The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1889-05-01

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A sharp report followed.
/ Captain Starbright sank TO the ground,
and for some moments the avcnger bent
over his victim
''Dead !" he finally arhculated. Then,
hearing steps and voices approaching, at
tracted doubtless by the report Of the re-
yolver, the man turned and glared at Lura
Joyce, who still lay msensible on the
| ground.
"The lady is dead. ] have claim on her
"a claim that is greater than these people
with their Millions
He bent quickly, lifted the girl IN his
arms, and with defiant cry, rushed away
with Lura into the shadows of the hollow
Immediately after two men came to the
gate with a lantern. One was Sam, the
black stable boy, and tho other the garden
er, Oscar Pagan.
"Hellol what's this ?" cried the gar
dener, us he flung the rays Of his lantern
over the PROSTATE man in the road.
"It's the Cap'n, marse Oscar"
"Captain Starbright, for TRUTH" ex-
claimed Pagan. "Wonder what's come over
him ~
"Some uns shot tho marse.n
Just then, however, the Captain moved
and sat up 1t proved that he had not been
touched by the bullet, but had tainted from
the eastoundment caused ut seeing and recog-
nizing his assailant
"No harm DONE" said Captain Starbright,
"only was assaulted by tramps. Keep q
sharp lookout, Pagan. Ill make a search
for the scoundrels IN the morning
Then Captain Starbright hastened to the
house and was not long in gaining the pres
ence of Mrs Penroy.
The Captain was moro deeply troubled To-
night than no had been In years A ter
rible danger menaced, and before his men
tai vision dangled a hangman's rope. He
was in tremor Of excitement, and his face
was very pale when he entered tho pres
ence of the widow Penroy.
"What is the troublel You are as pale as
a ghost, Captain"
"Mrs. Penroy, you are playing false with
me-" cried the Captain, in a sharp tone,
that quivered with anger.
~ do not understand you, sir"
"An attempt has just been made upon
my life, and believe you are at the bottom
Of it," he declared, iiercely
"You surprise me-"
The widow was calm as an icicle, and this
calmness only served to cnrage him the
more.
He paced the floor and cursed in way
that was terrible to hear.
captain Starbright, will not have this
IN my house, said Mrs. Penroy, with an
unusual degree Of emphasis. "Your storm
ing will do no good What you mean by as
serting that on attempt has been made
against your life ] DO not know, but one
thing do know, and that is that have de-
cided TO assert my authority. l know well
enough that l am the only rightful heir TO
my fathers property, and l shall at once as
sert my claim
Here was rebellion indeed.
The Captain was quite astounded. since
heretofore the widow had been a meek pup
pet in his hands.
"Your claim, madamln affecting smile.
1.-THE win OF Morgan vandible left all his
property TO Grace"
II have seen no will"
at Is in the hands OF the proper person
and will be produced In good time"
"That is what you say" retorted the
widow, with a show Of unusual spirit,
"but will not accept your assertion. ] be-
lieve there was no will, and that am the
proper one 10 take charge OF Lone Hollow
and the other property. shall visit Stone
field tomorrow and lay the case before q
lawyer. will no longer be duped by you
and your minions, Captain Starbright.
fell in with your plans on former occasion
because thought my father meant 10 dis
inherit me, and that the course prescribed
by you was the only one whereby / could
retain home. One word from me at that
| time would have caused father 10 viii
! every thing away from his relatives. Since
am convinced that he made no will am
determined 10 assert my rights, and now
inform you, Captain Starbnght, that your
services are no longcr required at Lone
Hollow Further, ! refuse 10 consent 10
your marriage with my daughter
"Indeedm
The madam took pinch OF snuff from q
gold-covered box at her side, and regarded
her visitor with the coolest disdain. AT
once the Captain thought Of his encounter
In the road, aud jumped 10 a sudden conclu.
sion with regard TO Mrs. Penroy's sudden
change OF front II.
| MauhU, you VIII rue Jnls-
"No threats, Captain. know what am
about"
"Isupposc so" angrily. Understand
who has put you up TO defying me-"
81 have consulted only my own wishes
al do not believe H."
"Have care, or your insolence may be re
sented."
"The villain / encountered In the road
just now has been here and set you In open
rebellion against me, and against your
daughter. You have doubtless agreed te
divide the spois with him."
The surprised look on her face was evi
dence that Mrs. Penroy did not fully com
preheud the mans meaning. He, however,
less shrewd than usual, so blinded by indlg
nation was he, failed TO comprehend, and
proceeded, with fierce wrath:
at is Karl vandible the runaway yaga
bond and social outcast, who has come here
and set you up 10 defy the expressed
wishes Of your father. But lot me tell you
that your scheme will fail II shall be my
work 10 expose his villainy and yours, and
10 secure TO that kind old mans grand
daughter the property that he In his dying
moments said she should have.n
For full minute Mrs. Penroy could moi
speak from astonishment
"Karl Vandble is dead. You told me &c
yourself"
"So / thought, but he has returned, and
tonight made an attempt 10 murder me,
believe, at your suggestion
"Arc you mad, Captainp
"very near It, ! believe, on account o.
your ingratitude, after have done so much
for you"