Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-05-02

seemed to realize her duty and ct ones
assumed place near the wounded girl
Grace was still unconscious, but breathed,
and when the doctor rose from q brief e1-
animation and turned to the widow, there
was look on his face that brought q throh
OF hope to the hearts Of all-no, not all. foE
there was one present who was not pleased
at the good doctors announcement
"a bad wound, but If the Inflammation can
be kept down, the girl viii recover. A few
days will decide. The skull has been slight
ly fractured, I think"
For the first time since the crack of the
pistol had rung in his ear Austin Went
word breathed easy. HIS pallid counte-
nance lit up with glad light, while from
his heart fell q silent benediction.
DR.. Faxon left medicine, washes for the
wound and brief yet comprehensive in
structions, and then took his departure.
He had scarcely gone when another
vehicle drew up at Lone Hollow.
Austin Wentword stood over the wounded
girl in a solemn, thoughtful attitude. He
heard no sound OF steps, although two men
had crossed the threshold and stood at his
elbow.
A hand touched his arm.
He turned then to confront 4 bluh-look-
snapped pair Of handouts over the wrists
of the astounded Austin Wentword.
"What does this meant" demanded the
mechanic, reelinR backward
'ett means that you are my prisoner, Aus
tin Wentworth" returned the man, in a
stern voice. 81 have q warrant for your ar
rest.''
word recognized as the county sheriff, pro
duced a paper and began reading. So dazed
was he that the prisoner only caught q word
here and there, enough to inform him that
he had been accused of an assault on one
Grace Penroy with intent to commit muir
der.
The idea seemed ridiculous as well as
horrible to Wentword.
He was not permitted to say q word in
his own defense, but was hurried from the
room and the house, and was soon being
whirled over tho road to Stonefield Jail It
was Q sad termination to the lovers meet
ing Of the evening.
And now two watchers were left beside
the wounded and insensible Grace-her
mother and Captain Starbright. For some
minutes after the departure Of Wentword
in the hands Of the sheriff not word broke
the solemn stiffness Of the room. The Cap
tain was the first to speak.
"You see now what comes Of permitting
Grace to receive the attentions of Q low me-
chanic."
Mrs. Penroy lifted her faded eyes and re-
garded the speaker hxedly.
80 you imagine it is to him my poor
Grace owes this hurt?'
Certainly. have proof that will hang
lovers quarrel again, and the use OF pistol
in the hands Of a low villain mad with jeal-
ousy."
TT is terriblep'
The tremor in the vvoman's voice went far
to prove that, although seemingly heartless
at times, yet Martha Penroy had an affection
for her daughter that was a credit to her
motherhood.
Terrible, indeed - returned the Captain.
" 1 hope you see the folly Of countenancing
a low fellow like Wentword now. L"
Captain Starbright, please don't, "
moaned the wretched woman, pleading.y.
She was pale and trembling, seeming alb
solutely i'll, and even the Captain had not
the heart to proceed further then. He
turned on his heel and walked from the
room.
He passed along the hall and entered one
OF the large front rooms in which a light was
burning. The room seemed to be empty,
and Captain Starbright threw himself into
a large armchair beside the comfortable
and clasped his hands, with elbows on the
table before him.
''If she would only die" he muttered, +"
should feel better, for know that she will
never consent to be my wife. Should she
die he would hang. and then -"
A touch on his arm startled him.
He sprang up, white and trembling, with
an indefinable fear shooting to his heart
AS he turned about he uttered an exclama-
ton.
Before him stood his old enemy, Lura
Joycel
CHAPTER XXvI.
LURA AND THE CAPTAIN.
"She will not die, Captain Starbright, but
il she should, you would be the one to hang
instead of the man taken to Jail this night
by the county sheriff"
The Cap: ain stared.
Had she then heard his muttered words!
How came she here at this hour of the nights
He had seen nothing of her since she
appeared to him in the road in front Of the
mansion weeks before, when he had at
tempted to murder her. To him she seemed
to bear a charmed life. How much did she
know Of his real character, of his hand in
the first attempt that had proven such q
disastrous failure! Had she learned aught
from the maniac whose dead body slept sc
safely beneath the surface Of the forest pooli
He could not answer these questions, but
he at once formed plan of action, resolving
lnWardIy 10 Iloe over preSen trouole -
smoothly as possible.
"You choose to make yourself disagree
able, Miss Joyce" he said, with smile,
that caused the wings of his tawny mus
tache to lift and then droop suddenly. ~
am nevertheless glad to meet you"
He held out his hand.
Wonderful as it may seem, she accepted
the prefer of friendship, and returned his
smile with one of equal cunning.
Il suppose you did not expect me, Cap
tain!'
mo, but am pleased all the same. Some
one is needed at Lone Hollow who can take
complete charge of the internal affairs dur.
ing Miss Penroys illness. Her mother il
utterly incompetent"
"You think l could assume charger'
''If you will, certainly"
Thus coolly talked the two who were
deadly enemies. Lura knew that he was
aching to strangle her, even while his dark
face was wreathed in smiles. She had en-
tered the house for purpose that could ba
better carried through by assuming meek
ness she did not feel, and SO she smothered
her true feelings.
sOf course I will remain. heard that
my cousin was badly injured, and fastened
here at once. Really this is all the home
have, and I meant to come soon in any