Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-02-10

rage
 "Thdt is how I will unhand you," cried the angry mechanic, at the same time deal ing the Captain sharp blow on the cheek with the flat of hiS hand. "Go tell Miss Penroy that send her a cowardly cur for helpmeet. Maybe she'll salve your hurts with her tears"
 At this moment a bright object gleamed in the face of Austin Wentword. Then came a flash and sharp report A deadly bullet grazed the cheek of the mechanic. On the instant the two men closed Tn desperate struggle for the mastery. 1twas a struggle that might end only in the death of one of the twain. It was lucky for troubled Grace Penroy that she did not see the conflict.
 Wentword seized the Captains wrist and attempted to wrest the revolver from his grasp. Feeling that to lose the weapon meant doom to himself, Captain Starbright chung to it with the tenaclty of desperation. And thus the two men went to the ground.
 Over and over they rolled in the grass. Captain Starbright felt his grip on his revolv- | CT weakening. It was torn from his grasp, and then a terrible weakness swept his | being.
 "Mercyr' he gasped, as he felt the knee | of his antagonist against his breast and saw the cooked and gleamlng weapon in the hand of his maddened rival. l Mercy to SOCn as yOu-ncccF l Then Austin Wcntword thrust his wcap 1 on in the face of his enemy and was on tho point of pressing the trigger when a hand | touched hls shoulder.
 'No, Mir. Wentword; murder must not stain your hands" The words, uttered Tn n low tone, held the hand of the would be slayer Atterward | the young mechanic could not feel too grate'
 full for the interruption that saved him from | the brand of Cain. The young mechanic came to his feet to
 find himself confronted by slender youth
 who held rifle across the hollow of his
 arm. The reader has met this character
 bcfore-Louis Fiugal.
 "Who are you! Why do you intcrfere"
 demanded Wentword, in an angry tone,
 glaring menacingly at the new conner.
 "To save bloodshed and your soul from
 perdition,' answered the youth, quickly.
 Captain Starbright was now on his feet,
 regarding tho person who had saved his life
 with grateful curiosity.
 "It strikes me we have met beforc,'' ut
 tered the Captain.
 "Oncc, believe"
 "I can not, however, call to mind the
 time"
 "No. A few days since; just at the foot of
 Lone Hollow"
 The memory of the time and the note of
 warning flashed swiftly into the brain of
 Captaln StarDflSnt. 1tc was naturally pug
 Zled. Before he could question the young
 hunter further Austin Wcntword raised
 the captured revolver, fired it in the ar till
 every chamber was empty, then flung the
 weapon at the feet of his rival.
 "There is your revolver, Mir. Starbrght,"
 growled the young mechanic "I will meet
 you at another tune when no friend Is near to take your part"
 Then Wcntword turned and hurried swift ly away.
 "I will meet you, hotspur,' snccred the
 Captain, angrily. He snatched his revolver
 from the ground and moved as if to follow his enemy. Tho hand of Fingal detained
 him, however. ! ''This is madness" declared the young hunter. "To quarrel thus on account of a girl Must the softer sex always bring woe! gave you credit for better sense,
 Captain Starbright."
 But thatyoung mudslll assaulted me like coward" He made the first assault" "He did" ) cover Miss Penroy!" "He has prctended to have some clam. on 3 her-''
 "And you mako the same pretcntion, .
 Fingal interrupted, with peculiar twinkle l of the eye. , Ut seems to be a foolish quarrel at best You will do well to take my advice and give up thoughts or winning tho glrl. l And leave her to that mudsill-never!
 cried the Captain, still hot and foolish from e his recent encounter. II have sworn tt | make Grace Penroy my wife, and no greasy '- mechanic shall stand in the way" q "Pcrhaps not, but there may be gentle man who will win the prize in spite of yor t both"
 | "How is that!' r "I believe that Miss Penroy has become l kt. I,otb Austin Wcntword, in which case am jus conceited enough to imagine that stand Q the best show," and young Fingal smoto d his breast with his clenched hand, anC
 strengthened his form until he looked tho u picture of young Prince of the blood u !, Captain Starbright regarded the youth il l. astonishment He seemed to realize fol v the first time that Louis Fingal was dan 5 gerously handsome. l "In faith, youngster, I should hate to be Il lieve that one so tender had entered tn
 lists against me-" retorted the Captain forcing laugh.
 "You may find me tougher than yo, imagine" declared Fingal, solemnly. l. You handed me note few days since " on the occasion of our first meeting. Wa
 it of your compositonF l. The Captain regarded Fingal keenly as h.
 put the question. His gaze had not the et le feet intended. The young hunter was no le the least discon certed. Is II shall make no denials, august Captain,
 answered Fingal stroking his mustach G. with grave look.
 Il am then to understand that you meal g to interfere with my plans!" I'd "Understand any thing you please, m
 dear Captain
 "Confound you!" muttered Starbrigh 10 angered at the cool impudence of the youn g hunter. II warn you to keep away froI m this vicinity and leave me to myself, or yo V. may rue your impertinence in the time t 9r come. You undcrstand!" ot 'Certainly."
 "And you will heed the warningr' lo "Certainly." or II am glad to find you sensible" D. Always that, Captain Starbright," as IS sured the young hunter. "Fair means yo