Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-02-23

the stairs to the door of the siclS-room. She
quickly fitted the key and unlocked the door.
Lucy was snoring in her chair, and Grace,
with wide open, restless eyes, lay quietly in
her place.
"Oh, Lura, cousin, L am So glad you have
come. Somebody has twice tried the door
during the night, and-and haven't been
able TO sleep. You won't leave me again,
dear, will you!''
"No, Oracle. You can count on me from
this tin - on. INVENT to town to consult
doctor with regard to your case"
"You are very kind, and am so selfish"
murmured the sick girl, and then she began
10 cry.
"Nonsense, Grace, am the one that is
selfsh,'' soothed Lura, kissing her cousin
tenderly.
And then came a light rap on the door.
1t proved to be Captain Starbright to in
quire after the sick girl.
1.-THE miserable hypocrite," thought Lura
after he had gone. She remembered the
discovery she had made that night, and she
could only regard the Captain with feelin gs
of the utmost loathing.
DR.. Cotton had sent medicine by Lura to
be given at stated intervals, for the purpose
of counteracting the poison that Grace
had been swallowing during the past three
| weeks, and had promised to come over him
self within n short time and personally take
charge OF the case.
OF course it was impossible for Lura
Joyce to be always with her patient, but
/ usually she contrived TO leave the black
| maid in the room when she was absent, if
| only for few minutes.
Grace felt decidedly better in twenty-four
| hours after beginning the new treatment
| prescribed by Dr. Cotton. OF course Cap
| tain Starbright realized that Lura had as
| sumed to doctor Grace, but he did not
7 81. 1.,l
| had become inpatient and uneasy, howev-
err, and was anxious to have the tragedy
| come to u speedy termination.
A drop of Mother Cabera'S cough drops
will do it. l will risk it, and put this I'M
| certainty at rest forever" reasoned the
scheming Captain.
Oneafternoon, while Lucy sat in the room
! alone with Grace, Captain Starbright put
| his head into the room, and said:
Lucy, your mistress is feeling bad-and
wants you to come to her at once.'
| "Missus Lura?'
| Mrs. Penroy."
| Decd, maSsa-"
Go ut once" ordered the Captain, and
as the maid stood in deadly terror of him
when he was angry, she forgot her promise
| to Lura Joyce and left the ROOM
Captain Starbright stood alone
| He hurricdly closed and locked the door,
then walked over and glanced at Grace,
who, he was glad to note, lay in semi-un-
| conscious doZc.
| cat last! - he muttcrcd
Then he turned hurrledly to the little
stand which contained glass half filled
| with water and some walls.
He lifted the glass, glanced at it an in
slant, then drew from his pocket small
| glass-stoppered vial and poured few drops
| into the glass of water.
THAT will do the work at once and leave
no trace. Twas fool not to have resorted
to the swift method BEFORE
Sccreting the vial, he bent over the bed
'Grace, just a sip of this, please"
With one hand he lifted the girls head,
and passed forward the glass with the
| other.
"What is it," questioned the sick girl
wcarily, not fully comprehending.
"A little cordial that Lura prepared
Grace opened her lips to partake.
"Stop, Grace, for your life! There's death
In the glass;" uttered a voice, husky with
intense excitement.