Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1889-02-21

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'sNo doubt II her grandfather has any
thing 10 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 if old
vandible knew the truth As for the in
heritance, that would go any where but to
Grace Penroyn
The woman stopped Inn with gesture.
Mercy, Captain, please don't call up
any thing so dreadful
But wish you to understand that it is
not all plain sailing YETI pursued the
Captain.
az am afraid it isn't
"You will find that it isn't he pro-
ceeded. alt is through my GOODNESS and
tact that you and Grace occupy this mag.
nificent home.n
81 admit it. Ifeel grateful for your good
Offices, Captain
DO you." still sneering. at is a won
der. Grace / find less well disposed than
formerly toward me. | have lately made
the discovery that q young fellow, low
mechanic, from Stonefield, calls here fire.
quently: in fact that he and Grace have
been seen riding out in company, Now
what have you TO say TO this outrageous
state of affalrsl'
Nothing
"Nothingl Good Heavensi woman, do
you know what you sayl"
well, am helpless; can not prevent
the girls having beaux, declared the widow
in a tone of helpless imbecility.
Then know what can be done.o
The Captain came to 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 iciu be done. know where the real
heiress to Morgan Vandible's fortune is,
and will turn there for the profit l ex-
pected to reap from you and this terribly
particular daughter of yours"
He glared at her furiously for a moment,
then turned on his heel as If to depart.
"Clinton.''
She called his name huskily. He paused
and faced her with frown. "Are you
coming to your senses at last, woman"
captain Starbright, you did not mean
what you said just nowi The heiress can
not possibly be alive
II did mean it, Mrs. Penroya he declared,
emphatically.
! "Where is shel Who is she!r
He burst into harsh, unmusical laugh.
II am not quite fool, Mrs. Penroy,', he
said, deity. 'Do you imagine that would
trust you further than l havet Not il l
know myself 1t is not too late yet for you
\ to hold all you have gained; but II must be
! through different influence than you have
lately exerted want you TO help me with
the hand Of your daughter
II have endeavored to do so, Captain
q In faint sort of way, l admit; but
different line must be pursued hereafter.
\ You must forbid the visits of Austin Went
4 word
He might not cease, even Them
"Well, will assist you a little, and be-
I tween us both think we can put a flea in
the young fellows ear that II drive him
away effectually.'
Il viii listen to your plan.''
The Captain resumed his seat.
"You have 0cccss to your daughters
roomr' he questioned, in a confidential
tone.
Certainly" she answered.
"Her letters You have seen themr'
"They are in her private drawer, which
! is always locked, / believe"
1 Nevertheless, you can get 1T them for q
gshort timer
II might
Certainly you can. / must see some
that have come from this mechanic
"There may be none"
"Don't you believe that. The stage
passes every day, and | am confident that
Grace receives letters | think we can
manage to break up this little love match,
if you will do as | wish. There is no harm
In trying at any rate
No, truly
.tYou will helm mot,
"To the best of my weak ability an
swered the widow.
.That is all ask
Once more he came to his feet and passed
to the door. He paused and again turned
back.
81 will call again tomorrow he said, re-
Stunning his seat. .By that time you may be
able to abstract letter from the desk of
Grace; it must be the last one if possible.
/ Shall need one of hers, too, or specimen
of her chirography, wish to make copy.
Seean
II think do"
Another question. What do you know
of Grace's cousin, who is to visit Lone Hol-
Iowa.
"Very little,n returned Mrs. Penroy.
"She is an orphan and is coming to make il
her home here"
"Who invited herl'
"The old gentleman"
"Your father!''
Yes. OF course 1 seconded the motion. 1t
was really Grace who instituted proceed
ings that have resulted in her coming My
father dotes on Grace, and he will do any
thing that she asks of him.
1T seems so, the old fool" retorted Mr..
Starbright, vexedly. II thought had the
old man ready to accept and further my
suit with his granddaughter, but to-day he
told me that he should not interfere with
the girl in any particular. / felt angry
enough to rap him one'
/" beg of you to be careful, Captain. All
depends on him, YOU know. He is very
changeable. Tomorrow he may be ready
TO urge Grace to an acceptance ofyour suit
| There's no telling twenty-four hours in adj
vance what father will do or say. As be
grows older he is more given to such
Freaks
cit seems So"
There was trouble deep down in the
heart of Captain Clinton Starbright that
Mrs. Penroy did not see, and it all came
from the realizing sense that Lura Joyce
was coming to Lone Hollow to live. Why
should the exquisite Captain care for the
presence of puny girl, even if he did no
like herr
There was good cause for his coming. H,
would have given his good right hand I,
keep Lura Joyce away from Lone Hollow
Such sacrifice would not avail, however
and Captain Starbright was miserable.
He remained with the widow until lat,
hour, and then left the parlor in evlden
haste.
He had mislald his hat, it seemed, an(
had trouble in finding it. He went to th'
room where he had met Grace some tim,
before. Neither the girl nor the hat ,wer
there
II left il on tho rack in the hall, an
surc,n he muttered. "Some imp of mis-
chief has removed it 10 bother and We.
me-
And this was true.
At the end of the hall, near the from
door, door opened into a small reception
room on the right.
Captain Starbright stood here now, Il
the shadows, debating what course TO pur
sue, vexed and angry, when the side doc
opened suddenly and a low voice said:
captain Starbright, here is your hal
1t is pity you have been detained!'
He turned, thrilled by the voice, an
looked into the laughing eyes Of his enemy
Lura Joycel
| no BE CONTINUED.