Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1889-06-27

hunter seemed to realize for the first time
that something was wrong inside the sick
chamber. He thrust a small reed that he
picked from the floor into the keyhole.
He then made n discovery.
The hole had been stoutly plugged!
Something surely was wrong. He graspeo
the knob and shook tie door.
No answer from within.
A chill shot to the heart of Fingal. He
called the name of Lucy and of Grace, but
received no answer. A terrible fear OPP
pressed the young hunters heart as he
| turned from the door and hurried to the
stairs. He sped down these, three steps at
a time, and came near landing in the arms
of the coiored maid
"Lucy, you heres' demanded Fingal,
hoarsely. '.Who is with Grace!"
"Miss Lura, 'spect.'
az do not believe it."
"But left her dar-"
"Something is wrong" interrupted Fin
| gal, selling and shaking the maid furiously.
| You haven't been faithful, girl. The door
| to Grace's room is locked. Have You the
| key!"
"Deed, marse. hasn't"
| Fingal stood irresolute for one moment.
| then sprang to the outer door, opened 1t
and passed out into the night. He hast
ened to the side of the building, to spot
| window, the window of Grace Penroy's
room.
For an instant the young man stood
| irresolute; then, seeming to remember
| something, he sped to the rear of the old
| house and in less than minute returned
bearing in his hands a ladder. 1t was but
short work to place this up against the
| side of the house.
1t Just reached the window-sill.
A Lotto ,n hunt TOW. yrr1c
mounting swiftly upward. He soon gained
| the top and although the curtains were
drawn he found a crevice through which
| he could peer into the room.
What he saw caused him to start and
| nearly fall from the ladder. His hands
| clinched the stone sill until the blood
| seemed ready to burst from beneath the
nails.
In the center of the room stood Captain
Starbright, with a look on his face that
| was actually terrifying. 1t was only with
] the utmost effort that Fingal held himself
| from falling.
The Captains hat lay on the floor. His
coat was off, his arms bare to the elbows,
| and he was evidently meditatng some
| terrible deed. Fingal saw him move toward
| the bed, gaze for moment at the placid
| face of the apparently sleeping girl, then
| bend forward with the look of q fiend, and
|
| unSuspecting victim.
'sGreat heavenI he would strangle hern'
gasped Fingal, hoarsely, almost losing his
| hold in the intensity of his horror. With a
mighty effort he steadied himself, seized
! the sash, lifted it swiftly and plunged head
! long into the room.
The noise and the unexpected appearance
| of the hunter startled the would-be assas-
| sin from his work, and he at once turned
n m ~ 10 mo- 40 Cr1n
an instant in evident alarm, then, with an
| mprecation, sprang at the youth as he came
| to his feet.
"Murderer!" cried Fingal.
'.Ha! the Internal hunter sneak. I'll
| throttle you for thisr'' and Captain Star
| bright, evidently completely mastered by
| rage and fear. sprang with the fury of
mailman at the throat of his unwelcome
| visitor.
Together the two went to the floor in
| struggle for the mastery. At the same
| time wild scream filled the room. Grace,
Weakened by the combat, was terribly
| frightened, and it was her voice that flied
| the old house with its piercing notes OF
| alarm.
Fingal struggled desperately. but seemed
| to be no match for the Infatuated Captain.
"rll throttle YOUR Kissed Starbrlght
| "You have meddled with me and my affairs
| for the last time"
At this. moment the long black hair or
Fingal's head came into the clutches Of
Starbright, another moment and his locks
were free from the head of his Antagonist
With a great cry Captain Starbright came
to his feet, quickly followed by the hunter
A hand tried the door, and voice without
| demanded admittance. Unhecding this the
Captain stood staring at F.ngal His
astoundment seemed too full for words
| And no wonder
| Before him stood, in the person Of Fingal.
another person entirely. There was no mis-
| taking that face, the pug nose, with mus
tache brushed aside, that dancing, red
foretop.
| "Lura Joyce, as / livel" exclaimed the
astounded Captain.
The girl regarded him with folded arms
| breathing short her eyes flashing, her
| white teeth cleaning. She felt herself
| mistress of the situation. Her hand shot
forward suddenly, bright object gleam
ing at the end.
"Your race is run, Captain Starbright,''
she uttered lowly yet tiercely. "Stand
aside, 1 wish to open the door"
| He seemed to have no desire to thwart
her wishes while cooked revolver was
pointed toward his breast, and so he obeyed
without q word. He glanced at the bed to
| note the fact that Grace had tainted.
With some difficulty Lura turned the key
and admitted DR.. Arthur Cotton.
| .Alone?'' uttered Lura.
| 'Wait"
This was all. The doctor glanced at Cap
tain Starbright, then at the girl. He
seemed astonished to find her in male attire,
and Lura fancied she saw a look Of semi
disgust on his grave face.
Il can explain, Arthur"
1T doesn't NATTER he uttered, shortly.
| My business is with Clinton Starbright.
/ suppose you recognize me, Captain?"
Starbright had recovered his composure,
and stood with folded arms regarding the
| doctor from under frowning brows.
| Il suppose do. You are the gentleman
who pretends to a knowledge of medicine
| DR.. Cotton"
| "The same-''
But let me tell you," grated the Captain,
| with angry vehemence, Il have permitted
| your interference here to the cost of q life.
| Look y0nder at your work You shall suffer
| for this-thls murde~."
| He pointed to the bed.
| Quickly DR.. Cotton stepped to the side of
| Grace and bent over the wasted form. A
| moment thus, then he faced the inmates of
the room once more. ssShe has tainted. 1t
is better so for the present. Should shedi
| You will have another murder to answer
for know that you have been systematic
| ally poisoning this girl
THAT is false,''
Don't interrupt me- said the doctor,
with strange calmness. no trace of emotion
| on his grave face. Il made discovery not