Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1889-05-16


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 a purpose that could be
better carried through by assuming ameek-
ness she did not feel, and so she smothered
her true feelings
''Of course | will remain. heard that
my cousin was badly injured, and fastened
here al once. Really tins is all the home
have, and | meant to come soon in any
| event. Many changes have taken place
since left here weeks ago When think
Of all that have passed through lind my
self wondering that ann yet alive
ut is wonder"
considering the hand you had in it, Cap
tain
She smiled wickedy as she regarded him,
her red foretop quivering uSpleasantly
You wrong ne, Lura, he said in a low,
subdued tone ~ was mad that night
absolutely crazed when assaulted you at
the gate. l have never been fully able TO
explain that TO myself. ! meant at the first
opportunity TO beg your pardon
Indeed And you had no hand in hurl-
ing me into the gulch thatnightsn Her eyes
fairly pierced him to the quick.
She was trcadng on dangerous ground,
but she could not resist the temptation.
Into the gulch! l do not understand"
he said, evidently perplexed. II never knew
what happened TO you that night last sum
mer, Lura meant To ask about that at the
| first Opportunity
(which, when il occurred, you attempted
TO strangle me out yonder in the darkness
Her band was raised, finger pointing
toward the road.
"Lura, let me explain"
II am listening" icily,
"You know that like most men | have a
weakness-ove of wealth. | admit that
have attempted questionable practices in
order 10 obtain it, | came here to Lone
Hollow to win it's heiress You see, am
frank with you. never meant to stain my
soul with a crime, however, for against
blood revolt as heartily as even yourself"
! He paused She made no attempt TO in
| terrupt him, aud he proceeded:
When you put in an appearance at Lone
| Hollow realized that my chance of wln-
ming the heiress was lessened | knew how
| you hated me, and felt alarmed 1 wished
| you away, anywhere but in this house"
Even under the sod, and she smiled
| grimly as she interrupted him.
! No. In that you wrong me,' he assert
/ ed, impressivey. II did nOt.plan to harm
! you, could moi do that for 10 be honest
/ with you, Lura, you are the only girl who
ever stirred the inner depths of my heart.
! If you had been the heiress instead OF
/ Grace could have wooed with tenfold more
| ire. But let that pass. l endured your
presence without attempting to abate it.
| That night, when you disappeared so mys-
| teriously, and during the days that followed
when | turned heaven and earth to find you
was really sad at heart, although elated al
the thought that you would not be likely TO
trouble me again.
II was getting on swimmingly with Grace
when, to my surprise, you suddenly re
turned. | saw you enter the house and &C
to Grace Penroy's room. then believed
/ that you had played trick on us all, on me,
for the purpose of beating me out of this
fortune on which | set such hopes. The
thought that was about TO be defeated
when the wealth was ready 70 fall into my
hands maddened me, and l lost reason aud
GOODNESS.
"ThAt was why l assaulted you sc
furiously. I repeuted it afterward, aud
have been longing to see you TO ask your
forgiveness. 1 came near being killed by q
madman myself. He carried you away, anc
i
/ you"
] Captain Starbright had resumed his seat
1 during this narration, while Lura Joyce
| leaned one hand on the table and contented
herself with listening in a meek way that
was surprising considering her fiery nature
"Do you expect me to believe all this
| Captain StarbrightH' she, said, without
lifting her eyes.
81 have spoken the truth. OF course,
have no means of compelling belief" he
said, in a subdued tone. :" | tell you honest
ly. 1 am glad that you escaped from the
clutches of the mailman
"He seemed gentle enough with me-" re-
sumed the girl "What became of the poor
fellow at lastl haven't seen him of late y
Influenced the authorities TO send the
poor fellow TO mad house"
"Did you know himi'
"No, only that he made an absurd claim
to be brother of the late Mr. Vandible."
"About the shooting tonight" SAID Lura
suddenly dropping the subjectof the mad
man, "Can you throw any light on that p
at is a sad affair."" sighed the Captain
81 would rather not talk of ttrat now"
"Why has Austin Weneword been ar
restedi'
1t was necessary. In case Grace dies
the fellow might leave the country"
"Then you suspect him of being the
assassin of theigirl he loved whOwas has be
trothed, in factl"
Her eyes were regarding him now witt
their steely glitter, that rendered him nerv.
Gus always.
"My suspicion amounts to conviction,
he said, coolly.
you saw him commit the ,actl"
alan NOT uraparad IN causfhaf fha
proper time my evidence shall be forth
coming
Indeed Is this part of your plot "a
win the Vandible iortunel"
He became uneasy under her gaze. II,
realized that she was reading him Like al
open book. He might deceive some women
but not this grand, self-reliant girl, whose
strong mind and quick wit were more than
match for him.
1T is useless 10 proiong this interview, >
he said, coming to his feet "You would
distrust one even il he.were TO swear on q
mountain Of Bibles. | am sorry, but in
time shall be able to prove to you that an
q much-abused man"
Then he strobe from the room and sought
the outer air.
"Sou' murmured Lura. ~ am once more
on deck 10 watch and counterfeit your evil
influence, Clinton Starbright. II Grace
dies, you are a doubly doomed man The
idea that Austin Wentword fired that shot
That yarn might fool the marines. but il. will
not pass current with me. All il you only
knew what 1 know, Captain, you would
tremble IN your boots. IL is Just as wei
you do not know. will now have an op
portunity to search this house for the vii
old Mr.. VandiDle made long ago. That,
believe 20 be, the only lawful document Of
the kind in existence.
81 He told me that it was somewhere with
in the walls of Lone Hollow, and mean tC
lind il and confound them all"
Then Lura went 10 the room where hei
wounded cousin lay When Mrs. Penroy
saw the girl she uttered scream and fell
fainting 10 the floor.
II will be remembered that the widow did
not know Of the continued existence OF Lurs
Joyce. She had looked upon the girl a.
dead, Grace having kept her secret accord
ing to promise, and her sudden appearance
was as startling as the appearance OF q
ghost.
Lura saw her mistake the moment she
crossed the threshold She rang for
Lucy, the colored maid, who assisted
by Miss Joyce, succeeded in conveying the
fainting woman 70 a bed in another part OF
the great house.
fro BE CONTINUED.
---o-.--
NEVER GIVE UP.
II you suffer with asthma. bronchitis
or any other disease Of the throat o
lungs. nothing can surprise you MOI,
than The rapid Improvement that viii