The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1889-03-20
CHAPTER ".


Captain Starbright stood in the center OF
the room tho very picture of chagrin and
rage. His rebuff had been both unex-
pected and deeply cutting He was not in
the habit OF being thus treated by one Of
the weaker sex.
"Sol" he muttered at length, with en-
phasis. swell, l did think l had you in bet
ter subsection, Miss Grace Penroy; but it
won't require great length Of time TO
change your opinions somewhat. It's that
greasy mechanic for oLe thing; but don't
mean that he shall stand in the way long
must needs speak with Martha Penroy, l
suppose. didn't imagine it would be
necessary, but 1t seems to be highly So
after all"
Then Captain Starbright walked stalking
ly from the room. In another and larger
apartment he found tho mother OF Grace,
who received the more or less distinguished
Captain with u smile of welcome.
Mrs. Penroy was faded woman of forty
Meek as child, with but little seeming en-
ergy left over after the conclusion Of her
married life She could not even be called
an interesting widow Nevertheless Cap
tain Starbright imagined she might prove
interesting before the drama he had inau
gurated was at an end.
81 am glad TO see you, Captain; SIT down
and tell me all the news"
The faded widow pointed TO n chair which
the Captain took. He had left his hat In the
h.ll, and the upper part Of his forehead
showed extreme narrowness under his
black hair.
There was something sinister after all in
the countenance Of Clinton Starbright, that
was more noticeable on close scrutiny
~ am here TO talk business, Mrs. Penroy,n
declared the Captain, after short moment
Of silence.
ayes, sir" admitted the widow, meek!y.
ain the first place must say that con-
sider the education Of Grace sadly neglect
ed"
II am sorry, SIR"
"Are youl didn't suppose you would
lie" he asserted, sneer curling his lip ~
think you are In fault. The girl insulted
me 10 my face not ten minutes since. What
do you think OF thatr'
81 am sorry, SIR"
"And is that all you have TO offerl" he
demanded, exhibiting anger.
"What more can sayn questioned the
weak woman, helplossly.
"You might have taught her better, I
should suppose. Don't you realize that !
could blast all your hopes at one fell
swoop. may do II, too, II you don't do
better In the future. think you under.
stand me-"
"There can be no question but what
Grace will inherit her grandfather's prop
erty-"
"No doubt II her grandfather has any
thing TO give" he interrupted, with mean
ing emphasis. "You know, Mrs. Penroy,
as well as that Grace nor you would re-
main one minute under this roof II old
vandible knew the truth. AS for the In
heritance, that would go any where but TO
Grace Pcnroy"
The woman stopped hm with gesture.
"Mercy, Captain, please don't call up
any thing 80 dreadful"
"But / wish you 10 understand that IL is
not all plain sailing yet" pursued the
Captain.
"I am afraid II isn'tn
"You will find that 10 isn't" he pro-
ceeded. alt is through my coolness and
tact that you and Grace occupy this mag
nificent homen
"I admit it. Ifeel grateful for your good
Offices, Captain"
"Do YOUR still sneering. at Is won
der. Grace l find less well disposed than
formerly toward me. l have lately made
the discovery that young fellow, o low
mechanic, from Stonefeld, calls here fire.
quontly; in fact that he and Grace have
been seen riding out In company. Now
what have you TO say 10 this outrageous
state OF affairsp
"Nothing.n
"Nothingl Good Heavensl woman, do
you know what you sayi"
swell, am helpless; can not prevent
the girls having beaux." !" declared the widow
In tone of helpless imbecility
"Then know what can be done"
The Captain came 10 his feet and strobe
twice across the rich carpet In front Of the
lady, his white hands clenched, his eyes
glittering. Then he paused In front OF her
with set, wicked look on his face.
"Mrs. Penroy, know what can be done,
what lUfl be done. know where the real
heiress 10 Morgan vandibles fortune Is,
and will turn there for the profit l OK.
pected 10 reap from you and this terribly
particular daughter Of yours"
| He glared at her fnriously for moment,
then turned on his heel as II 10 depart
ssClintonp lNu hl
! She called his namo huslsily, He paused
/ and faced her with frUwn. "Are you
coming 10 your senses ut last. womanyr
"Captain Starbright, you did not mean