Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1889-05-23

| Lura came TO her feet and made a swift
examination of the bottles and glasses on
the stand near.
She found two small white powders and
medicine in glass. One Of these powders
she appropriated. Scarcely had she done
so when Captain Starbright entered, and
gong TO the stand cast a sharp look over
the numerous bottles and glasses
he turned suddenly upon Lura with /:
"Some one has been meddling. There were
two powders here a short time ago.
"Grace has taken one" answered Lura,
| promptly, anxious TO avoid suspicion, and
feeling justified in making false state
ment under the circumstances
us that trueln
Question her if you doubt. / supposed
the powder was proper enough"
Certainly" he uttered, quickly. q" It is
all right
He then lifted the tumbler containing the
liquid medicine, and going to the window,
raised II and flung the contents to the
| winds.
To LuraJoyce this was a suspicious action,
and she was thankful that she had made
sure of one of the powders in season. The
rack should not make her give it up now.
why do you throw that outi" questioned
/
ut needs replenishing," he answered.
81 hope you are to remain with US now
Grace missed you so much"
II shall remain, and will relieve you Of
all tho careof my cousin" answered Lura.
He went out soon after, leaving the young
| girl in fiutter of intense excitement She
harbored terrible suspicion that she dare
not whisper TO the suffering, unsuspecting
Grace. She was terribly anxious TO consult
with grave DR.. Cotton, but for the time was
incapable OF formulating a plan of action,
since she dared not leave Grace: alone for
an hour. She believed that the poor girl
had been systematically poisoned, and that
now the villainous Captain would not hesi-
tate TO finish his work should she give him
the opportunity.
He must suspect me, "she thought, "else
he would not have flung away that medi-
cine. He hopes TO cover his tracks, but he
shall not. Ihave one OF the powders and
some one who understands chemistry shah
examine it,"
or course that some one could be mona
other than DR.. Cotton.
Lura did not leave the room for moment
during the re mander Of the afternoon, and
when at night, after the lamps were liz ana
black Lucy came in, she drew tho colored
girl outside and questioned her with regard
TO Captain Starbnght
"He's done gone TO Stouefeld, miss"
" 1t Is well. Now, Lucy, know you love
your young mistress, and that you will do
any thing toserve her"
"'Deed / does, missus"
~ am aware OF that, and want you to
make me solemn promise not 10 leave this
room, not 10 permit any one else to enter,
until I return. ! am going away and may
be gone half the night. If Captain Star
bright is away you're not likely to be dis
turbed, but even II he should come, do not
permit him TO enter. Will you do as wishan
"Good land, missus, how's goin' toahelp
it eff de Cap'n comes an wants to git inn
uttered the black maid in q tone evincing
her utter helplessness
"But you must not let him in. Lock the
door. have it. | will lock you in this
room and take the key with me. You viii
agree to that, Lucyl"
"Yes, missus."
"Very good"
Then Miss Joyce went over to the side Of
Grace and told her that she was going away
for short time, but that she would soon
return.
us this necessary" sighed the sick girl
"Highly necessary" assured Lura. -
will be gone but few hours. 1t is for your
sake that am going. mean TO bring you
out Of this in short order"
al fear 1t is too late"
Remember Austin Wentword and be
brave" said Lura, in low tone, and then
shelnssed the pale check Of her cousin and
hastened from the room, locking the door
behind her.
She was soon in the open air Fastening
TO the stables.
She found Romeo, who whinnied at the
approach of his mistress, and hastily fixing
the saddle led him forth into the starlit
night
Just then she was startled at feeling
hand touch her shoulder.
whittier now, Miss Joyces"
II was the voice of Captain Starbright.
Lura faced him boldly, though not wi tn.
out misgivings. She had hoped that he was
far away from Lone Hollow at this hour. IL
was not pleasant to know that her eve ry
movement was so closely watched.
~ mean to absent myself for little
time" answered the girl.
"Are you going to StoneheldF'
Perhaps"
"On what errandl'
"That wholly concerns me-" retorted the
daring girl, turning to reach the saddle.
He clutched her arm tightly and held her
TO the ground.
"Not yet, Lura Joyce" he grated, hastily.
81 know you hope TO ruin me, but shall
not permit you TO do it You can not go 70
Stonefield tonight"
"Can notp'
81 have said it,"
Even as the defiant words fell from his
lips he staggered backward, with cry OF
astonishment and pain. The clinched hand
of Lura dealt him a sharp blow in the face
that caused him to loosen his grip on the
girls arm
Like flash of electricity Lura bounded
to the saddle and uttered a sharp word TO
Romeo, who shot down into the gloomy hol-
low like an arrow A muttered imprecation
fell from the lips Of the baff1ed Captain.