Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1889-03-07
Captain starbright.

order Dy some OF the novel WRITER'S OF the
day.
Austin Wentword was human, and per-
haps had his full share of faults; he GER
tainly was not saint, and, at the present
time, his passions were reused to high
pitch
sab, whom have we herein sneered Cap
tain Btarbright, in o lofty and insolent way
that was not calculated to soothe the wound.
ed feelings of the Stonefield mechanic.
Austin grasped the Captains collar and
said, fiercely:
"A man who can fog score Of such
pusillanimous sneaks as you are. You call
yourself a Captain, Captain of what /
should like to knows If you were ever in
the army, it must have been as private in
the rear rank Of the home guard or broom
brigade.
"Unhand mer' ordered the Captain, al
lowing his hand to seek his hlp beneath the
skirts of his coat. Here he usually carried
weapon ready for use in case of danger.
"Not until make you confess that you
are coward and never was in the army"
II shall hurt you, young man, unless you
take your dirty paw of my collar threat
ened Captain Starbright, now white with
rage.
"That is how / viii unhand you," cried
the angry mechanic, at the same time deal
ing the Captain sharp blow on the cheek
with the fiat of his hand. $50 tell Miss
Penroy that send her ccwardly cur for a
helpmeet. Maybe she'll salve your hurts
with her tears
At this moment bright object CLEANED
in the face of Austin Wentword Then
came a fash and sharp report. A deadly
bullet grazed the check of the mechanic.
On the instant the two men closed in q
desperate struggle for the mastery. twas a
struggle that might end only in the death
of one of the twain. 1t was lucky for
troubled Grace Penroy that she did not see
the conflict.
Wentword seized the Captains wrist and
attempted to wrest the revolver from his
grasp. Feeling that to lose the weapon
meant doom to himself, Captain Starbright
chung to ii with the tenaclty Of desperation.
And thus the two men went to the
ground.
Over and over they rolled in the grass
Captain Starbright felt his gripon his revolv-
er weakening. II was torn from his grasp
and then a terrible weakness swept his
being.
"Mercyr' he gasped, as he felt the knee
of his antagonist against his breast and saw
the cooked and cleaning weapon in the
hand Of his maddened rival
"Mercy to such as you-nercrr'
Then Austin Wentword thrust his weap
on in the face of his enemy and was ON the
point Of pressing the trigger when hanc
touched his shoulder.
"No, Mr.. Wentword; murder must no
stain your hands.n
The words, uttered in low tone, held tbs
hand Of the would-be slayer AfterwarC
the young mechanic could not feel too CRATE
full for the interruption that saved him from
the brand OF Cain.
The young mechanic came to his feet Il
find himself confronted by slender you'll
who held rife across the hollow of his
arm. The reader has met this character
before-Louis Fingal.
"Who are yous Why do you interferel'
demanded WentwOrd, in an angry tone
glaring menacingly at the new conner.
"Ts save bloodshed and your soul from
perdition," answered the youth, quickly.
Captain Starbright was now on his feet
regarding the person who had saved his life
with grateful curiosity.
at strikes me we have met before,r ut
tered the Captain.
"Once, believe"
~ can not, however, call to mind the
time"
"Nol A few days since; just at the foot Of
! one Hollow''
The memory Of the time and the note Of
warning flashed swiftly into the brain OF
Captain Starbright He was naturally puz
zled. Before he could question the young
hunter further Austin Wentword raised
the captured revolver, fired it in the air till
every chamber was empty, then flung the
weapon at the feet of his rival
"There is your revolver, Mr.. Starbright, !"
growled the young mechanic. al will meet
you at another time when no friend is near
to take your part"
Then Wentword turned and hurried swift
ly away.
81 will meet you, hotspur,n sneered the
Captain, angrily. He snatched his revolver
from the ground and moved as if to follow
his enemy. The hand of Fingal detained
him, however.
This is Madness" declared the young
hunter. "To quarrel thus on account Of q
girl Must the softer sex always bring
woel l gave you credit for better sense,
Captain Starbright."
"But thatyoung mudsill assaulted me like
o coward
" he made the first assaultln
"He did.n
lover Miss Penroy2''
"He has pretended to have some CLAIM, on
her.
"And you make the same pretention, 2
Fingal interrupted, with peculiar twinkle
of the eye.
at seems to be foolish quarrel at best.
You will do we'll to take my advice and give
up thoughts of winning the girl''
"And leave her to that mudsill--neverl''
cried the Captain, still hot and foolish from
his recent encounter. II have sworn to
make Grace Penroy my wife, and no greasy
mechanic shall stand in the way"
Perhaps not, but there may be a gentle
man who will win the prize in spite Of you
BOTH
show is thatp'
al believe that Miss Penroy has become
thoroughly Disguised with both you and
Austin Wentword, in which case l am just
conceited enough to imagine that I stand
the best show and young Fingal smote
his breast with his clenched hand, and
Strengthened his form until he looked the
picture Of young Prince Of the blood
Captain Starbright regarded the youth in
astonishment He seemed 10 realize for
the first time that Louis Fingal was dan
gerously handsome.
I'm faith, youngster, should hate to be-
lieve that one so tender had entered the
lists against me,n retorted the Captain,
fore g laugh.
''You may find me tougher than you
imagine" declared Fingal, solemnly.
~ gu handed me note a few days since
Oh the occasion Of our first meeting. Was
it OF your compositioni'
The Captain regarded Fingal keenly as he
put the question. His gaze had not the eff
fect intended The young hunter was not
the least discon certed.
II shall make no denials, august Captain. -
answered Fingal stroking his mustache
with grave look.
81 am then to understand that you mean
to interfere with my plansi'
understand any thing you please, my
dear Captain
"Confound your muttered Starbright,
angered at the cool impudence of the young
hunter II warn you to keep away from
this vicinity and leave me to myself, or you
may rue your impertinence in the time to
come. You underestimate
Certainly
''And you will heed the warningFi
Certainly"
II am glad to find you sensible"
always that, Captain Starbright,r as
sured the young hunter. ssFair means you
will be permitted to use in a suit for Miss
Penroy's hand, but when you step beyond
that look to yourself. The eagle will see that
the hawk harms not the pretty dove.n
Then, bowling low, Fingal turned and
darted away with the fieetness of a deer