Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-05-16
HOLLOW:
Or, The Peril Of the PenroyS.
A Thrilling and Romantic Story
OF Love and Adventure.
BIZ JAMES M. MERRILL, AUTHOR OF BOGUS
BILL" FISHER JOE" AND
OTHER STORIES -

BIZ JAMES NJ MERRILL. AUTHOR OF "BoGus
BILL" FISHER JOE" AND
OTHER STORIES. -
(Copuight, 1sss,-oy the a. ~ Kslzo5g Neacs-
paper Compony.1
CHAPTER xxvnL-CoNr1NuEp.
"Why do you throw that out!" questioned
Miss Joyce, innocently enough.
ut needs replenishing," he answered.
81 hope You are to remain with US now;
Grace missed you so much"
81 shall remain, and will relieve you OF
all the care of my cousin" answered Lura.
He went out soon after, leaving the young
girl in flutter Of intense excitement She
harbored a terrible suspicion that she dare
not whisper to the suffering, unsuspecting
Grace. She was terribly anxious to consult
with grave DIR. Cotton but for the time was
incapable of formulating a plan of action.
since she dared not leave Grace alone for
an hour. She believed that the poor girl
had been Systematically poisoned, and that
now the villainous Captain would not hest
tate to finish his work should she give him
the opportunity.
He must suspect me, ''she thought, ''else
he would not have flung away that meoi-
cine. He hopes to cover his tracks, but he
some one who understands chemistry shall
examine it"
OF course that some one could be none
other than DR.. Cotton.
Lura did not leave the room for moment
during the re mamder of the afternoon, and
when at night, after the lamps were lit and
black Lucy came in, she drew the colored
girl outside and questioned her with regard
to Captain Starbr1ght.
He,S 6ona Copo tn Sfopafald mice
" 1t is well. Now, Lucy, know you love
your young mistress, and that you will do
any thing to serve her."
"'Deed 1 does, missus.'
81 am aware of that and want YOU to
make me a solemn promise not to leave this
room, not to permit any one else to enter,
until return. am going away and may
be gone half the night. If Captain Star
bright Is away you're not likely to be dis
turbed, but even if he should come, do rot
permit him to enter. Will you do as wishr'
Good land, missus, hOw's I goin' to help
1t ct de Capn comes an wants to git in?''
uttered the black maid in a tone evincin9
her utter helpaessness
But you must not let him in. Lock the
door. have it. I will lock you in this
room and take the key with me. You will
agree to that, LucyF
Yes, missus."
"Very good"
Then Miss Joyce went over to the side of
Grace and told her that she was going away
Tor a short time, but that she would soon
return.
as this necessarily" sighed the sick girl
"Highly necessary" assured Lura. 81
win be gone but a few hours. It is for your
sake that am going. mean 10 bring you
out OF this in short order.'
AZ fear It is too late"
~ Ramemhar An~ffu Woptuord o~5 -,
brave" said Lura, in a low tone, and then
she kissed the pale cheek Of her cousin and
fastened from the room, locking the door
behind her.
She was soon in the open air Fastening
10 the stables.
She found Romeo, who whinnied at the
approach of his mistress, and hastily fixing
night
Just then she was startled at feeling
hand touch her shoulder.
"Whither now, Miss Joyce?"
It was the voice of Captain Starlight
Lura faced him boldly, though not wi tn
cut misgivings. She had hoped that he was
far away from Lone Hollow at this hour. It
was not pleasant to know that her eve ry
movement was so closely watched. a
81 mean to absent myself for . little
time" answered the girl.
Are you going to Stonefield!'
Perhaps" - ~
son what errandr'A ~
THAT wholly concerns me- rctorted the
daring girl, turning to reach the saddle.
He clutched her arm tightly and held her
10 the ground.
''Not yet, Lura Joyce" he grated, hastily.
II know you hope to ruin me, but shall
not permit you to do it You can not go to
Stoneheld tonight" -~..-.- ..-~- - r <
"Can not.'' y
"I have said it,
Even as the defiant words fell from his
lips he staggered backward, with q cry OF
establishment and pain. The clinched hand
OF Lura dealt him u sharp blow in the face
that caused him to loosen his grip on the
girls arm
Like a flash of electricity Lura bounded
to the saddle and uttered a sharp word to
Romeo, who shot down into the gloomy hol
low like an arrow. A muttered imprecatiou
fell from the lips of the baffled Captain.
CHAPTER xxx.
FOuEDI
1t was late IN the evening when DIR. Col
ton prepared to close up his Office and return
to hs boarding-place several blocks distant
The din and roar of the busy city had ceased
and solemn stiffness reigned save for the
roar of the river as it fell IN white sheet
over the dam at the south end of the town.
Inc doctor had just placed his fingers uE
to turn on the last gas jet when his ear was
greeted with the sharp clatter of horse,s
hoofs coming swiftly down the street. he
dropped his hand and listened. not deenly
surprised to note that the sound OF speeding
feet ceased in front of his ofice. :, : =
sSome one for the doctor.,' he mutterad
moodily, as il displeased.
Before he could go to the door It wa
pushed open and Lura Joyce stood hefors