Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1889-05-23
CHAPTER XVII.
MISS JOYCE ) MISFORTUNE.

MISS JUICE MlSfORIUNE.
The weeks passed.
Grace improved rapidly, and was soon
able to sit up, although the doctor advised
quiet and no attempt at exertion, until she
was fully recovered, since reaction might
set in.
The probate court granted a stay of some
weeks regarding the will of the late Mr..
Vandible, on account of the illness of inn
portant witnesses. Lura Joyce had sue
ceeded in gaining this concession from the
court in spite of the covert opposition Of
Captain Starbnght and his attorney.
THE will is fraud, and can be proved
so if YOU will wait until the young Miss
Penrov and her mother are able to appear"
declared Lura, and so once again was the
scheming Captain thwarted.
He understood to whom he owed his non
success, and the bitter feeling IN his heart
for the brave young girl deepened into
absolute hatred
Miss Joyce often visited Stonetield in
the interested the young mechanic, who
lay in the county jail waiting the outcome
Of Grace Penroy's injury.
1t was an outrage not to permit bail, Lura
Joyce declared, and the young man in-
nocent, too The Captain and bis attorney,
however, managed to have the bail fixed at
such high figure that none of Austin
Wentword's friends could aid him, and so
the mechanic, wholly innocent as the reader
knows, languished in jail. The testimony
of Captain Starbright before the justice in
whose court Wentword had his exami-
nation was positive against the prisoner
and as the Captain was prominent citizen
there could be no doubling his oath.
Lura Joyce fretted ut this not o little,
nuf- finding that nothing ant1ll no dnpa ~
rescue the young man from prison until
freed by due process of law, she gave up
the case and turned her thoughts and eff
forts in another channel.
Mrs. Penroy was soon able to attend upon
the wants of her daughter, thus leaving
Lura Joyce more time to herself.
II believe Captain Starbright is at the
bottom of all this iniquty," declared Lura
one day 20 Grace. "You, of course, know
that Austin Wentword Ia innocent Of an at
tempt on your life.n
Certainly" assured Grace. "He and /
we're standing together when the shot was
nred by some one in ambush"
"Well, you shall testify to this in good
time. l have surprise in store for Gin
ton Starbright that will take him down a
peg when he comes TO chew on il; and, mind
you, Grace, the villain shall begin the mas
tication before he is many days older"
81 am not sure but what you wrong the
Captain" said poor little Grace, with
faint, sad smile. HE has been very kind
10 me during my illness"
"Rindi All put on, my dear, every bit of
it." declared Lura, quickly.
To this the invalid made no reply.
As she sat supported by pillows in o
great armchair she presented O pretty
picture, that even her more boisterous
cousin could not fail to admire.
"You will soon be strong again, DEAR"
said Lura. at seems incredible that such
an~accident should come to one SO good as
sou are. Grace. Sometimes l think that it
Dds an accident. You see, i am sentimental,
like other girls, once In awhile"
Then Lura gave vent to sharp little
laugh and sprang to her feet, gliding
swiftly from the room.
On her way to Stonefeld that very day
on the stage the horses became frightened
and ran, the stage was overturned, and
several Of thepassengers injured, among
them Lura Joyce.
''Confound the luckW exclaimed the girl,
when she found her ankle sprained so
severely as 70 prevent her bearing her
weight on it. "pll never ride in that stuffy
DID coach again. This serves me right for
not going on my own conference.-the back
Of Romeo
Thedriver secured farmers wagon. in
whichhe conveyed his passengers to the
city. Miss Joyce found shelter at the
house of a friend, where, TO her chagrin,
she was compelled TO remain for several
days on account of her injuries.
While here she was visited by grave
looking gentleman of thirty, whose sober
face and quiet manners were in direct con
trast to the bubbling exuberance of Miss
Joyce. This gentleman was DIR. Cotton,
really the mon learned and gifted physician
in the city. nat he was a friend Of Lura
Jo7eAsxas proved from the cordial nature of
their -eeting.
''How is your patient, DIR. Coltonln
This was about the first words after
good hearty hand-shake. Lura, with one
foot swathed resting on a hassock, reclin-
ing calmly in huge rocker, was an inter-
esting picture. The grave, dark eyes of the
young doctor evinced their admiration by
the earnestness of their gaze
my patient IS fast gaining, and will soon
be sound as dollar-my Old patient, but as
70 my young one that remains TO be SEEM
and Lura actually blushed under the affec-
tomato earnestness Of his gaze
$50 you heard OF my little tumblei" she
retorted, quickly. 81 had no idea that 1
should require the services of physician"
"That remains 70 be seen"
de then bent over the swollen limb, and
with deft fingers removed the wrappings.
He assumed the PHI sician's liberty, and
Lura Joyce was by no means prude enough
TO affect any false modesty under the cir
cumstances. She was anxious 70 be on her
feet again, and had full confidence in the
ability of DIR. Arthur Cotton, who would
have been called 10 visit Grace Penroy had
she the ordering Of physician at the out
set
After a brief examination he regarded
her gravely, and said;
~ find fracture here that viii necessi-
tate the utmost quiet for at least fort
night"
but I positively can not remain idle
that length of time,n declared the girl, In
quick agitation az must return to Lone
Hollow by tomorrow, at furthest"
THAT would be out of the question. You
are under my care now, Lura, and must
obey orders.n
Something like smile touched his face.
Lura realized that he was in earnest, how
ever, and she groaned inwardly'at the pros
pect. What might NOT happen during her
absenca from Lone Hollowl
There seemed 70 Do ne help fer IL. huw.