The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-01-17

UullCt VI q VI u~A .'~~-f
Wentword.
"It is awful" agreed the young hunter.
"Can you imagine who rould be SO WICKED
as to do this''
81 can not"
| ut is Captain Starbright's work." de.
! clared the young hunter. lie Is WICKED
| enough for any thing. He has plotted 10
gain the Vandible fortune, ind nothing Is
! too black in the way of crime that he Will
not do to gain what he seeks. Ihat man
must be watched. have not seen the VIII
left bv Morgan Vandible, but know Its con-
tents from one who has read it, and It'll Sc
| worded as to leave every thing to Captain
| Starbrlght should Grace die or marry
another Depend upon it, Austin, 1T was a
hand hired by the Captain that fired the
bullet at Grace tonight"
cit may be So / can not believe that one
so pure and good has an enemy IN the
world"
"She has enemies only as she IS an OBJ
staclein the way of that devils greed. he
must be watched"
ssMr Fingal, quite agree with you," re-
! turned the mechanic, sadly. 'The captain
must be watched, and know of but one
person who can do it successfully"
| "Well?"
81 mean Lura Joyce She is atStonefield,
and YOU know where. If you would only
20 for her should feel under everlasting
obligations to you. l like that girl, and be-
lieve now that Grace isis ill, she would
gladly come"
"Of course she would" agreed the young
hunter, touched deeply by the emotion
evinced by Wentword. 81 will go for the
girl myself. know her like a book, and
lo1o ,ir,rr a
moment when she learns that her cousin is
injured"
"You are very kind
"Not word of that sort, Austin. Hike
you and Grace, and hope that you may both
live to be united and happy in spite of the
Vaccinations OF contemplate vlllaln.'
Then Fingal turned from the room
Austin Wentword sat like one in dream
until he heard the outer door clang behind
the departing hunter, then he leaned his
head on his hands and moaned in an agony
of spirit.
A pair of glIttering black eyes looked in
upon the Borrowing young man, the malev-
olence in their depths indicating how ven
omous was the heart beneath.
cit is we'll The game is now completely
in my hands, muttered Captain Star
bright, as he passed down the hall to the
front door, after glancing in upon the
bowed form of Wentword He stood on the
steps and peered down through the trees
to the road and the gloomy hollow beyond.
Night held full sway now, and a mist hung
over Lone Hollow, as if the blue armament
was mourning for the beautiful girl so
cruelty stricken down this night
Captain Starbrlght became nervous after
, little and began pacing the wide veranda
with solemn steps and slow, his chin bowed
upon his breast, a thoughtful, troubled look
In his eyes.
He remained pacing here until the roll Of
wheels announced the coming of the ply
,ician from StOneield.
Mrs. Penroy and young Wentword were
1t the bedside of Grace when the doctor en-
.ered Both fell back to. permit the man of
medicine an opportunity for examination.
The widow, after recovering from the
irst shock, was extremely nervous, yet she
seemed to realize her duty and at once
assumed place near the wounded girl.
Grace was still unconscious, but breathed,
md when the doctor rose from brief ex-
animation and turned to the widow, there
was a look on his face that brought throb
IF hope to the hearts of all-no, not all, for
there was one present who was not pleased
1T the good doctors announcement.
ga bad wound, but if the Inflammation can
be kept down, the girl will recover. A few
days will decide. The skull has been slight
ly fractured, Think
| For the first time since the crack of the
pistol had rung in his ear Austin Went
word breathed easy. HIS pallid counte-
nance lit up with a glad light, while from
his heart fell silent benediction.
DR.. Faxon left medicine, washes for the
wound and brief yet comprehensive in
structions, and then took his departure.
He had scarcely gone when another
vehicle drew up at Lone Hollow.
Austin Wentword stood over the wounded
girl in solemn, thoughtful attitude. He
heard no sound of steps, although two men
had crossed the threshold and stood at his
elbow.
| A hand touched his arm.
He turned then to confront bluff look
ing man, who, with wonderful dexterity,
snapped pair Of handouts over the wrists
of the astounded Austin Wentword.
! "What does this mean?" demanded the
mechanic, Keeling backward.
! SIT means that you are my prisoner, Aus
tin Wentworth returned the man, in a
stern voice. 81 have warrant for your ar
rest"
At the same time the officer, whom Went
word recognized as the county sheriff, pro-
duced paper and began reading. So dazed
was he that the prisoner only caught word
| here ana there, enough to inform him that
he had been accused of an assault on one
Grace Penroy with intent to commit MUIR
der.
The idea seemed ridiculous as well as
horrible to Wentword.
He was not permitted to say word in
his own defense, but was hurried from the
room and the house, and was soon being
whirled over the road to Stonefield jail 1t
was sad termination to the lovers meet
ing of the evening.
And now two watchers were left beside
the wounded and insensible Grace-her
mother and Captain Starbright For some
minutes after the departure nf Wantvord
m the hanGs of the sheriff not word broke
the solemn stiffness of the room. The Cap
tain was the first to speak
"You see now what comes of permitting
Grace to receive the attentions of low me-
chaniG"
Mrs. Penroy lifted her faded eyes and re-
garded the speaker fixedly.
$50 you imagine it is to him nv Door
Grace owes this hurt?"
"Certainly. have proof that will hang
him should your daughter die. 1t was a
lovers quarrel again, and the use of pistol
IN the hands of low villain mad WITH jeal-
ol.sy."
1t is terribler'
The tremorin the woman's voice went far
toprove that, although seemingly heartless
at times, yet Martha Penroy had an affection
for her daughter that was a credit to her
motherhood.
Terrible, indeed" returned the Captain.
g hope you see the folly of countenancing
a low fellow like Wentword now L"
captain Starbright, please don't"
moaned the wretched woman, pleading1y.