The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-12-13

low voice, husky and tremulOuS with feel.
ing. "You distrust me, Austin Went
word, and, knowing this, it would bring
only misery to link my fate with yours. j
accept what you evidently wish, freedom
from our engagement"
Then she tore PLAIN gold circlet from
her finger and held it toward him.
"Grace, do you me- an this?"
He uttered the words in a sort of astound.
ment. Evidently he had not intended that
their quarrel should lead to such length.
"Distrust would kill me- I mean it, sir.
After to-day you need not come again"
He accepted the ring and was silent. She
turned, forgetting her book that lay on the
ground, and was fastening away when his
voice held her steps.
"Miss Penroy, you have forgotten some
thing"
When she faced him again he was holding
the book toward her. He then advanced
and placed it in her hand.
"Thanks, Mr.. Weutword."
Then she continued her course toward the
house, not many rods distant, the young
mechanic watching her retreating form
with mingled feelings Of anger and sorrow
Scarcely had she disappeared when another
stepped upon the scene in the person Of
Captain Starpr1gnJ.
Unaware of the quarrel, although he haG
been viewing the two from distance fol
some time, the Captain knew not how mop
perfume was his coming. Wentword was
not in mood for sensible, gu ct converse
and the sight of Captain Starbright, whom
he viewed as his successful rival, reused al
the evil in the young fellows nature What
occurred would not have happened had my
hero been of that sanity pattern made t.
order by some of the novel writer's of the
day.
Austin Wentword was human, and Der
haps had his full share of faults; he Ger
tainly was not a saint, and, at the present
time, his passions were reused to higt
pitch.
"Ah, whom have we heres" sneered Cap
tain Starbright, in a lofty and insoient way
that was notcslculated to soothe the wound
ed feelings of the Stone6eld mechanic
Austin grasped the Captains collar and
said, fercely:
A man who can fog score of sucf
pusiuanimous sneaks as you are. You cal
yourself Captain, Captain of what
should like to know! If you were ever il
the army, it must have been as q private il
the pear rank Of the home guard or broom
brigade.
"Unhand mel" ordered the Captain, al
lowing his hand to seek his hip beneath the
lkirts Of his coat Here he usually carried
weapon ready for use IN case of danger.
"Not until make you confess that you
bre coward and never was in the army"
81 shall hurt you, young man, unless you
take your dirty paw off my collar" threat
sned Captain Starbright, now white with
rage.
That is how will unhand you," cried
The angry mechanic, at the same time deal
ing the Captain a sharp blow on the cheek
with the fiat Of his hand. $50 tell Miss
Penroy that I send her q cowardly cur for a
helpmeet. Maybe she'll salve your hurts
with her tears"
At this moment a bright object cleaned
in the face of Austin Wentword. Then
came a fash and sharp report. A deadly
bullet grazed the cheek of the mechanic.
On the instant the two men closed in a
desperate struggle for the mastery. Itwas a
struggle that might end only in the death
Of one of the twain. It was lucky for
the conflict.
Wentword seized the Captains wrist and
attempted to wrest the revolver from his
grasp. Feeling that to lose the weapon
meant doom to himself, Captain Starbright
chung to it with the tenacity of desperation.
And thus the two men went to the
ground.
Over and over they rolled in the grass
Captain Starbright felt his grip on his revolv
err weakening. It was torn from his grasp
and then a terrible weakness swept his
being.
"Mercy!' he gasped, as he felt the knee
Of his antagonist against his breast and saw
the cooked and cleaning weapon in thu
hand of his maddened rival.
MERCY to such as y0u-neusr"
Then Austin Wentword thrust his weap
on in the face of his enemy and was on thu
point Of pressing the trigger when han(
touched his shoulder.
"Ne, Mr.. Wentworth murder must no
stain your hands"
The words, uttered in low tone, held thu
hand Of the would-be slayer. Afterwarf
the young mechanic could not feel too CRATE
full for the interruption that saved him from
the brand of Cain.
The young mechanic came to his feet t.
find himself confronted by q slender you'll
who held rife across the hollow of hi.
arm. The reader has met this character
before-Louis Fingal.
"Who are you! Why do you interfere9'
demanded Wentw0rd, in an angry tone
glazing meaacingiy at the new conner.
"To save bloodshed and your soul from
perdition," answered the youth, quickly.
Captain Starbright was now on his feet
regarding the person who had saved his lif(
with grateful curiosity.
1t strikes mo we have met before,n ut
tered the Captain.
"Once, I believe"
81 can not, however, cali to mind tn,
time"
mo? A few days since; just at the foot O.
Lone Hollow
The memory of the time and the note O.
warning flashed swiftly into the brain O.
Captain Starbright He was naturally pug
zled. Before he could question che younf
hunter further Austin Wentword raised
the captured revolver, fired it in the air til
every chamber was empty, then flung tn.
weapon at the feet of his rival.
"There is your revolver, Mr.. Staubrlght,'
growled the young mechanic. 81 will NEE
you at another time when no friend Is neal
to take your part"
Then Wentword turned and hurried swift
~ away.
81 will meet you, hetspur," sneered tn,
Captain, angrily. He snatched his revolvel
from the ground and moved as if to follow
his enemy. The hand Of Fingal detained
him, however.
"This Ia Madness" declared the younj
hunter. ITO quarrel thus on account of ,
girl Must the softer sex always brinJ
woea I gave you credit for better sense
Captain Starbright"
"But thatyoung mudsill assaulted me lk,
q coward
"He made the first assaultY"
"He did"