Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-05-30
LONE HOLLOW;
o., The Pefil Of the Psnfvys.
A Thrilling and Romantic Story
OF Love and Adventure

A Thrilling and Romantic Story
OF Love and Adventure.
81 JAMES NJ MERRILL. AUTHOR or .Boeus
BILL "FIsHER JOE" AID
OTHER STORIES
rcepyvtgAt, 1855. BY The A. N Ksuogg Nssss-
paper CoDpony.1
CHAPTER XXI
RErRIBUTIoN.
ssDon't put yourself out, DOCTOR" said the
Captain, with an assumption of GOODNESS he
did not feel. 81 care nothing for this yarn
Of yours, and can not wait to hear it.''
He came to his feet.
'Sit down. ordered Lura, emphasizing
the order by covering him with her cooked
revolver. He sank back into his chair with
muttered imprecation against the 'tiger
cat"
SIT was in California about two years
ago that my first scene opens," proceeded
the doctor. 1.-TWO men among the gold
hills of that State became bosom friends
Lawrence Brandon and Karl Vandible.
They first met In San Francisco and went
to the mountains together. Karl Vandible
was an eccentric man past the meridian of
life, one who had seen better days, he as
serted, and Brandon believed him. In time
Vandible made a confdant of his young
friend, Brandon, and told him strange
story of the past
''Karl had been the black sheep in the
family of four boys. Two were dead, and
Karl, the youngest, had drlfted to Cali
fornia in search of adventure even at the
age of ffty-six. He assured Brandon
that it was not really necessary for him to
fight hand to hand with the world, since
he had q brother who was a millionaire in
one Of the States beyond the Mississippi.
That brother,' SAID Karl, always sympa-
thized with me, and defended me against
the assaults of others. was proud. how
ever, and wouldn't accept his bounty. ]
haven't seen Morgan for ten years, but
know he must be very old man now
"Then Karl Vandible took from his
pocket letter which had lately come from
his aged brother beyond the mountains. I
will read a part of il"
The nonchaiant expression on the Cap
tain's face changed to nervous agitation
as DR.. Cotton drew forth a wrinkled en-
velope, stained and frayed at the edges
from apparent rough usage.
"This is nothing to me-" growled the Cap
tain, again attempting to rise.
''Sit downr
Again Starbright looked into the muzzle
of Lura's revolver and subsidized without
more words.
Opening the letter. DIR. Cotton proceeded:
".Come home, Karl. I am intending to
pass the remainder of my days at Lone
Hollow. the old stone house where you once
staid for a day and liked the huntin g so WELL
You shall one day own the place and every
thing that have. In fact, I have made q
will in your favor, leaving everything to
you with the one condition that you allow
my granddaughter, Grace Penroy, an an
nuity of twenty Thousand a year after she
comes Of age. 1 make the stipulation be-
cause love the girl, and she has been most
dutiful and kind to me. You are twenty
years my junior, and will have ample time
to enjoy my wealth after am gone Come,
Karl, am becoming feeble; feeling my
years and infirmities more and more every
day, and I wish to enjoy your company a
little while before pass to the other shore.
If you receive this I am sure You will not
refuse to grant the prayer of your last of
kim
'sThat is the substance of the letter read
to Lawrence Brandon by Karl Vandible, !"
said DR.. Cotton, ''and it was that letter that
influenced Brandon to commit an awful
crime.''
'sWhat is this to mea' demanded Captain
Starbright, CURLY. 81 can not remain -
with seeming malicious satisfaction. And
he did.
s'The reading of that letter set evil
thoughts at work in the brain of Lawrence
Brandon" proceeded the doctor. He
suddenly conceived the idea of winning the
Vandible million for himself. Karl ex-
pressed a determination to return to the
States, and Brandon expressed desire to
accompany him. The two set out from the
mining camp together: but one Of them
reached Observation-Disclosures Brandon.
In the night time he stole up behind his
companion, dealt him murderous blow
from behind, and then, after making sure
of his death, he hurled the body into q
gulch and FASTENED on his way. I will be
brief for time is speeding. Brandon came
to the States and finally ensconced himself
at Lone Hollow. He told of his friendship
for Karl, Morgan's brother, and of how he
had been with him when he died in a lonely
cave on the gold range. Morgan was deep
ly grieved. For Karrs sake he befriended
Brandon, who now bore the assumed name
Of Starbright-'
This is false!'
ssSit down!' commanded Lura, as the
villain attempted to rise. 81 won't speak
again, either. A bullet will be the next
compliment you'll get"
White now, with cold sweat standing out
In great drops, the pseudo Captdin was
obliged to listen to the remainder of the
narrative.
Lawrence Brandon murdered his trust
ing friend and came East for the purpose OF
stealing q fortune. Had his murderous
blow succeeded, all might even now be well
with this villain. Karl Vandible was not
killed, however. He lived and came East,
but the blow had affected his brain and he
as de mented.
ssInstead of coming to Lone Hollow he
hid in q cave, once a counterfelter's resort
in Hangman's Gulch- Sometimes he had
moments Of sanity, but they were of short
duration. He led a hermit life, and watched
to meet Lawrence Brandon. He did meet
him finally, and recognized him. He fired
with the intention OF taking life. Somehow,
Is seems that Brandon. alias Starbright,
lived to concoctf urther schemes of villainy
among them the poisoning of Grace Penroy,
that he might, through a forged will, SEIZE
upon the million left by Morgan Vandible. y
THAT will is not a forgery"
keep quiet" ordered Lura-
81 have come near to the end of my