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

and the will, just drawn up for his sigma
ture. lay before his sightless eyes un-
signed.
"Whatever had been the intention OF
grandfather he certainly did not live to
place his signature to the WILL" concluded
Grace, in q voice husky with the intensity
Of her emotions.
"It is clear case of the basest rascalityW
exclaimed Austin Wentword. ITO me it
seems evident that Captain Starbright and
his lawyer have plotted to throw the million
left by your grandfather into the hands OF
The former. No doubt Starbright would be
willing for you to ref use to marry him, Tor
then the vast fortune would fall entirely
into his hands. 1t is a barefaced scheme that
can be easily frustrated"
"Itmust be- Within two weeks the heirs
will be summoned before the probate court
to give reasons, if any exist, why this will
be not admitted to probate as the honest
instrument of Morgan Vandible's hand.
At that time your testimony will be OF the
utmost Importance.
EYES," family.
81 believe your evidence alone will be
sufficient to break the will, but we must
have more to corroborate yours"
"How can you get more," queried Grace.
81 was the only one present save the
Captain and lawyer Gripes."
s'Well, we must find more evidence" de-
clared the young mechanic. 81 will consult
with our mutual friend, Louis Fingal. He is
wise and keen; between us all l believe we
shall be able to outwit Captain Starbright
and his scoundrelly lawyer. Circumstantial
evidence can be brought in. The forged
signature, of course is not likely to be an
exact counterpart of Mr.. Vandible's chirog-
raphy, and that will count for good deal.
We have two weeks in which to work, in
which time much can be DONE"
eyes," agreed Grace, with sigh. II wish
Lura was back here, AIN so lonely IN the
great house with only mother and the Cap
tain. may be foolish, but somehow have
adreau OF DOtn.''
"You shall not be left to the mercy of
either" declared Wentword. "Lura will
come, and she is match for the Captain
the best day he ever saw"
81 have always felt safe when my cousin
was here" said Grace. 'Iwas quite over
powered with joy when she returned, but
she made me promise not to reveal her
coming, as she wished to remain dead to the
world for time, the better to thwart the
plots of Captain Starbright, who at that
time trusted more fully than I do now"
ssHe is a villain without one redeemlng
trait. believe that it was he who at
tempted the life of Lura. They are bitter
foes, and he feared she would stand in his
way. The two tramps who hurled her into
Hangman's Gulch that night handled some
of Captain Starbright's money for that
work, l am fully assured"
- ,,%fo
not seem possible that one so apparently
kind, so elegant in manners, could be so
deeply wicked"
perhaps you still doubts"
II confess to incredulity to certain ex-
tent. I can not believe that Clinton Star
bright would stoop to murder. 1t seems
too horrible for belief"
'sTime will TELL" answered the young
mechanic. II have learned enough to
satisfy me that no crime is too vile for this
adventurer. By breaking the will and ex-
posing the villainy of Starbright we throw
every thing into your mothers hands, but
there seems to be no other way"
II shall be satisfied with that, knowing
that possess your love-" said the beauti
full girl, clinging fondly to his arm.
II am satisfied to gain your hand without
the fortune,' returned the infatuated
young man, bending and imprinting kiss
on the pale cheek of his companion.
Night shadows were falling and neither
saw the form of man crouching in the
bushes near, man who had listened to
nearly every word that had fallen from the
lips of the twain.
Presently he lifted himself so that his
ryI o. oIv10 nyy0c in, fhn
Neither shall live to crush me-" muttered
the prowler. Then his hand shot forward,
a flash followed, then a loud report
Grace Penroy sank apparently lifeless in
the arms of her companion, the blood
streaming down her face. The bullet of the
assassin had been well aimed.
The suddenness of the crime quite para
lyzed the young mechanic for the time He
felt the form of his betrothed a dead weight
in his arms. He eased her to the ground,
fully believing that she was dead.
An awful horror was cast over heart and
brain. He had heard the report, and seen
the flash. To discover the assassin was now
his desire. He sprang forward and caught
from the ground smoking pistol He
glared about him fiercely, but saw no one
Then he strobe back to the bleeding form
on Cho Srounu, Bull nOl0lng Ine smoking
weapon of death.
At this moment a man rushed down the
path from the direction of the house and
confronted Wentword
1t was Captain Starbright.
$50 it has come to this at last" cried the
Captain, in an awful voice. II feared it all
along. Poor Grace to die by the hand of
miserabl mudsillp
CHAPTER XIV.
THE ARREST.
For one moment the two men glarei
fiercely at each other.
Austin Wentword was too terribly
shocked to realize his position, or the full
meaning Of the words uttered by Captain
Starbright He even allowed the Captain
to take the pistol from his hands when he