The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1889-03-27
CnAPTER VII.
DIsTURDrD HRARTg.

! DISTURBED HEARTS.
",This Captain Starbright seems TO hang
about here continually, Gracel Can you
explain III"
The speaker was bronzed-loolfing young
man Of three and twenty, with honest
brown eyes and well-ltnit Frame He was
standing under tree with his back against
the trunk, while Grace Penroy reclined on
the grass, with a book open in her lap, from
which she had lately been reading.
There was q frown on the young mans
face, as though he was deeply displeased Of
something.
captain Starbright is grandpa's guest"
explained the girl "He seems TO like the
Captain, and insists on his remaining here n
"And this is the only reason for his
sojourn at Lone Hollowin demanded the
young man, in tone that was displeasing
TO Grace. A swift bit Of red shooting into
her cheek told how see was moved.
"He may have other reasons.n
'You know he has, Grace Penroy,n cried
the man, in voice harsh with aroused feel
ing. al Ihave heard all about it, that 1t Is
marry. The story is in everybody's mouth.
! demand TO know what foundation there 10
In such Stories"
"None whatever"
Grace Penroy came TO her feet and faced
her lover, with flushed cheeks and flashing
eyes. He saw how she was moved. and the
demon jealousy had full possession Of him
at that moment binding him TO reason and
justice. nmi
"Grnce Penroy, do not believe you,n he
uttered In the masterful rage and grief that
whelmed him at that moment ~ have ro-
ports that can rely on that prove all and
more than the gossips tell did not think
you would so abuse the trust Of an honest
heart But it is gold gold nothing but
gold A female heart IA tuned TO no other
key"
He was interrupted in his impassioned
outbreak bya gesture from Grace, whose
cheeks had lost their color now, and were
pallid with the hurt his cruel words had
given her heart
at Is wonderful, sir, how much you
know OF woman's nature" she said, In q
low voice, husky and tremulous with feel
iqg. "You distrust me, Austin Went
word, and, knowing this, it would bring
only misery TO link my fate with yours. l
accept what you evidently wish, freedom
from our engagement" tI4aftI.
Then she tore PLAN gold circlet from
her finger and held IL toward him.
"Grace, do you mean thisp
He uttered the words In sort OF astound-
ment Evidently he had not intended that
their quarrel should lead 10 such O length.
"Distrust would kill me. Imean II, sir.
A NNnr sr- Aaxr .aA M oeKafn "
he accepted the ring and was silent She
turned, forgetting her book that lay on the
ground, and was fastening away when his
voice held her steps.
"Miss Penroy, you have forgotten some
thing" -U
When she faced him again be was holding
the book toward her He then advanced
and placed II in her hand.
"Thanks, Mr.. Weutword."
Then she continued her course toward the
house, not many rods distant the young
mechanic watching her retreating form
with mingled feelings Of anger and sorrow
Scarcely had she disappeared when another
stepped upon the scene In the person Of
Captain Starbright
Unaware Of the quarrel, although he had
been viewing the two from q distance for
some time, the Captain knew not how mop
perfume was his coming. Wentword was
not in mood for sensible, gu ct converse,
and the sight Of Captain Starbright, whom
he viewed as his successful rival, reused all
the evil In the young fellows nature. What
octdrred would not have happened had my
hero been Of that sanity pattern made 70
order by some OF the novel writer's Of the
day.
Austin Wentwprd was human, and per
haps had his full share Of faults; he GER
tainly was not saint and, al the present
time, his passions were reused TO o high
pitch. f+b ~
"Ah, whom have we hereln sneered Cap
tain Starbight, in q lofty and insolent way
that was notcalculated 10 soothe the wound.
cd feelings OF the btonefeld mechanic.
Austin grasped the Captains collar and
said, hercely;
"a man who can fog a score Of such
pusillanimous sneaks as you are. You call
yourself Captain, Captain Of what !
should like TO knowi II you were ever in
the army, II must have been as q private 10
the rear rank OF the home guard or broom
brigade. SIX. ttf
"Unhand mel'' ordered tho Captain, al
lowing his hand to seek his hip beneath the
skirts OF his coat Here he usually carried
weapon ready for uso in case OF danger
"Not until mako you confoss that you
arc coward and never was In the army.n !.
"Ishall hurt you, young man, unless you
take your dirty paw on my collar, y threat
ened Captain Starbright, now white with
rage. ~ Z
"7hat Is how I win unhand you cried
the angry mechanic, a. tho same time deal
ing the Captain sharp blow on the cheel
with the fiat OF his hand. "Go tell Miss
Heproy that ] send hsr . oowsrdly cur for ,