The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-01-31
CHAPTER Xxx.

In the gtdss!' uttered voice, husky Win
intense excitement.
CHAPTER xxx.
AN APPARITION.
Captain Starbright started back with
Wild thrill of alarm at his heart. Inc voice
seemed at his very elbow, and IN MS nerv-
,us excitement he dropped the glass 10 the
| floor.
It was shattered, and the poison dissipated
over the carpet Grace lay breathing holly,
quite as startled as the Captain. Lura had
ont as vet dared whisper her suspicious to
the sick girl, and so the accusing voice
frightened Grace almost to fainting
"What was its" questioned Grace, after
an instant of terror.
| Captain Starbright turned swiftly to tie
door without reply. He realized now that
1he warning must have been sent through
the keyhole. He crossed the carpet, turned
the key in the lock and opening the door
sprang quickly into the upper hall Not ten
feet distant he saw the form of man NOV
ing swiftly away.
He recognized the intruder as Louis
Fingal.
''Halt there, you scouadrefi:
| But the young hunter evidently wished
| 10 avoid the Captain, and began moving at
swlfter gait. Then the Captain started in
pursuit, resolved on bringing the fellow to
account for his interference.
Down the hall, up a flight of narrow
stairs to the garrett the young hunter fed,
and here in the shadows the Captain lost his
enemy He CROPPED about for fully half an
hour ere he gave up the search
AS he descended the garrett stairs he
came full upon Lura Joyce.
What in the name of all that is lovely
were you doing up yonder, Captain?'' the girl
demanded, with a piercing look
sDid you see him.
| ''See whom!"
ssThat internal hunter, Fingal'
''Of course not. The young fellow is a
| gentleman. What an idea, to think of look
ing in garrett for gentleman friend of
the family. / believe you are going crazy,
| Captain Starbright," and Lura at the last
indulged in an amused and tantalizing
| laugh.
81 begin to think so myself he
| answered, striding tiercely away.
/ Lura hurried swiftly to the sick chamber.
She found Grace alone the broken tumbler
on the carpet. Gathering the ragged frag-
ments the girl placed them on the stand,
| then resumed her seat beside Grace, who
seemed deeply excited, as her pale cheeks
were flushed, and there was an unusual
glitter Of the gray eyes.
'Did you hear it? Do you know?' ques-
Toned the sick girl in tremulous accents.
II know all about it. You had a narrow
escape, Grace, but don't worry over 1t now;
the danger is past"
Danger! Was it really true"
eyes, dear Fingal told me- He is my
| friend and yours"
"Fingal? Was it he who spoke of-of the
water being poisoneds"
eyes, dear. He has consented to remain
on the premises for time. The Captain is
, bad man, but do not worry over that
now'
She sick girl closed her eyes and tried to
collect her scattered thoughts. 1t was a
task, however, that she was not likely to
accomplish. When Lucy returned from
Mrs. Penroy, who was still too Ill to leave
her room, Lura reprimanded her for leaving
Grace alone.
ssBut Missus Pen sent for me-"
ut doesn't matter. want you to remem-
Der and obey me-" said Lura Joyce, sharply.
'Deed-I will, missus."
''See that you do. When I am absent
you must go from this room on no errand
whatever. Will you remembera"
Eyes, missus.''
Soon after Lura Joyce was pacing the
upper hall with nervous steps and 6
thoughtful expression of countenance.
"Why doesn't DR.. Cotton comes' muir.
INJURED the girl, impatlently. 1.-THE time is
ripe for the work, and he assured me that
he would be here before this. l dare not
trust myself away from here now. The
Captain is becoming desperate. He hopes
to see Grace die, and then Austin Went
word would suffer either imprisonment OF
death for the CRIME of murder that I
actually believe Starbright himself, or an
accomplice, committed -
Uneasy was the heart of Lura
The day waned and night fell with no
doctor.
In the afternoon Captain Starbright left
the vicinity of Lone Hollow on foot. He,
too was gloomy and dissatisfied The i'm
mense fortune lay almost within his grasp,
| yet not near enough to SEIZE
'Lura Joyce has thus far proved nv evil
genius" muttered the Captain. II would
certainly have long since been in undisputed
possession of the Vandible fortune but for
her Fool that was to ever pay court to
| such a strong minded woman. She follows
me like a cat. watches and suspects some
thing wrong always. believe she knows
that Grace was dying from subtle poison.
and has determined to thwart, perhaps to
crush me. But am too clever to permit a
| girl to corner me- will crush her and that
young hunter, Fingal. He, too, seems to be
IN the league against me. Confound Gripes
He ought to have put that will through the
court before this"
The Captain followed the path that led to
the CABRERA cabin. When he reached the
place he tried the door, 1t opened to his
touch and he entered. He found the place
deserted. The Caberas had gone, he knew
not whittier, and he hoped that he might not
see them again. If one Of them lived, how
ever, he knew that he might expect visit
at the end of six months.
The house was gloomy, and the sound OF
his feet sent cold chill over him.
He passed out and walked to the edge of
the gulch. little way off, The depths
were allowed and gloomy. Autumnal
1rosts had changed the leaves to brown and
yellow In places, and the air that sighed
through the trees was chill and uncomfort-
able. There seemed premonition of an early
winter in it's breath.
While he stood there with the grim shad-
ows OF the short afternoon lengthening into
the gloom of night, Captain Starbright
thought of the past, of the year gone in
which his brain had schemed and plotted
for self-aggrandizement
| 1T is more than two years now since 7
! struck the first blow for the Vandible mill
ion amid the hills of California, he NUT
Tered, maudlbly, while his thoughts ran on.
linen came the sudden death of thu
other, and my coming to Lone Hollow to
win the friendship of an easily-duped old
man l pretended to be the friend of his
ldollzed though erratic brother, and brought
MN a memento from the far-off land of
gold. told how had ministered to the
| dying, and completely won old Morgan Van.
| dlble'S heart. Karl his vounuast h.o4ha.