The Red Cloud chief., 1889-03-01

s~ojourn at LOne Holow." demanded the
young man, in tone hat was dispensing
70 Grace. Aswift bit Of rcd shooting into
her cheek told how zee wls moved.
He may have 0thee reasons"
..You know he ~, Grace Pearoy," cried
the man, IN ve1oe harsh with aroused feel
ing. ~ have heard Ill about II, that il -
settled that you and the Captain are to
marry. The story 10 in everybody's mouth.
I demand TO know what foundation there u
in such stories"
"None ~whatever."
Grace Pesroy came to her feet and faced
her over, with Aushed checks and flashing
oyes. He ssw how che VA moved. and the
demon jeaieusy had fun possession Of him
u that moment binding him 70 reason ako
~0r.ce Penvoy. Z do not bslieve you" b
uttered in the masterful rage and grief that
whelmed him 1t that moment. II have re-
ports that I can rely on that prove all md
more than the gossips tell. did not think
you would 30 abuse the trust OF a. honest
heart But It u gold! gold! nothing but
gold A female heart 10 tuned 70 no other
key"
He wa interrupted in his impsssioned
outbreak by Q gesture from Grace, whose
had lost their color now, and were
pelIid with the hurt his cruel words bad
given her heart
1t il wonderful, sir. how much you
know Of womsn's nature" she said, IN .
low voice, husky and tremuious with feel
ing. "You distrust me, Austin Went
word, and, knowing this, It would brinG
only misery 70 link my fate with yours: l
accept what you evidently wish, reedom
from u engagement"
Then she tore . PLAIN gold circlet from
her finger q held it toward him
"Grsce, do you mean thisF
He uttered the words in . sort OF astound-
ment. Evidently he had not intended hat
their quarrel should lead 70 such . length
"Distrust would kill me. lmean 1t. sir.
After to-day you need no come again
He accepted the ring Ind WA silent She
turned, forgetting her book that lay on the
ground, and wa Fastening away when his
voice held her steps.
Miss Penroy, you hsve forgotten some
thing"
When she faced him again he was holding
the book toward her. He then advanced
and placed It in her hand.
"fhxnks, 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 . distance for
some time. the Captain knew not how mop
perfume was his coming. wcntword wa
rot in Q mood for sensible, gu ct converse,
and the sight Of Captain 6tarbright, whom
h. viewed as his successful rival, reused all
the evil in the young fellows nature. What
occurred would not have happened had my
hero been OF that sanity pattern made TO
order by some OF the novel writers OF the
day.
Austin Wentword was human and per-
haps had his full share OF faults; he GER
tainly WAS not y saint, and, 1t the present
time. his passions were reused . Q high
pitch.
"Ah, whom nave we heres" sncered Cap
tain Starbright, in . lofty anc insoient way
that was not calculated to soOthe the wound
ed feelings Of the StOnefield mechanic.
Austin grasped the Captains collar and
said, fiercely:
"A mau who can f1og . score Of such
p~usillanimous sneahs rs you are. You call
your,elf . Captain, Captain Of what ]
should ike To knowl II you were ever in
the army, It must have been Is = private in
the rear rank OF the home guard or broom
brigade.
"Unhand me-" ordered the Captain, al
lowing his hand TO seek his hip beneath the
skirts of his coat. Here he usually carried
Q weapon ready for use In case OF danger.
"Not until l make you confess that you
arc . coward and never was an the army"
II ehall hurt you, young man, unles you
take your dirty paw % my collar" threat
med Captain Stsrbright, now white with
rage.
That is how I will unhand you," cried
the angry mechanic, At the same time deal
ing M Captain Q sharp blow on the cheek
with the flst Of his hand. "Go tell Miss
Penroy that l eend her = cows-dly cur for .
helpmect. Maybe she'll salve your hurts
with her tears"
At thu moment . bright object cleaned
in the fsce Of Austia weatword. Then
came = Fash and sharp report. A deadly
bullet grazed the cheek Of the mechanic.
On the instant the iva men closed 10 q
desperate struggle for the 1astasy. 1t was q
struggle that might end only - tho death
OF one Of he twain. It was lucky for
troubled Grace Penroy that she did not see
the conflict.
Wentword seised the Captains wrist snd
attempted - Wrest tho revolver from hh
grasp. Feeling that to lose the weapon
meant doom to himself, Captain Starbrighi
chung to il with the tenacity OF desperation.
And thus the two men went 70 the
ground.
Over and over they rolled in the grasa
Captain Stsrbright felt his eripon his revolv.
er weakening. II waa torn from his grasp,
and then . terrible weakness swept his
being.
Mercy" he gasped, - be felt the knce
Of his antagonist against his breast and saw
the cooked and cleaning weapon in the
hand Of nm 0oddened rival.
mercy 70 such - you-aerer"
Then Austin wcntword thrust his weap-
on in the face Of his snemy and Wa IN the
point Of pressing the trigger when . hand
touched his shoulder.
mo. Mr.. wentword; murder must NOT
stain your banda"
The words. uttered m . low tone, held the
hand Of the wcuid-be slayer. A:terward
the young mechanic could not feel too crate
full for The interruption that saved him from
the brand OF Cain.
The young mechanic came 70 his feet "a
lind himself confronted BY . slender youth
who held . rife across the hollow Of his
arm. The reader has me, this character
before-LOuis Fiugal
WHO arc yous Why do you interferer'
demanded wentword. in IN angry tone,
glsring menacinely ., the new conner.
"To save bloodshed and your soui from
perdition." answered the yOuth, quickly.
Captain S,arbri9h; Wa nov on his feet,
regarding the person who had saved his life
with grateful curiosity.
1t strikes me re have mel before" ut.
fered the C2pSain.