The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-12-06
CHAPTER v.


She twisted his silk tile on her hand, re-
marking:
"Your hat, please. 1 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 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 denommated pug. showed agrees
iveness, as did the jaw and mouth. The
forehead, low and broad, was surmounted
by short, crisp, defiant red curls that
danced and fiutsered 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 a 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 In spite of the fact that he
knew that Lura Joyce was to be his most
bitter enemy in the contest mat was to
come He threw off the MAJ .letism with
an effort and said:
$50 it was you, mischief, who stole my
hat I might have known it.'
s'Of course"
"When did you arrived"
"Just here. saw and recognized your
hat as 1 passed down the hall looking for
Grace, and so thought I'd bother you a
little" she said, solemnly.
DO you mean to say that you haven't
seen Grace yet?"
Il mean just that. You see, missed the
stage, and so had to come on horseback. !
didn't mind that, however, since l am q
regular Comanche, and can ride like IA
what is it you call 'em? I have it,
Centaur." Then she laughed merrlly, and,
stepping into the hall, closed the door be-
hind her.
Thew were both in the shadow. He
eelt wicked lust at that moment. and
ra:seI his hands as tnougs he Won.:.
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
pentF' soliloquized the girl, in low, mean
ing tone. "Wen, reckon it means war be.
tween US, Captain Starbright, and the
sooner it comes to 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,
q reminder Of the old gentleman himself
----r
Captain Starbright flung himself into the
capacious chair and with knitted brows
thought over the situation.
/ must consult Mother CABRERA" he
muttered. ''She will be able to help me in
this emergency"
about in his chair sharply to meet the smil-
ing gaze of Lura.
"You must be weary after your days
vigils, Mr.. Starbright. I am requested by
Grace to ask you to come in out of the
damp. She is indeed most solicitous after
your health"
He realized that a hidden sarcasm lurked
beneath her words, and he felt angry.
'You have met Grace, theng' he Ques-
toned, indifferently.
eyes. We are already friends. Feeling
somewhat indisposed she requested me to
call you and
"Sit down there, Lura Joyce" he inter-
rupted, shortly. 81 wish word with you"
He pointed to the vacant chair near. She
it without a word, and cast de-
mure glance at him from under her sandy
brows.
"Why have you come to Lone Hollow2"
he demanded, bluntly.
''This is to be my home hereafter" was
her reply.
"Your homer"
He seemed angered at the announcement.
eyes, Captain Starbright, my home," she
repeated, grimly. II 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 I can see no
harm in this"
"No," with frown.
"Now permit me to ask you one"
She lifted her head, and her short red
curls danced defantly. He made no re-
mark and she proceeded.
snow, sir, why is it that you are herea
Answer me that, please"
II am simply guest"
Simply guest! Do you expect me to be-
lieve that, Clinton Starbrighta"
~ care not what you believe"
/" I suppose not. You may, however, be-
fore this war dance ends" fired the girl,
with an emphasis quite unnecessary, he
thought. He remained cool under her
whitening gaze. This was not the first
time the two had crossed swords. Once,
not 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 Spectator. Then Captain Star
bright lost all interest in the girl, and had
had the i'll grace to make sport of her at his
club. Lura Joyce had come into possession
IF the facts, and from being friendly she
came to be the Captains most relentless
enemy. He had more than once felt what
it was to have this girls hate, and he real
lied that it was no small affair.
Now she had followed him to Lone Hol-
low, and of course would use her influence
to cheat him out of the million that would
fall to the fortunate one who married
Grace Penroy. It was this fact that gave
the scheming man such uneasiness and vex-
alton.
"Miss Joyce, of what use is it to put your
self forever in my path o. he finally de-
handed. ''If you would only show a proper
regard for my feelings, I would be willing
to cry quits and use you well in the future.
There isn't the least sense in our being
enemies"
- am your enemy because know you,
Clinton Starbright," she said, grimly. 81
know more than you imagine Of the part
you had in tragedy Of a year ago. I am
here, for one thing, to watch you and see that