The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-01-10
10 N { HO LII W;
Or, the Peril of the Penroys.
CHAPTER Xxx.
UNDER A SPELL.


UNDER A SPELL
In the meantime Captain Starbright made
his way TO the stables, led out his grays
and with his own hands attached them to q
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, Lura Joyce. That girl, sharper
than a detective, is determined to be my
ruin. Eow did she escape death! can only
answer that the ugly twins have entered the
league against me. 1t was all pot to bring
destruction upon me- but it 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 colors at the mast"
Mounting the seat the Captain drove
swiftly away
1t was late at night when he reached
.St"nefield-too late TO consult with his law
yer-so he put up at a little public house, re-
solved to rest until the dawn Of another day
He was early astr. 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 Fingal-on tn /,
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 Starbnght,
accepting the friendly proifer.
Eyes. You came from Lone Hollow late
last night?"
"The hour was not early, that's fact"
"Did you meet Miss Joyce?"
"Slr?n
Captain Starbright glanced keenly into
the face OF the youth before him.
II asked if YOU met Miss Joyce. She is
friend of mine, and as she set out to visit
her cousin Grace thought you might have
met her. Tie roads seem dangerous to
travel these days, and 1 tried to dissuade
the girl from going, but she insisted on it,"
Indeed. You astound me, sir.''
''How is that?"
Il 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
II heard about It," answered Fingal.
coolly, offering his cigar case to the Captain,
who selected a fragrant roll and proceeded
to light it,
'Then you will understand how absurd it
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.
nCr11 ooc eft a rr1o oh %La
returned his clgar-case 10 his pocket with
out taking one himself, and leaning on the
Captains shoulder. pecred down into his
dark face, and with half smile stirring his
lips, said:
Il suppose you do think 1t absurd, my
dear Captain, yet it is, nevertheless, true
that d d see Lura Joyce. and that she did
go 10 Lone Hollow last night. 1t seems that
an attempt was made upon her life by Il
couple of low ruffians, and that it failed,
thanks to the interference of an unexpected
friend. / haven't learned the full particr-
lars yet, but l expect to when l see the
young lady again"
'You surprise me-" uttered Starprlgnr.
81 am glad, however, to know that the girl
escaped Why did she remain away so
long?"
"Of course you are glad. You and Miss
Joyce were such good frcnds.'
Was there a sarcastic ring in the voice
of the young hunters Captain Starbright
imagined so, and the small dark face seemed
to take on hooking smile. The Captain
hdgeted in his scat, yet, somehow, seemed
riveted to the chair.
He attempted to rise, but Fingal's hand
pressed gently yet firmly against his shout
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 Il strong spell, and
faces and objects began to float and be-
como indistlnct. Even the voice of Fingal
was but an indistnct murmur.
And still the Captain puffcd at his cigar.
and permitted gentle languor to steal over
his senses.
'The girl was miraculously saved, )" pro-
ceedcd Fingal, land she has returned to
make 1t interesting for the villain who en-
ployed couple of rufilns to murder her.
1t was the desperate work OF an assassin.
throwing off the detective that was hot on
his track A girl detectivel That sounds
odd, yet 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 but
indistinctly, yet felt vibration of fear at
his heart, AMI tho smiling, dark face Of
Louis Fingal seemed like black Nemesis
frowning upon him.
What was it that bound his limbs as
though i'll 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 unseen
meSheS.
Vain effort
Although two tramps seized and hurled
the girl over precip &C, she was not killed.
She lives, and You will yet meet her, if YOU
have not already, since her resurrection
from supposed death at The bottom Of
Hangman's Gulch'
Why do you thus address me2" artic-
ulatcd the Captain with no little difficulty
what has the fate of this simple girl to do
with metz
I'D you say it has notning?,
The mocAng smile still fingered on the
face of Louis Fingal.
"Of course, that is the fact"
"Butin that case who paid those two
rufflans for their works"
81 do not know"
"Captain Clinton Starbright, you do know
asserted Finga, with ringing emphasis.
"YOu would gladly give your right hand to
be assured that Lura Joyce was dead"
'Where did you learn so mucn2"
"From observation. You attempted tc
take Lura Joyce's life last night, but was
frightened from your work."
Captain Siarbright shook the hand of
Fingal from his shoulder and attempted to
gain his feet. For the life of HIM he could
not. An invisible hand he'd him down, and
seemed to bind the very throbbings of his
heart.
All what spell is thise
Cantain Starbr;ght writhed and twisted