Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-02-10

'I do not wonder that so many men arc in love with you, Gr%ce,' said Lura at length, after full a minute given to silent admira- tion tIf 1 was half as beautiful should feel proud as Lucifer, and"
 'Lura. please don't"
 ''It's not bit of flattery that I am giving you, young lady. You are the most beauti- full human creature I ever beheld, and say again it's no wonder the men love you so and are ready to cut one another's throats through their infatuation. There's the gallant Captain, and handsome Austin Wentword, and"
 "Lura, will you cease!'
 Grace turned now and faced her cousin, a pained expression on her white face and lurking in her honest gray eyes.
 "Don't you like to hear the truth? Are facts so repugnant to you that you feel hurt at their utterance, pretty cousin!"
 You do not understand, Lura," said Grace, in a low tone, slightly tremulous with feeling "Nono Of the gentlemen named are aught to me- "Not one?"
 Lura Joyce seemed surprised. That is the truth, Lura. I beg you to | say nothing about any of these fortune , hunters"
 "Ah, there's the rubr' exclaimed Miss Joyce, with a merry laugh. II understand the situation exactly. Hou don't encour age one of these fellows for fear he is look ing only after your fortune. I've no doubt your fears are not ill founded. I have been at Lone Hollow but a fortnight, yet in that comparatively short space of time have made q discovery Lura Joyce threw herself into a rocker and clasped her hands over one of the arms, pcerIng up from under sandy brows l at her cousin. As Grace made no remark Lura went on . D,,N7 1,,,, ,t.,,. nt { least, cousin mlnc, the handsome, heartless ! Captain Starbright Have you ever thought of his attentions seriously, Grace!" " Never"
 That is good," ejaculated Lura, with l evident satisfaction. "Captain Starbright l is a fortune hunter in every sense of the | term, and as heartless as dcmOn Have 1 met him bcforc9 thought you knew that | he once pleaded with me on pended knees ] to marry him. It's a fact all the same, and ! you know it now. He was after my fortune, winch proved q myth, and so the gallant l Captain ran away from that part of the country to seek out the granddaughter ot | old Morgan Nandiblc, and if possible win a fortune and wife at ono and the same time | He has not yet succeeded and never will, il you are wise, Grace" II shall be wise enough not to wed one do not love-" answered the hercss, simply
 ' SNA>A to that text"
 ''You i'm " be sure that wiI''
 " Now tell mo, is there one that you dc love, Graccl"
 The girl at tho glass busicd herself witt her toilet without seeming to notice this 1 question. It was repeated, with still nc answer.
 Then Lura Joyce came to her feet, and crossing the carpet, peered into the face o her cousin. She was not wholly surprised 10 find the honest gray eyes brimmng witt i tears.
 4 smilo fitted over the countenauce ot Lura. Was it possible that she rcjoiccd 1T tho trouble that was growing in the hear of her cousin!
 "Sec here, Graric, is it this that you arc feeling bad about!"
 Lura laid a gold ring on the dresser il front of her cousin.
 Il found it III the grass yesterday. imagined that you might have dropped it am sure that saw it on your finger a few days sincC.'
 It was her ring indeed, the one she haC
 given back to Austin Wentword but few days sincc-her engagement ring Doubt
 less ho had flung it away that day whel
 they had Quarrcled. Tho sight of it onl,
 the more emb, her feelings. Grac
 did not offer to touch it, but continued he
 occupation with increased nervousness.
 Ut IS not my ring" asserted Grace, try
 ing to speak firmly, iudlffercntly. Are you SurC!"
 Tho smile deopcncd on the face of Lura. "Hcs, am sure" Now, how could I have been so deceived Twas sure that I saw this ring on you
 finger not week since" 1t was mine then, but" Just read this, Grace. think you hay made yourself miserable for nothing"
 Lura thrust a letter into the hand of he cousin and then stole from the room. Wha ] a thrill shot over GraceS being as she rec
 ognizcd the wcll-lnown chlrography C
 Austin Wentworth , Sinking to chair, she tore open the le . . ter with nervous fingers, and read ' "DEAR GRACE: I am ashamed of the ten . l per exhibited at our last meeting. bt . 1 lieve I was wholly in the wrong. and if yo , can forgive me and take mo back into you affections you will never have cause to rt | gret it. I will never distrust you agai Il whatever may happen. A word or a lin from you, in token of forgiveness, by th bearer of ths will be eagerly looked for.
 ''AUsTIN."
 Grace pressed the note to her lips, whi tears flowed freely. She breathcd easie E then, and q happy smile touched her fac
 as she came to her feet, after concealin u the precious letter.
 A few minutes later Lura came in an . stood regarding her cousin with a smilin:
 half-qucstioning look on her face. Sh
 seemed to realize at once that Grace was . a more pleasant mood, and this was suff + cient assurance that the young mechanic - letter had been welcome. :, "Shall I carry the answer to-da.
 Gracie!"
 e Miss Penroy turned with beaming fac
 toward her cousin. "You did not bring this from StoncficlC
 Lurar'
 "Certainly. Why not! I would deligl to carry your answer today, for, to tell tt 7, truth, the foolish boy is about distracte S over the thought of losing you-and a for u une."
 "Lura Joycer' o "Well, didn't you say they were all for
 une-hunters, Miss Penroys Don't look