Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-02-10
CHAPTER VII. DISTURBED HEARTS.

This Captain Starbright seems to hang about here continually, Grace! Can you explain it!"
 The speaker was bronzed-looking young man of three and twenty, with honest brown eyes and weu-knlt frame. He was standing under tree with his back against the trunk, while Grace Penroy reclined on the grass, with book open in her lap, from which she had lately been reading
 There was a frown on the young mans face, as though he was deeply displcased at something.
 "Captain Starbright is grandpa's guest" explained the girl "He seems to like the Captain, and insists on his remaining here"
 "And this is tho only reason for his soiourn at Lone Hollow9" demanded the young man, in tone that was displeasing to Grace. A swift bit of red shooting into hor check Jld how see was moved.
 "He may have other reasons"
 "You know he has, Grace Pcnroy," cried the man, in a voice harsh with aroused feel ing. II have heard all about it, that it is settled that you and the Captain arc to marry. The story is in everybody's mouth. demand to know what foundation there is in such stories"
 "None whatever"
 Grace Pcnroy came to her feet and faced her lover, with flushed checks and flashing eyes. He saw how she was moved, and the demon jealousy had full possession of him at that moment, binding him to reason and justice.
 "Gracc Pcnroy, I do not believe you," he uttered in the mastcrful rage and grief that whclmcd him at that moment. II have TO- | ports that can rely on that prove all and more than the gos5ips tell. did not think l you would so abuse the trust of an honest heart. But it is gold! gold! nothing but l goldl \ female heart is tuned to no other l key"
 He was interrupted in his impassioned | outbreak by gesture from Grace, whose checks had lost their color now, and were | pallid with the hurt his cruel words had | given her heart.
 | Ut is wonderful, sir, how much you | know of woman's nature," she said, in a low voice, husky and tremulous with feel ing. "You distrust me, Austin Went word, and, knowing this, it would bring only misery to link my fate with yours. accept what you evidently wish, freedom | from our engagement"
 Then she tore plaln gold circlet from her finger and held it toward him.
 "Grace, do you mean thisr
 He uttered the words in a sort of astound. ment. Evidently he had not intended that their quarrel should lead to such 0 length.
 "Distrust would kill mo. mean it, sir. After to day you need not come again."
 He accepted the ring and was silent. She turned, forgetting her book that lay on the ground, and was hastening away when his voice held her steps.
 Miss Penroy, you have forgotten some thing"
 When she faced him again he was holding the book toward her He then advanced and placed it in her hand.
 "Thanks, Mir Weutword." , Then she continued her course toward the house, not many rods distant, the young mechanic watching her rctreating form with mingled feelings of anger and sorrow Scarcely had she disappeared when another stepped upon the scene in the person o1 Captain Starbright.
 Unaware of the quarrel although he haC been viewing the two from a distance fol some time, the Captain knew not how inop l perfume was his coming. Wentword wa: not in a mood for sensible, qu ct converse and the sight of Captain Starbright, whom he viewed as his successful rival, reused al the evil in the young fellows nature. Wha occurred would not have happened had my hero been of that saintly pattern made tC order by some of the novel writers of tht day.
 Austin Wentword was human, and per haps had his full share of faults he cer tainly was not a saint, and, at the presen time, his passions were reused to a higl pitch.
 "Ah, whom have we herel" sneercd Cap tain Starbright, in 0 lofty and insolent way that was not calculated to soothe the wound ed feelings of the Stonefeld mechanic. Austin grasped the Captains collar ant said, fercely:
 3 "A man who can fog a score of sucl pusillanimous sneaks as you are. You cal [ yourself Captain, Captain of what should like to knowl If you were ever il the army, it must have been as Q private il the rear rank of the home guard or broom . brigade.
 "Unhand me!s ordered the Captain, al lowing his hand to seek his hip beneath th'