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

Had she then heard his muttered wordSs
How came she here at this hour of the night?
He had seen nothing of her since she
appeared to him in the road in front of the
mansion weeks before, when he had at
tempted to murder her. To him she seemed
to bear charmed life. How. much did she
know of his real character, of his hand in
the first attempt that had proven such q
disastrous failure! Had she learned aught
from the maniac whose dead body slept so
safely beneath the surface of the forest poole
He could not answer these questions, but
he at once formed plan of action, resolving
inwardly to tide over present trouble as
smoothly as possible.
"You choose to make yourself disagree
able, Miss Joyce" he said, with a smile,
that caused the wings of his tawny mus
tache to lift and then droop suddenly. 81
am nevertheless glad to meet you"
He held out his hand.
Wonderful as it may seem, she accepted
the proffer of friendship, and returned his
smile with one of equal cunning.
Il suppose you did not expect me, Cap
tain!''
'No, but L am pleased all the same Some
one is needed at Lone Hollow who can take
complete charge of the internal affairs dur
Ing MlSo CiIOy , lluoSS. ncr IuOtucr Is
utterly incompetent"
'You think could assume charges"
eff you will, certainly
Thus coolly talked the two who were
deadly enemies. Lura knew that he was
aching to strangle her, even while his dark
face was wreathed in smiles. She had en-
tered the house for purpose that could be
better carried through by assuming meek
ness che did not feel and CO che cp,of horod
her true feelings.
''Of course l will remain. heard that
my cousin was badly injured, and fastened
here at once. Really this is all the home I
have, and l meant to come soon in any
event. Many changes have taken place
since left here weeks ago. When I think
Of all that have passed through find my
SELF wondering thai anu yeJ allve.
1T is a wonder''
"Considering the hand you had in it, Cap
.ain''
She smiled wickedly as she regarded him.
her red foretop quivering unpleasantly.
"You wrong me, Lura." he said, in a low.
subdued tone. II was mad that night.
absolutely crazed when assaulted YOU at
the gate. have never been fully able to
explain that to myself. Imeant at the first
opportunity to beg your pardon
Indeed! An you had no hand in hurl-
irg me into the gulch that nights" Her eyes
fairly pierced him to the quick.
She was treading on dangerous ground,
but she could not resist the temptation.
" Into the gulch? l do not understand"
he said, evidently perplexed. II never knew
what happened to you that night last sum-
mer, Lura. | meant to ask about that at the
first opportunity-''
Which, when it occurred, you attempted
to strangle me out yonder in the darkness. "
Her hand was raised, a finger pointln g
toward the road.
"Lura, let me explain
81 am listening,' icily.
You know that like most men L have a
weakness-love of wealth 1 admit that
have attempted questionable practices in
order to obtain it. 1 clGe here to Lone
Hollow to win it's heiress You see, am
frank with you. never meant to stain my
soul with Il crime, however, for against
blood revolt as heartily as even yourself"
He paused. She made no attempt to in
terrupt him, and he proceeded:
when you put in an appearance at Lone
Hollow | realized that my chance of WIN
ming the heress was lessened. knew how
you hated me, and felt alarmed. wished
you away, anywhere but in this house"
Even under the sod," and she smiled
grmly as she interrupted him.
"No. In that you wrong me-" he assert
ed, impressively. II did notplan to harm
you, could not do that; for to be honest
with you, Lura you are the only girl who
ever stirred the inner depths of my heart.
If you had been the heiress instead of
Grace could have wooed with tenfold more
fire. But let that pass. 1 endured your
presence without attempting to abate it.
That night, when you disappeared so mys-
teriously, and during the days that followed
when l turned heaven and earth to find you.
was really sad at heart, although elated at
the thought that you would not be likely to
trouble Inc again.
Il was getting on swimmingly with Grace
when, to my surprise, you suddenly re
| turned. l saw you enter the house and &C
to Grace PenrOys room. l then believed
that you had played a trick on us all, on me,
for the purpose of beating me out of this
fortune on which 1 set such hopes The
thought that was about to be defeated
when the wealth was ready to fall into my
hands maddened me, and l lost reason and
cOOlneSS