Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-02-14
stomach and doubled hin. up like jack.

stairs announced the fact that Don Benlto had made his escape from the building
 After him. r' gasped the painting officer.
 ''No use," said Fingal, ''the old chap is nor myself will attempt to run, but we de- mand to know why we have thus been molested."
 ''Search them, Markus."
 Our two friends submitted to a search under protest. Nothing was found of suspicious nature. After this the two off | cers went through the room with no better success.
 "Confound it, there must be a mistake after all" muttered the man who seemed to be in authority.
 "What did you expect to 1indr" questioned Austin.
 "Gambler's tools."
 "You suspected this to be q den of that l sort2"
 "Yes."
 Fingal and his companion laughed.
 'Mr. Wentword and myself are respect able persons, as we can prove. You have made grand mistake" Then the policeman began offering an apology. Wentword assured hlm it was not necessary.
 I'm sore from that old fellows head. Who was hel'' growled the police spokes- man, with grimace.
 "Don Benito."
 A half-crazcd fellow" explained Fingal. "I met him a few days since. He seems to be harmless, usually. l suppose he imag ined you were about to imprison him. He seems to have a dread of such fate. think likely he has escaped from some asylum"
 "Then he ought to be looked after" "Perhaps; although I regard hlm as a harmless lunatic."
 ~ don't then," asserted the officer, still grimacing. "Tl lock him up if can lay hands on him.
 Again offering apologies the officers with drew.
 "Now what?" queried Wentword. Fngal closed the door, turned the key once more and then sat down.
 "That was an unlucky interruption Austin"
 Ut would bs foolish to deny it," admit ted tn young mechanic.
 "I am convinced that Don Bcnito is no ordinary person. His hatred of Captain Starbright convlnces me that the Captaln has injured the old man at some date in the past"
 " It may be so''
 "Where could he have obtained that wilil l am puzzled about that"
 Do you imagine that it was genuine2"
 " 1 am not prepared to say. But for that interruption I should have soon learned more about it."
 "PerAaps we can find the old man in the morning."
 "Yes, that will be easy enough, provid- ing he doesn't fall into the clutches of the law," answered Fingal. "I must see that will, and Uou must see Grace. It will never do for you to permit the willy Captain to poison her mind against you. happen to know that you still have fast hold upon her heart"
 "I wish I had such assurance" said Wentword, moodily. "Money is bar to my success. She is an hciresS, while am but poor mechanic" "
 "Nonsense. I've no patience with you, Austin Wentword," uttered Fingal, shortly. Faint heart never won wife. Go in to win and thwart this Captain Starbright. I tell you the battle is to the vigilant and brave. Would you see Grace fall victim to a wicked fortune -hunter!"
 "Never-'
 "Then visit her at once. Be man ana stumble at nothing. I will help you to win.'
 "YouW
 "Certainly' Tho young hunters small, brown hand went out, and there in the dim light the two clasped palms in token of mutual regard.
 "Captan Clinton Starbrght has planned to win the Vandible millions, and he has planned well, stopping at nothing, not even human life, to gain a point. He has made one mismove, however, and if you will ] work with me believe we shall thwart the scoundrel in the end.'
 The speakers face was aglow with feel 1 ing, and Austin Wentword was glad indeed ! to have such brave youth for his friend.
 On their first meeting he had saved him | from staining his hands with blood; surely, | such friend was worth the possessing.
 "I am with you, Louis Fingal, to the bit ter end in this battle for the right"
 Thus was the alliance sealed.
 
 
 the trees and sighed mournfully about the walls of Lone Hollow.
 Nearly a month had passed since the ! death of Morgan Vandible, and the poign- l ancy. of Grace Penroy's grief was dulled, l yet she had not regained her old, sweet | smile, nor the healthy, happy glow of cheek | and eye.
 No settlement of the millionaire's estate |, had yet been made. It would require a long process of law to do so, the Captain l had assured her, and Grace did not feel | like troubling herself about such matters 1 at present.
 The Captain was permanently located at | LoneHollow now, and vibrated constantly be- 1 tween the old mansion and Stonefield. There l was a troubled look on his brow that did not | escape the notice of Grace Penroy. No news from Lura Joyce.
 It was this that troubled Grace moro | than aught else-the uuce ertain fate of her | brave cousin. The heiress stood before the long glass l combing out her long yellow locks, as she had done on former occasion, when pair | of mischievous, loving eyes were near, watching and admiring. Grace was think | ing of Lura just now, and wondering if the l mystery of her disappearance would never | be solved. The face reflected in the glass was pale | and thin, not the one that looked out at her | Q few weeks before. A slight sound fell on the girls ear, the l creaking of the door. Grace needed it not, | however, deeming it but the act of gust Of | air along the hall. 'Gracer' The girl before the glass started at tho | sound of a voice pronouncing her name | There was familiar ring in the voice that l carried her back to other days.