Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1891-02-21
CHAPTER XVII.
MISS JoYCE'S MISFORTUNE.

quiet and no attempt at exertion, until she
was fully recovered, since a reaction might
set in.
The probate court granted stay of some
weeks regarding the will of the late MIR.
Vandible, on account of the illness of i'm
portant witnesses. Lura Joyce had sue
ceeded in gaining this concession from the
court in spite of the covert opposition OF
Captain Starbrlght and his attorney.
1.-THE will is fraud, and can be proved
so if YOU will wait until the young Miss
Penrov and her mother are able to appear"
declared Lura, and so once again was the
scheming Captain thwarted.
He understood to whom he owed his non
success, and the bitter feeling IN his heart
for the brave young girl deepened into
absolute hatred.
Miss Joyce often visited Stonetield in
the interest of the young mechanic, who
lay in the county Jail waiting the outcome
of Grace Penroy's injury.
1t was an outrage not to permit bail, Lura
Joyce declared, and the young man in
nocent, too. The Captain and his attorney,
however, managed to have the bail fixed ut
such a high figure that none of Austin
Wentword's friends could aid him, and so
the mechanic, wholly innocent as the reader
knows, langushed in Jail. The testimony
of Captain Starbright before the justice in
whose court Wentword had his exami-
and as the Captain was prominent citizen
there could be no doubling his oath.
Lura Joyce fretted at this not little,
but, finding that nothing could be done to
rescue the young man from prison until
freed by due process of law, she gave up
the case and turned her thoughts and eff
forts in another channel.
Mrs. Penroy was soon able to attend upon
the wants of her daughter, thus leaving
Lura Joyce more time to herself.
al believe Captain Starbright is at the
bottom of all this iniquity," declared Lura
one day to Grace. "You, of course, know
that Austin Wentword is innocent Of an at
tempt on your life'
Certainly" assured Grace. "Hc and I
were standing together when the shot was
fired by some one in ambush"
"We!l, you shall testify to this in good
time. have a surprise in store for Gin
ton Starbright that will take him down
peg when he comes to chew on it; and, mind
you, Grace, the villain shall begin the mas
tication before he is many days older"
81 am not sure but what you wrong the
Captain" said poor little Grace, with a
faint, sad smile. "He has been very kind
to me during my illness"
"Kind! All put on, my dear, every bit OF
it," declared Lura, quickly.
To this the invalid made no reply.
AS she sat supported by pillows in
great armchair she presented pretty
picture, that even her more boisterous
cousin could not tail to admire.
"You will soon be strong again, dear"
| said Lura. sit seems incredible that such
| on accident should come to one so good as
you are, Grace. Sometimes think that it
| lCds an accident. You see, am sentimental,
| like other girls, once in awhile"
Then Lura gave vent to q sharp little
laugh and sprang to her feet, gliding
| swiftly from the room.
On her way to Stone6eld that very day
ON the stage the horses became frightened
and ran, the stage was overturned, and
| several of the passengers injured, among
them Lura Joyce.
| "Confound the luclS!" exclaimed the girl,
| when she found her ankle sprained so
severely rs to prevent her bearing her
weight on it. "rll never ride in that stuffy
old coach again. This serves me right for
| not going on my own conveyance-theb back
of Romeo"
The driver secured farmers wagon, in
| which he conveyed his passengers to the
city. Miss Joyce found shelter at tho
house of a friend, where, to her chagrln,
she was compelled to remain for several
days on account of her injuries.
While here she was visited by grave
looking gentleman of thirty, whose sober
face and quiet manners were in direct con-
trast to the bubbling exuberance of Miss
Joyce. This gentleman was DR.. Cotton,
really the most learned and gifted physician
in the city. That he was a friend of Lura
Joyce was proved from the cordial nature of
their meeting
"How is your patient, DR.. Colton?"
This was about the first words after a
good hearty hand-shake. Lura, with one
foot swathcd resting on a hassock, reclin-
ing calmly in o huge rocker, was an inter
esting picture. The grave, dark eyes of the
young doctor evinced their admiration by
the earnestness of their gaze.
. my patient is fast gaining, and will soon
be sound as dollar-my old patient, but as
to my young one that remains to be SEEM
/ and Lura actually blushed under the affec
tomato earncstness of his gaze.
$50 you heard of my little tumbler" she
retorted, quickly. 81 had no idea that
should require the services Of physician
"That remains to be seen"
He then bent over the swollen limb anG
with deft fingers removed the wrappings
He assumed the PHYSICIANS liberty, ant
Lura Joyce was by no means prude enough
to affect any false modesty under the cir
cumstances. She was anxious to be on hel
feet again, and had full confidence in thu
\ ability of DR.. Arthur Cotton, who would
have been called to visit Grace Penroy haC
she the ordering of physician at the out
set.
| AIter DrleI exalulndIlOn no reSaruS'
her gravely, and said:
az find fracture here that will necessi
tate the utmost quiet for at least fort
hight"
"But positively can not remain idl
that length of time" declared the girl, ii
quick agitation. az must return to Lon
Hollow by to-mol row, at furthest."
"That would be out of the question. Yo1
are under my care now, Lura, and mus
obey orders"
Something like smile touched his face
Lura realized that he was in earnest, how
ever, and she groaned inwardly at the pros
pect. What might not happen during he
| absence from Lone Hollowl
t There seemed to be no help for it, how
ever, and poor Lura resigned herself to
fortnight's imprisonment with the bes
| grace possible. She had no thought Q
. disputing the wisdom Of DIR. Colton's dag
| nnsis To Lura his word, Of all men in th