows
thought over the situation.
II must consult Mother CABRERA" he
muttered. ''She will be able to help me in
this emergency
A light step startled him. He wheeled
about in his chair sharply to meet the smil-
ing gaze of Lura.
''You must be weary after your days
vigis, Mr.. Starbright. | am requested by
Grace to ask you to come in out of the
damp. She is indeed most solcitous after
your health.'
He realized that hidden sarcasm lurl1ed
beneath her words, and he felt angry.
you have met Grace, then:'' he ques-
toned, indifferantly.
Eyes. We are already friends. Feeling
somewhat indisposed she requested me to
call you and
'sSit down there, Lura Joyce" he inter-
rupted, shortly. Il wish 4 word wish you.''
He pointed to the vacant chair near. She
accepted it without word, and cast a de-
mure glance at him from under her sandy
brows.
''Why have YOU come to Lone Holows"
he demanded. bluntly.
''This is to be my home hereafter" was
her reply.
Your homc.''
He seemed angered at the announcement
Yes, Captain Starbright, my home" she
repeated, grimly. Il am Grace's cousin,
and she has kindly invited me to live under
the same roof with her. With a million
more or less at her command can see no
harm in this
Mo- with frown
Now permit me to ask you one.'
She lifted her head, and her short red
curls danced defiantly. He made no re-
mark and she proceeded.
''Now, sir, why is it that you are herea
Answer me that, please"
Il am simply guest"
"Slmply guest! Do you expect me to be-
lieve that, Clinton Starbright.'
II care not what you believe
81 suppose not. y GU may, however, be-
fore this war dance ends fired the girl,
with an emphasis quite unnecessary, he
thought. He remained cool unler her
whitening gaze. This was not tce first
time the two had crossed swords. Once,
not a year before, he had actually paid
court to the fiery Miss Joyce.
At the time he was led to believe that
she was to inherit large fortune. A col
lapse in her fathers fortune came sud-
denly, and Immediately after, the death of
the old speculator Then Captain Star
bright lost all interest in the girl, and had
HAD the ill grace to make sport of her at his
club. Lura Joyce had come into possession
Of the facts, and from beng friendly she
came to be the Captains most relentless
enemy. He had more thar cnce felt what
it was to have this girls bate, and he reSa-
ised that it was no small affair.
TO BE cONT1AUknl