The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1889-02-28
CHAPTER V.

Lura Joycel
CHAPTER ".
MISS JoYcE's TEMPER.
" Miss Joyce" exclaimed the Captain, re
coiling as though he had stepped on mo-
iron.
She twisted his silk tile on her hand, re
marking;
/" Your hat, please. l did not mean e
steal it."
He seized 1t and drew it low over his
brows. As she stood in the doorway, the
light from a window near revealed her
face and form quite distinctly Ono glance
into the short, round face was sufficient tC
proclaim her not beauty
There was square set TO the lower Jaw
not compatible with feminine beauty. Her
complexion would have been exquisite but
for freckles The square nose, rather after
the style denominated pug, showed agrees
iveness, as did the jaw and mouth. The
forehead, low and broad, was surmounted
by short crisp, defiant red curls that
danced and fiut:ered with every turn OF her
head. Her form was slender TO attenua.
ton, and withal Lura Joyce was not calcu
lated Mt first sight to win the admiring gaze
of the human male biped.
There was something in her face and
movements, however, that demanded sec
ond look, and when this was given, third
would follow, and thena more pleasing as
pect appeared, ending at last in fascination,
Captain Starbright had felt this last SEN
sation more than once, and it was stealing
over him now IN spite of the fact that he
knew that Lura Joyce was TO be his most
bitter enemy in the contest that was TO
come. He threw of the magnetism with
an effort and said;
$50 it was you, mischief, who stole my
hat l might have known it."
.Of course
when did you arrive"
Just here l saw and recognized your
hat as / passed down the hall looking for
Grace, and so / thought I'd bother you
little" she said, solemnly.
"Do you mean TO say that You haven't
seen Grace yeti"
~ mean Just that You see, missed the
stage, and so had to come on horseback /
didn't mind that, however, since ! am a
regular Comanche, and can ride like a-a-
what is it you call 'eml / have it, a
Centaur." Then she laughed mcrrily, and,
stepping into the hall, closed the door be-
hind her.
They were both in the shadow He
felt wicked just at that moment, and
raised his hands as though he would
strangle the girl. He seemed TO realize that
this was not the time or place for such work
and restrained himself, and muttered some
thing commonplace.
Then he opened the outer door and passed
out.
$50 you are here at Lone Hollow, SER
pentr' seliloquized the girl, in low, mean
ing tone. "Well, reckon it means war be-
tween us, Captain Starbright, and the
sooner it comes TO focus the better for all
concerned
1t was almost night when Captain Star
bright stepped upon the long porch. He
glanced up and down keenly, but saw no
one. Old Mr.. Vandible had retired TO his
room, but his great armchair stood there,
q reminder of the old gentleman himself
Captain Starbright flung himself into the
capacious chair and with knitted brows
thought over the situation.
II must consult Mother CABRERA" he
muttered. "She will be able TO help me in
this emergency
A light step startled HIM He wheeled
about in his chair sharply TO meet the smil-
ing gaze Of Lura
"You must be weary after your days
vigils, Mr.. Starbright am requested by
Grace to ask you to come in out of the
damp. She is indeed most solicitous after
your health
He realized that hidden sarcasm lurked
beneath her words, and he felt angry.
"You have met Grace, thenl" he ques.
toned, indifferently,
Eyes. We are already friends. Feeling
somewhat indisposed she requcrted me to
call you and"
''Sit down there, Lura Joyce" he inter-
rupted, shortly. II wish word with YOU
He pointed to the vacant chair near. She
accepted it without word, and cast de
mure glance at him from under her sandy
brows.
"Why have you come to Lone Hollowi"
he demanded, bluntly.
This is to be my home hereafter" was
her reply.
"Your homer
He seemed angered at the announcement
"Yes, Captain Starbright, my home,r she
repeated, grimly. II am Grace's cousin
and she has kindly invited me TO live under
the same roof with her With million
more or less at her command / can soc no
harm in this"
"No," with frown.
snow permit me to ask you one"
She lifted her head and her short red
curls danced defiantly He made no re
mark and she proceeded.
!" Now, sir, why is it that you are herci
Answer me that, please"
Z" l am simply guest.n
"Simply guest! Do you expect me to be
Lieve that, Clinton Starbright."
81 care not what ,rou belicvo.n
"Isuppose not. You may, however, be
fore this war dance ends,' fired the girl,
with an emphasis quite unnecessary, he
thought He remained cool under her
whitening gaze. This was not tho first
time the two had crossed swords. Once,
not year before, he had actually paid
court to the fiery Miss Joyce
At the time he was led TO believe that
she was TO inherit large fortune. A col
lapse in her fathers fortune came sud
denly, and Immediately after, the death OF |
the old Spectator. Then Captain Star
bright lost all interest in the girl, and had |
had the i'll grace TO make sport of her at his
club. Laura Joyce had come into possession
81 tho facts, and from being friendly she |
same TO be the Captains most relentless
enemy. lie had more than once felt what
II was 10 have this girls hate, aud he real
zed that a. was no small nffair