The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1889-03-15

CHAPTER K
CONSERVATION AT LONE HOLLOW.
Grace Penroy waited anxlously the return
of her messenger to Stonefield. The night
passed without her coming, ard Grace rose
early. little rested, SO anxious was she to be
once more on good terms with her lover.
No alarm was felt until late in the fore
noon, when Grace noticed Romeo standing
in the road near the stables whinnying to be
admitted.
Captain Starbright came sauntering up
the walk. He managed to pass most Of his
time i'm or about Lone Hollow, but since the
coming of Lura Joyce he had made no adj
vances in his suit for the hand of Grace; in
consequence the heiress was learning to re-
gard him with considerable less aversion
than formerly.
"Isn't that Romeo down yonder, Captain"
questioned Grace, who stood on the yeranda
as the Captain came up.
SIT looks like Mad Lura's horse, surely"
returned Captain Starbright, as he glanced
toward the road. 81 wonder where his mis-
tress is?"
"She went to Stonefeld yesterday"
"And rode Romeor'
ayes"
Captain Starbright turned on his heel and
hurried at once to the stable. If he expect
ed to meet Lura Joyce he was mistaken.
Romeo stood by the road gate whinneying
to be admitted. The Captain led the horse
to his stall. He noticed that the horse was
saddled land he wondered at the non-appear-
ance of the animals mistress.
"You did not see Luraf
Grace Penroy's face was white as she put
the question to the Captain on his return.
al did not"
He twisted his cane and looked thought
full and perhaps trifie uneasy.
1.-THE horse was saddleda"
"Yes"
"Then something has happened to Lura,"
cried Grace, in distracted voice.
Don't borrow trouble"
"But Romeo is vicious, and I have al
ways feared that he would be the death Of
Lura. l am sure something terrible has
happened" persisted Grace. go at once,
Captain Starbright, and look for her. Sum-
mon the servants and move quickly. Ii any
thing has happened l shall never forgive
myself" and Grace wrung her hands and
looked distressed indeed.
A vague suspicion entered the mind of
Captain Starbright as he turned away to
obey the orders of the mistress of Lone
Hollow.
If something has happened, it will be a
glad day for me-" unused the Captain. a
faint smile lifting the wings of his tawny
mustache.
He FASTENED to the stable, saddled one of
his grays and was soon galloping swiftly
away in the direction of Stonefield.
No one had met or seen the girl, and when
the Captain returned to Lone Hollow late in
the day he brought no news of the missing
girl.
The servants secured the vicinity without
success. Old Mr. Vandlble was worked up
to fever heat, while his granddaughter was
nearly crushed with grief.
al know something terrible has hap
pened," declared poor Grace, again and
again.
'Confound it, what business had Lura
to go away. I'd like to knowl think a girl
of her age ought to know something. The
idea of riding vicious horse unaccompanied
over that lonely road, with tramps and
wild animals thick as fieas on a.dog, is pre-
sumptuous, yes, presumptuous, say"
Then the old man would bring his cane
down with tremendous thump that would
make things jingle.
''Grandpa, DON'T" pleaded Grace. ''It
was all my fault. sent Cousin Lura."
"You sent her? For what, I'd like to
know The idea-yes, the ideal say, ola
girl trapesmg off just at night after knick-
knacks not worth sixpence. If the girls
dead, her neck broke frt m her folly and
yours, Grace Penroy, reckon the lesson IL
be a mighty useful one for both of you; yes,
for both of you hity-tity girls, Isay."
Then the old man stamped up and down
the porch, humping his cane after every
other word in a way that, on another occa-
sion, would have been laughable in the ex-
IRENE.
The shades of night came with 40 news
of the missing Lura. Captain Starbright
felt like congratulating himself. If sn &C
cident had happened it would prove a
lucky circumstance for him
BE had been only too anxious 10 have the
determined Miss Iovce out of his path, that
he might have n object in the way of the
full accomplishment of his schemes. He
hoped that she had really met with an acci-
dent that would prevent further interfer-
ence on her part.
"Oh, Captain, what shall, what can we
do?" moaned Grace, appealing to Captain
Starbright in a way that almost touched his
hardened heart.
I'VE can only hope for the best" he re-
turned.
"Do you think we have any reason to
hope2"
He saw that she was anxious for him to
speak words of cheer, and so he would not
disappoint her, for the Captain was ex-
tremely anxious TO gain the good will of the
heiress who had once snubbed him for his
hasty familiarity.
Il think we have good ground for hope,
Grace he said in reassuring tone.
Really. l haven't the least idea that any
thing serious has befallen your cousin. l
have known the young lady for some time
and can assure you that, though reckless
and high-strung, she is abundantly able to
take care of herself"
Then how do you account for her not re-
turning holne!"
Il do not pretend to account for it, he
answered "What was the errand that
took her to Stonefeld.'
put the question.
"a little affair of our own"
(which does not concern me, ehs" re-
torted the Captain, with a low laugh.
Grace passed into the house without
speaking again. The Captain muttered
something not exactly polite under his
predlu, anu iucu turueu away. IL was 10"
almost dark. As Captain Starbright APP
preached the gate stout form rose up and
confronted him
HAT 1t is one of the twins" CALCULATED
the Captain, feeling annoyed at the sudden
appearance of one he cared not to see
ats me, fur fact" grunted the man in
a surIy tone. & recl1oned you'd be over
afore this, Cap'n. 1 got impatient, as did
nav and Bill so here 1 ben
what brings you here?" demanded the
Captain, leaning against the fence, regard
ing the man with frown