Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-02-11

girl.
 The servants secured the vicinity without success. Old MT. Vandlble was worked up to fever heat, while his granddaughter was nearly crushed with grief.
 "I know something terrible has hap pened," declared poor Grace, again and again.
 "Confound it, what business had Lura to go away, I'd like to know! think girl of her age ought to know something. The idea of riding vicious horse eunaccompanied over that lonely road, with tramps and wild animals thick as fleas on a dog, is pre- sumptuous, yes, presumptuous, say"
 Then the old man would bring his cane down with tremendous thump that would make things jingle.
 "Grandpa, don't" pleaded Grace. ''It was all my fault. sent Cousin Lura."
 "You sent herl For what, I'd like to know2 The idea-yes, the ideal say, of a girl trapeslng off just at night after knick- knacks not worth sixpence. If the girls dead, her neck broke frt m her folly and yours, Grace Penroy, I reckon the lesson I'll be a mighty useful one for both of you; yes, for both of you hity-tity girls, say"
 Then the old man stamped up and down the porch, humping his cane after every other word in way that, on another occa- sion, would have been Imaginable in the ex. treme.
 Tho shades of night came with 10 news of the missing Lura. CaptaIn Starbright felt like congratulating himself. If an ac' cident had happened it would prove a lucky circumstance for him.
 He had been only too anxious 10 have the determined Miss Joyce out of his path, that he might have no object in the way of the full accomplishment of his schemes. He hoped that she had really met with an acci dent that would prevent further interfer ence on her part.
 "Oh, Captain, what shall, what c4n we do!" moaned Grace, appealing to Captain Starbright in a way that almost touched his hardened heart.
 "We can only hope for the best" he re turned.
 'Do you think we have any reason tc hope?"
 He saw that she was anxious for him tc speak words of cheer, and so he would moi disappoint her, for the Captain was ex tremcly anxious to gain the good will of the heiress who had once snubbcd him for his hasty familiarity.
 II think we have good ground for hope Grace" he said, in reassuring tone "Really, I haven't the least idea that any thing serious has befallen your cousin. have known the young lady for some time and can assure you that, though reckless and strung, she Is aoundantly able tC take care of herself"
 "Then how do you account for her not re- turning hoinc?"
 "I do not pretend to account for it. he answered. "What was the errand that took her to Stoncficld!'
 He regarded Miss Penroy kccnly as he put the question.
 A little affair of our own"
 (Which does not concern me, eh?" TO tortcd the Captain, with low laugh.
 Grace passed into the house without speaking again. The Captain muttercd something not exactly polite under his breath, and then turned away. It was now almost dark. As Captain Starbright ap preached the gate stout form rose up and confronted him. "Ha! it is one of the twins" ejaculated She Captain, feeling annoyed at the sudden appearance of one he cared not to see. "It's me, fur fact" grunted the man in surly tone. "I reckoned you'd be over lfore this, Cap'n. l got impatient, as did maw and Bill, so here I be-" "What brings you here" demanded the Captain, leaning against the fence, regard ing the man with 0 frown.
 "What do ye s'poses thought you might guess. Hain't seen the gal" "Ha! then 1t is your hand that has been in this work. feared so.'' "You wanted it done" "True''
 Bending forward, Captain Starbright whispered huskily: "Go down the road into the hollow. We must not be seen together. I will join you immediately" | The man hesitated a moment, then turneC and shuffled swiftly away.