Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-04-11
CHAPTER XVII.
FRIENDS AT WAR

In vain Lura Joyce tried to cry out. The
terrible fingers about her throat shut OF all
articulation.
eyes, you shall die - Kissed the voice OF
Clinton Starbrigf1t, as he crushed her to the
ground, and chung to her throat with the
fury Of q mailman.
He did not know how she came to escape
from the doom of the gulch, he only knew
that she was alive and ready to do him the
utmost harm. He saw her enter the house,
he guessed the truth, although he had not
seen her face, and had lain in wait until she
came out.
He had come too near the goal of his am
bilious desires to falter at trifles, or at the
sacrifice of human lives. There was no
mercy in his heart as he pressed the slen-
der girl under his hands to the earth
Poor Lurai
She grew faint, and myriads Of strange
lights fitted before her vision. Was this
death? Would no one come to the rescue?
These thoughts fitted through the be-
numbed brain of the dying girl, and then
the darkness of insensibility crept over all.
'Scoundrel, I have you at lastp'
A hand clutched the arm Of the wicked
assassin, and the next instant he was hurled
rudely from his victim.
Captain Starbright uttered low. alarmed
cry. 1t was no ordinary affair to be caught
in such apositlon, and he realized his danger
at once.
Drawing his hat low, he attempted to
escape, but a stern voice held his steps, and
sent chill Of alarm to his craven heart
run, or offer to, and frep'
Then the Captain saw that he was COW
cred by a cleaning revolver. His own
hand fell to his hip. To his chagrin, how
ever, he discovered that he was unarmed.
81 know you, Clint Starbright," Kissed
the stranger. 1.-THE gold hills of California
have waited for your return in vain. There's
halter there which Judge Lynch has
knotted for the murderer. Your mask de-
ceived no one, and even the wide expanse of
q continent between you and your crime
will not save you. Murderi That seems
to be your calling, and it is one betting
your character"
scene, and the strangers face was fully re-
vealed.
Captain Starbright interrupted him with
great cry.
stMy God It Is Kart Vandtblsp
''Aye! and the avenger Of the wronged.
I've trs.iled you to your lair, imposter,
thief, assassini Now die, coward that you
arep'
A sharp report followed.
Captain Starbright sank to the ground,
and for some moments the avenger bent
over his victim.
''Dead - he finally articulated. Then,
hearing steps and voices approaching, at
tracted doubtless by the report of the re-
volver, the man turned and glared at Lura
Joyce, who still lay insensible on the
ground.
1.-THE lady is dead. have claim on her
"a claim that IS greater than these people
with their Millions
He bent quickly, lifted the girl IN his
arms, and with defiant cry, rushed away
with Lura into the shadows of the hollow.
Immediately after two men came to the
gate with q lantern. One was Sam, the
black stable boy, and the other the garden
er, Oscar Pagan.
"Hello! what's this % cried the gar
dener, as he flung the rays Of his lantern
over the PROSTATE man in the road.
Its the Cap'n, marse Oscar"
Captain Starbright, for TRUTH" ex-
claimed Pagan. "Wonder what's come over
hin!''
Some uns shot the marse."
just then, however, the Captain moved
and sat up. 1t proved that he had not been
touched by the bullet, but had tainted from
the astoundment caused at seeing and recog-
nizing his assallant
"No harm DONE" said Captain starbright.
"only was assaulted by tramps. Keep
sharp lookout, Pagan. IN make a search
for the scoundrels IN the morning"
Then Captain Starbright FASTENED to the
house and was not long in gaining the pres
ence of Mrs. Penroy.
The Captain was more deeply troubled to-
night than he had been in years. A ter
rible danger menaced, and before his men,
tai vision dangled hangman's rope. He
was in tremor Of excitement, and his face
was very pale when he entered the pres
ence OF the widow Penroy.
what is the troubled You are as pale as
ghost, Captain"
Mrs. Penroy. you are playing false with
me-, cried the Captain, in sharp tone,
that quivered with anger.
do not understand you, sir.''
An attempt has just been made upon
my life, and believe you are at the bottom
OF IT, he declared, fiercely.
"Eo GU surprise me'
The widow was calm as an icicle, and this
calmness only served to enrage him the
more.
He paced the floor and cursed in a way
that was terrible to hear
Captain Starbright, win not have this
IN my house," said Mrs. Penroy, with an
unusual degree of emphasis. ssYour storm
ing will do no good. What you mean by as
sorting that an attempt has been made
against your life I do not know, but one
thing do know, and that is that have de-
cided to assert my authority. know well