Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-02-14

seemed to have been fashioned by the hand of man. Inquiring of the old man, he as sured me that his name was Don Benito, once a subject of the Doge of Venice, but now an exile, and that the cave had been eXcavated by men many years before for a hiding place from the wrath of the Doge Of course, I knew that this was but the wild talk of a madman, in whose power I mad fallen after escaping from death at the hands of tramps, as then supposed my late assailants to be.
 Of course felt uneasy, and was anX- ious to make my escape, but this I could not do, since Don Benito kept a close watch upon my movements. In my opinion the cave was excavated by horse-thieves or counterfeiters; and am of the opinion that the present dweller may have been at one time member of the band. made no such suggestion to him, however. He was constantly harping about his wrongs, and assuring me that the Doge had attempted to murder him with his own hand. To prove his assertion he showed me scar over his right ear, where the as assin's blow had been delivered.
 "Of course humored his hallucination, and so we got on swimmingly together Of course he left the cave occasionally, and went in quest of provisions for his larder On these occasions he locked me in a room opening from the main cave, the door of which was made of heavy oak I presume 1t had been used as the prison-room of the outlaws who once inhabited the place.
 It was not until very recently that persuaded my keeper to permit me to &C., company him on a visit to Stonefield, made Tn the night and on foot. It was then that l gave him the slip and managed to keep safely out of his clutches. I have met Austin Wentword since, and learned from hIT hot VlNH, him for a long time He considers the old fellow harmless, but decidedly a lunatic"
 It was a strange story indeed that Lura Joyce told Grace Penroy, under the glow of the swinging lamp in the privacy of her own room. It did seem much like fairy tale, and yet the presence of Lura was IG'oof that she had escaped death It must be true; in fact, Grace never thought to doubt for one moment.
 "lt Is a strange story" breathed Grace, at length. Ut seems like a dream to me, and 1 can not be too thankful to have you back, alive and well'
 ITO you am alive and well, to others I must yet be as one dead,' said Lura, in a low, guarded tone, as though she feared the walls might have suddenly acquired the gift of hearing.
 "Why is that!'
 "That I may the better frustrate his wicked schemes"
 "To whom do you refer?'
 ''Surely you can guess.'
 l can not.n
 Lura regarded her friend Tn apparent as- tonishmcnt
 ''Is it possible that you do not yet under- stand the true character of Clinton Star bright:''
 'I understand him perfectly" answered Grace. He has been very kind to mo since grandpa dlcd, and has taken all the responsibility off my hands of looking after affairs about Lone Hollow''
 And he will gladly assume control of the million or more your poor grand father left" returned Lura, grimIy. "That is what he is after. Don't trust him, Grace. He is serpent, two-sided and treacherous. l beg you to beware of that man, who is evil from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. You will beware of him, tell mo you lCHl?"
 For once Lura Joyce seemed in deadly earnest, and there was an intense pleading in voice and mien as she bent toward her cousin.
 1T do not fear him, but regard the Cap tain as fricnd," returned Grace. :Yet to please you, I will be ever on my guard''
 "Thanks. Do not mention the fact of your seeing me to living soul Keep my secret until bid you speak, and you will never TO- gret it. Promise me this. Grace"
 II promise certainly"
 Then Lura sprang up, embraced and kissed her cousin, and turned toward the door.
 II must go now, dea rest, but we shall meet again ere long. Good-night.'
 Quickly turning the key Lura opened the door and glided from the room. Swiftly she passed down the stairs and thence out into the night.
 Barely had she gained the gate on the road when she felt a touch on her shoulder. The moon just then disclosed it's face.
 "Ha! l thought so, Lura Joyce! Not dead, but you shall dIe in another minute'
 A pair of digits, cruel as death, closed about the throat of Lura, and she felt her self sinking, faintlng, dying, to the ground