Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-05-09


Mles 5OxcBS Nn11oRzuxn
The weeks pessed-
Grace Improved rapidly, and was Son
able to sit mp, although the doctor advised
quiet and no attempt ct exertion. until she
was fully recovered, since . reaction might
set in.
The probate court granted . stay Of some
weeks regarding the viii 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 Of
Captain Starbrlght and his attorney.
1.-THE will II . fraud, and can be proved
so il you win wait until the young Miss
Penroy and her mother are able to APPEAR
declared Lura, and ~ once again was the
scheming Captain thwarted.
He understood to whom he owed his non
success, and the bitter feeling m his heart
for the brave young girl deepened into
absolute hatred
Miss Joyce often visited Stonefield in
the interested the young mechanic, who
lay in tho county Jail waiting the outcome
Of Grace Penrcy's injury.
1t was an outrage not to permit bail, Lura
Joyce declared, and the young man in
nocert, too The Captain and his attorney
however, managed to have the bail fixed at
such 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 q little,
but, finding that nothing conld be done to
rescue the young man from prison until
freed By due process Of law, she gave up
the case and turned her thoughts and eff
forts in another channel.
Mrs. Penroy was soon able to attend upon
the wants of her daughter, thus leaving
Lura Joyce more time to herself
81 believe Captain Starbright 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"
Certainly" assured Grace. "He and I
were standing together when the shot was
fired by some one in ambush"
"Well, you shall testify to this in good
time. I have a surprise in store for Gin
ton Starbright that will take him down a
peg when he comes to chew on it; and, mind
you, Grace, the villain shall begin the mas
tication before he is many days older"
81 am not sure but what you wrong the
Captain" said poor little Grace, with
faint, sad smile. "He has been very kind
to me during my Illness"
"Rindi All put on, my dear, every bit of
it," declared Lura, quickly.
To this the invalid made no reply.
AS she sat supported by pillows in
great armchair she presented a pretty
picture. that even her more boisterous
cousin could not fail to admire.
"You will soon be strong again, dear"
said Lura. sit seems incredible that such
an accident should come to one so good as
you are, Grace. Sometimes 1 think that it
,Uas an accident. You see, 1 am sentimental,
like other girls, once in awhile.''
Then Lura gave vent to a sharp little
laugh and sprang to her feet, gliding
swiftly from the room.
On her way to Stonefeld that very day
on the stage the horses became frightened
and ran, the stage was overturned, and
several Of the passengers injured, among
them Lura Joyce.
s'Confound the luck!' exclaimed the girl.
when she found her ankle sprained SO
severely as to prevent her bearing her
weight on it. "pll never ride in that stuffy
old coach again. This serves me right for
not going on my own conveyance-theb back
of Romeo.'
The driver secured farmers wagon, in
which he conveyed his passengers to the
city. Miss Joyce found shelter at the
house of friend, where, to her chagrln,
she was compelled to remain for several
days on account of her injuries.
While here she was visited by grave
looking gentleman Of thirty, whose sober
face and quiet manners were in direct con-
trast to the bubbling exuberance of Miss
Joyce. This gentleman was Dr. Cotton,
really the most learned and gifted physician
in the city. That he was friend of Lura
Joyce was proved from the cordial nature of
their meeting.
'How is your patient, DIR. Coltona''
This was about the first words after
good hearty hand-shake. Lura, with one
foot swathed resting on hassock, reclin-
ing calmly in huge rocker, was an inter-
esting picture. The grave, dark eyes of the
young doctor evinced their admiration by
the earnestness Of their gaze.
''My patient is fast gaming, and will soon
be sound as dollar-my old patient, but as
to my young one that remains to be seen,'
and Lura actually blushed under the affec-
tionate earnestness of his gaze.
$50 you heard of my little tumble?' she
retorted, quickly. 81 had no idea that I
should require the services Of physician"
"That remains to be seen"
BE then bent over the swollen limb, and
with deft fingers removed the wrappings.
He assumed the physicians liberty, and
Lura Joyce was by no means prude enough
to affect any false modesty under the cir
cumstances. She was anxious to be on her
feet again, and had full confidence in the
ability of DR.. Arthur Cotton, who would
have been called to visit Grace Penroy had
she the ordering Of q physician at the out
set. Fs.
After q brief examination he regarded
her gravely. and said:
81 find fracture here that will necessi-
tate the utmost quiet for at least fort
night"
"But positively can not remain idle
that length of time" declared the girl, in
quick agitation. 81 must return to Lone
Hollow by tomorrow, at furthest"
THAT would be out Of the question. You
are under my care now, Lura, and must
obey orders" 49, 81 - = -
Something like smile touched his face.
Lura realized that he was in earnest, how
ever, and she groaned lnwardly at the pros
pect- What might not happen during her
absence from Lone Hoilow3
There seemed to be no help for it, how
ever, and poor Lura resigned herself to a
fortmght's Imprisonment with the best
gr.ce possible. She had no thought Of
disputlng the wisdom of Dr. Colton's dag
nosis. To Lura his word, Of all men in the
world, was law. She regarded Arthur
Cotton as the wisest man on the globe. and