The Iola register., 1889-04-12


will talk further on this subject at another
time"
Mrs. Penroy rose, went to her(daughter's
side, kissed her with seeming tenderness,
and then Grace went from the room.
"Saved! thank Hesvenr fervently ejac
ulated the widow.
CHAPTER Xxx.
UNDER SPELL
In the meantime Captain Starbright made
his way to the stables, led out his grays
and with his own hands attached them TO .
light vehicle.
II have been duped IN the worst kind Of
way" he muttered through close-shut
teeth "Mother CABRERA lied to me when she
pointed out that grave in the cellar and as
sured me that there lay the mortal remains
of my enemy, LuraJ Joyce. That girl, sharper
than detective, 10 determined to be my
ruin. How did she escape deathl I can only
answer that the ugly twins have entered the
league against me. It was all plot to bring
destruction upon me, but 1t will not work
Worst Of all, Karl Vandible lives. lean not
understand that Wonders will never cease
in this world, and all Of the fates seem just
now to combine against me, but will defy
the fates and WIN this game, else go down
with coiors at the mast"
Mounting the seat the Captain drove
swiftly away.
It was late at night when he reached
Stonedeld-too late to consult with his law
verso he put up at little public house, re-
solved to rest until the dawn Of another day.
He was early astir. Almost the first per-
son he encountered in the hotel Office after
breakfast was Louis Fingal, the handsome
young hunter. The Captain was not exactly
certain as to the status Of Fngal-on the
whole he set the youth down as not his
friend at least, although he might not be in
active league with his enemies.
81 am glad to see you, Captain"
Fingal held out his hand.
"Indeed. We seem to meet at unexpected
times and places" returned Starbrlght,
accepting the friendly profier.
"Yes. You came from Lone Hollow late
last nightin
'The hour was not carly, that's fact"
"Did you meet Miss Joycea"
"Srr'
Captain Starbright glanced keenly into
the face Of the youth before him.
81 asked il you met Miss Joyce. She Is
friend Of mine, aud as she set out to visit
her cousin Grace / thought you might have
met her. The roads seem dangerous to
travel these days, and I tried to dissuade
the girl from going, but she insisted on it."
Indeed You astound me, sir"
SHOW is thatl'
81 supposed you were aware Of the fact
that Miss Joyce disappeared mysteriously
some weeks since, and it was supposed that
she met with an accident" 2.
Il heard about it." answered Fingsl,
coolly, offering his cigar case to the Captain,
who selected a fragrant roll and proceeded
to light it --..
"1hen you will u nderstand how absurd 1t
seems to me when you speak Of seeing said
young lady," said the Captain, as he sat
down next the window and proceeded to
puff great clouds Of perfumed smoke up
ward.
Finga cast keen glance about the room,
returned his cigar-case to his pocket with
out taking one himself, and leaning on the
Captains shoulder, peered down into his
dark face, and with half smile stirring his
lips, said:
81 suppose you do think 1t absurd, my
dear Captain, yet it is, nevertheless, true
that 1 did see Lura Joyce, and that she did
go to Lone Hollow last night 1t seems that
an attempt was made upon her life by .
couple of low ruffians, and that it failed,
thanks to the Interference Of an unexpected
friend. haven't learned the fall particu-
lars yet, but expect to when l see the
young lady again" at
"You surprise me-" uttered Starbright.
81 am glad, however, to know that the girl
escaped. Why did she remain away so
longw
"Of course you ara glad. You and Miss
Joyce were such good friends"
Was there a sarcastic ring in The voice
of the young hunter Captain Starbright
imagined so, and the small dark face seemed
to take on a mocking smile. The Captain
fdgeted in his seat, yet somehow, seemed
riveted to the chair. #ssHa -
He attempted to rise, but Fingars hand
pressed gently yet firmly against his shoul-
der. and in a low voice he said:
"No. no, my dear Captain, keep your seat.
/ am becoming interested as well as your
self"
And the Captain remained
He seemed subject to strong spell, and
faces and objects began to flost and be-
come indistlnct. Even the voice Of Fingal
was but an indistinct murmur.
And still the Captain pulled at his cigar,
his senses.
s.The girl was miraculously saved" pro
ceeded Fingal, land she has returned &c
make it interesting for the villain who en-
pioyed couple of ruffians to murder her.
1t was the desperate work Of An assassin
throwing OF the detective that was hot on
his track. A girl detectivei That sounds
odd, yet I do believe that Lura Joyce is
nothing less, and that she will not cease
her efforts until prince Of villains is run
to earth"
Captain Starbright, although hearing bu,
indistinctly, yet felt . vibration Of fear al
his heart, and the smiling, dark face o1
Louis Fingal seemed like black Nemesi.
frowning upon him.
What was it that bound his limbs a.
though in a wise, and held him ON the
rack while being tortured? He realized
now that Fingal was his foe and he strived
to extricate himself from the unseer
meshes. .------
Vain effort
although two tramps seized and hurled
the girl over a precipice, she was not killed
She lives, and you will yet meet her, if 70,
have not already, since her resurrection
from supposed death at the bottom oi
Hsngman's Gulch." = sr5s.5l- AHt
"Why do you thus address me." artic
ulated the Captain with no little difficulty
"What has the fate of this simple girl to d.
with me!"
"Do you say it has nothing!"
The mocking smile stu fingered on the
face of Louis Fingal.
"Of course, that is the fact"
"But in that case who paid those tw
rufians for their workf'
al do not know"
captain Clinton Starbright, you do know,
, asserted Fngal, with ringing emphasis
"You would gladly give your right hand 4