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


staggered with weakness as he crossed the
threshold.
CHAPTER XII
A THANKLEss CHILD.
"An' SO you chaps has been in the gulch
looking for the body Of that spitfire gal"
Mother CABRERA gave vent to peculiar
grating laugh that sounded harshly in the
ears Of Captain Starbright.
''That is the truth, Mrs. CABRERA" as
sured the Captain. "Your son Hank tells
me that q terrible accident happened, re-
sulting in the death Of my esteemed friend,
Miss Joyce. The whole country is aroused,
and 1t is highly necessary that the truth be
known. Miss Penroy and her grandfather
are nearly distracted with grief. Since we
did not find the body am not sure that
Lura Joyce is dead"
"You would like to know that she isi"
Captain Starbright cast q quick glance at
the second twin, who lounged ON the floor
near, with pipe between his red jaws, and
said:
"On the contrary, I should DO glad to
know that she is alive. Itgrieves me sorely
to think harm has come to one who was my
friend"
"The spitfire gal was your friend?"
The beady eyes of the bag pierced him
like twin dirks.
"The best friend had In the world" as
serted Captain Starbright, with apparent
feeling.
lie had confided only in the bag, and was
not yet ready to place himself at the mercy
Of the two ruffians who were supposed to
be the sons Of Mother CABRERA. He had
evinced too much feeling in the presence of
Hank, he feared, and resolved to be more
careful in the future. -
After moment of silence Mother CABRERA
stepped to the Captains side and touched
his arm
"Come with me, Captain" she whispered
in his ear. Then she crossed to one corner
of the room and slipped aside q mat re-
vealing trap-door.
Selling candle that stood near she lifted
the trap and stepped through the aperture
thus exposed.
Was there danger in followingl
Captain Starbright was not ready to trust
these people fully. He knew that his life
would not be worth picayune should the
inmates of the gulch cabin deem it money
in pocket to take it. he had gone too far
now to recede, however, and so, making
sure Of his weapon, he followed the bag to
the cellar below.
As the trap closed above them Mother
CABRERA said:
II knew you was embarrassed up there
afore the boys, so thought would bring
you here where you could speak freely"
She flashed the blaze Of her candle about
the room, q small, square apartment, with
but the damp earth for floor. Some boxes
and barrels stood about, and on one Of the
former Mother CABRERA seated her gaunt
form.
81 s'pose you was expectin' this accident
q little soonerl"
mo. I had nearly forgotten about it. II
was an accident, then!"
ut looks that way"
at is very sad am sorry that the body
was taken away. There seems to be some
mystery about it."
A low chuckle answered him
SITS plains the nose on yer face, Captain
what do you meant"
Il attended to the body. I was down
while the boys was away and fetched the
poor gal up an planted her here"
The hldeous bag indicated with tap Of her
foot the center Of the room, which seemed
q little higher than the surrounding ground.
"Good heavensi Do you mean that Lura
Joyce's dead body lies here under our very
feet" cried the Captain, his face white and
CHASTITY in the dim light
That's it exactly. Hold the candle
mlnnit and III show ye proof"
Mother CABRERA thrust the candle into his
80 tn, a 80 q No.
ed spade that leaned against the stones,
and began digging i'll the center Of the Gel
lar
mo, no; that will do" cried the Captain.
q clammy sweat oozing out on his face as
the spade struck something beneath the
surface with thud that was sickening.
BE you satisfied? It won't take me
NOR minnit-"
mo, want no further proof" groaned
the wicked Captain. II am assured that
poor Lura Joyce is dead. Let US go up"
"Here is more proof, if you need it."
the bag, at the same time produc
ing soiled envelope, and thrusting it to-
ward the Captain. sim opinioned that the
gal was a-carryin' this fur the heiress at
Lone Hollow"
1t proved to be the letter that Lura Joyce
lost, and had doubtless been stolen by the
bag while telling the girls fortune on the
previous day.
Captain Starbright read the letter with
its affectionate words for the Stoneield me-
chanic, and felt his muscles harden, his
feelings CONCEAL with rage.
Twill keep this" he said.
I" If you pay for it, you may"
The nag held out bony hand. He thrust
the candle back in her hand and drew forth
a wallet, counting out several bank notes.
These he handed over to his companion
"That is the first installment," he said, in
a low tone.
"When does the next comet"
"When l am master Of the Vandible
millions. No one stands in my way now,
and before the SHOWS of Christmas whiten
the ground will be master of Lone Hollow
and its outlying lands"
Mother CABRERA secreted the money, then
turned to retrace her steps to the room
above. Evidently she was thus far satisfied
with the situation.
"One moment"
The hand Of Captain Starbright detained
the bag.
"You must keep this affair wholly to
yourself, not even whispering my part in it
to your sons"
al amt a fool Captain"
This seemed sufficient answer, and the
two repaired to the room above After Q
few more words with his friends, Captain
left the cabin and turned his
steps once more toward Lone Hollow:
fro m QOHEWURn1