The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1889-05-29
CHAPTER XVII.
MISS JoYoR's MISFORTUNE.

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MISS JoYoE's MISFORTUNE.
| The weeks passed. y '.
Grace improved rapidly, and was soon
able to sit up, although the doctor advised
quiet and no attempt at exertion, until she
was fully recovered, since reaction might
set in.
The probate court granted stay OF some
weeks regarding the will Of the late Mr..
Vandible, on account OF the illness OF inn
portant witnesses. Lura Joyce had sue
ceeded in gaining this concession from the
court in spite Of tho covert opposition oi
Captain Starbrghtand his attorney
"The will Is fraud, and can be proved
so II you will wait until the young Miss
Penroy and her mother are able TO appear"
declared Lura, and so once again was the
scheming Captain thwarted.
He understood TO whom he owed his non
success, and the bitter feeling IN his heart
for the brave young girl deepened into
absolute hatred.
Miss Joyce often visited Stoneheld in
the interestof the young mechanic, who
lay in the county jail waiting the outcome
Of Grace Penroy's injury.
II was an outrage not TO permit bail, Lura
Joyce declared, and the young man in
nocent too, The Captain and his attorney,
however, managed 10 have the bail fixed at
snch high figure that none OF Austin
Wentword's friends could aid him, and so
the mechanic, wholly innocent as the reader
knows, languished in jail. The testimony
Of Captain Starbright before the justice In
whose court Wentword had his exami-
nation was positive against the prisoner,
| and as the Captain was prominent citizen
there could be no doubling his oath
Lura Joyce fretted at this not a little,
but, finding that nothing could be done TO
rescue the young man from prisoa until
| freed by due process Of law, she gave up
the case and turned her thoughts and ef-
forts in another channel
Mrs. penroy was soon able 10 attend upon
the wants Of her daughter, thus leaving
Lura Joyce moro time TO herself.
al believe Captain 5tarbright is at the
bottom Of all this iniquity," declared Lura
one day To Grace. "You, Of course, know
that Austin wentword is innocent OF an at
tempt on your life"
"Certalniy," assured Grace. "He and !
were standing together when the shot was
fred by soma one In ambush"
aWelL you shall testify To this in good
time. ! have surprise In store for Clin.
ton Starbright that will take him down q
peg when he comes 10 chew on Il; and, mind
| you, Grace, the villain shall begin the mas
tication before he Ia many days older"
| az am not sure but what you wrong the
Captain" said poor little Grace, with q
faint, sad smile. sHe has been very kind
| 70 me during NV illness.n
"Rindl All put on, my dear, every bit Of
it," declared Lura, quickly.
i To this the invalid made no reply.
AS she sat supported by pillows in
great armchair she presented o pretty
picture, that even her more boisteroui
cousin could not fail 70 admire.
".You will soon be strong again. dear,
said Lura. at seems incredible that sucl
an accident should come 10 one so good q
you are, Grace. Sometimes think that
pds an accident You see, am sentimental
like other girls, once In awhile"
Then Lura gave vent 10 sharp littl,
laugh and sprang To her feet, glidini
swiftly from the room.
On her way 10 Stoneiield that very da,
on the stage the horses became frightened
and ran, the stage was overturned, an,
several Of the passengers injured, anon
them Lura Joyce.
"Confound the luckl" exclaimed the girl
when she found her ankle sprained 8
severely as TO prevent her bearing he
weight on II. "pn never ride In that stun
old coach again This serves me right 70
not going on my own conreyance-theb bac
OF Romeo"
The driver secured q farmers wagon, Il
which he conveyed bis passengers 10 tn
city. Miss Joyce found shelter at th
house of q friend, where, TO her !chagrn
she was compelled 10 remain for sewers
days on account OF her injuries.
While here she was visited by grave
looking gentleman OF thirty, whose sobe
face and quiet manners were In direct cor
trast 10 the bubbling exuberance OF Mis-
Joyce. This gentleman was DR.. Cotton
really the most learned and gifted physicia
in the city. That he was q friend Of Lur
Joyce was proved from the cordial nature 0
their meeting.
"How Is your patient, DR.. Coltonl"
This was about the first words after
good hearty hand-shake. Lura, with on
foot swathed resting on hassock, reclin
esting picture. The grave, dark eyes Of th
young doctor evinced their admiration b
the earnestness Of their gaze.
my patient Is fast gaming, and will 500
be sound as q dollar-my old patient but q
10 my young one that remains 10 be seen,
and Lura actually blushed under the affec
tomato earnestness Of his gaze eat
80 you heard Of my little tumblei' sh
retorted, quickly. II had no idea that
should require the services Of O physician.
"That remains 70 be seem % M
He then bent over the swollen lnnb, an
with deft fingers removed the wrappings
He assumed the physicians liberty, an
Lura Joyce was by no means prude eiiougl
70 affect any false modcsiy under the cir