The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1889-05-23

picked from the floor into tho keyhole.
He then made discovery.
The hole had been stoutly plugged
Something surely was wrong. He graspeo
the knob and shook the door.
No answer from within.
A chill shot to the heart Of FingaL BE
called the name OF Lucy and Of Grace, but
received no answer. A terrible fear op
pressed the young hunters heart as he
turned from the door and hurried TO the
stairs. He sped down these, three steps al
time, and came near landing In the arms
Of the colored maid.
"Lucy, you herefr demanded Fngal,
hoarseiy. "who is with Gracei''
miss Lura, l 'spect-"
81 do not believe it."
"But left her dar-"
Something is wrong" interrupted Fin.
gal, Selling and shaking the maid furionsly
"a You haven't been faithful, girl. The door
TO Grace's room is locked. Have you the
keyln
"Deed, marse, / hasn't"
Fingal stood irresolute for one moment
then sprang to the outer door, opened II
and passed out into the night. He hast
ened TO the side of the building, to spot
where light glimmered from an upper
window, the window of Grace Penroy's
ROOM
For an instant the young man stood
irresolute; then, seeming TO remember
something, he sped TO the rear of the old
house and in less than minute returned
bearing in his hands ladder. 1t was but
short work TO place this up against the
side Of the house.
II lust reached the window-sill.
A moment later the young hunter was
mounting swiftly upward. He soon gained
the top and although the curtains were
drawn he found a crevice through which
he could peer into the room.
What he saw caused him TO start and
nearly fall from the ladder. His hands
clinched the stone sill until the blood
seemed ready to burst from beneath tho
nails.
In the center of the room stood Captain
Starbright, with a look on his face that
was actually terrifying. 1t was only with
the utmost effort that Fingal held himself
from falling.
The Captains hat lay on the floor. His
coat was of, his arms bare to the elbows,
and he was evidently meditating some
terrible deed. Fingal saw him move toward
Us
face OF tine apparently sleeping girl, then
bend forward with the look of a fiend, and
Irvine his fingers about the throat Of his
unsuspecting victim.
"Great heaven he would strangle herw
gasped Fingal, hoarsely, almost losing his
hold in the intensity OF his horror. With q
mighty effort he steadied himself, seized
the sash, lifted it swiftly and plunged head
long into the room.
The noise and the unexpected appearance
of the hunter startled the would-be assas-
sin from his work, and he at once turned
his attention to the newcomer. He glared
an instant in evident alarm, then, with an
imprecation, sprang at theyouth as he came
TO his feet.
"Murdererr' cried Fingal
''Hal the Internal hunter sneak I'll
throttle you for thisr' and Captain Star
bright, evidently completely mastered by
rage and fear, sprang with the fury Of q
mailman at the throat Of his unwelcome
visitor.
Together the two went to the floor in a
struggle for the mastery. At the same
time a wild scream flied the room. Grace,
Weakened by the combat, was terribly
frightened, and it was her voice that filed
the old house with its piercing notes OF
alarm.
Fingal struggled desperately, but seemed
to be no match for the Infatuated Captain.
"Pll throttle YOUR Kissed Starbrlght.
''You have meddled with me and my affairs
for the last time"
At this. moment the long black hair on
Fingal's head came into the clutches OF
Starbright, another moment and his locks
were free from the head of his antagonist
With great cry Captain Starbright came
to his feet, quickly followed by the hunter.
A hand tried the door, and voice without
demanded admittance. Unheeding this the
Captain stood staring at Fingal. His
astoundment seemed too full for words
And no wonder.
Before him stood, in the person of Fingal,
another person entirely. There was no mis-
taking that face, the pug nose, with mus
tache brushed aside, that dancing, red
foretop.
"Lurd joyce, as 1 livep' exclaimed the
astounded Captain.
The girl regarded him with folded arms
breathing short, her eyes flashing, her
white teeth cleaning. She felt herself
mistress of the situation. Her hand sho,
forward suddenly, bright object CLEAN
ing at the end.
"Your race is run, Captain Starbright,'
she uttered lowly yet fiercelY. Stand
aside, wish TO open the door"
He seemed TO have no desire to t6wari
her wishes while a cooked revolver was
pointed toward his breast, and so he obeyed
without word. He glanced at the bed TO
note the fact that Grace had tainted.
With some difficulty Lura turned the key
and admitted DIR. Arthur Cotton.
"Alonel" uttered Lura.
s.Wait."
This was all. The doctor glanced at Cap
tain Starbright, then at the girl He
and Lura fancied she saw look Of semi
disgust on his grave face.
II can explain, Arthur"
sit doesn't natter" he uttered, shortly
my business is with Clinton Starbright
l suppose you recognize me, Captain?"
Starbright had recovered his composure,
and stood with folded arms regarding the
doctor from under frowning brows.
~ suppose do. You are the gentleman
who pretends to knowledge Of medicine
DR. Cotton"
''The same"
"But let me tell you," grated the Captain,
with angry vehemence, ~ have permitted
your interference here to the cost of life.
Look yonder at your work. You shall suffer
for this-this murde-."
He pointed to the bed.
Quickly DIR. Cotton stepped to the side Of
Grace and bent over the wasted FORM A
moment thus, then he faced the inmates of
the room once more. "She has tainted. 1t
is better SO for the present. Should she die
you will have another murder TO answer
for. know that you have been systematic
ally poisoning this girl"
THAT is falsep'
Don't interrupt me- said the doctor,
with strange calmness, no trace Of emotion
on his grave face. 81 made a discovery not
long since that startled and shocked me be-
You'd measure. You had the reputation Of
being a generous gentleman, with few bad
habits, and all your acquaintances looked
upon you as an honorable man.
Really" sneered the Captain, ''you do
me proud, DIR. Cotton"
l. g.