The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-12-13

over the thought OF losing yo1-ano !. Tort
lne.n
"Lura Joycer'
swell, didn't you say they were all fort
sne-hunters, Miss Penroys Don't look at
ne so with those gray eyes, I was only
taking you at your word"
"But did not mean"
"Well?" as the girl hesitated
81 did not mean Austin"
"No, it seems not. Well, hurry and pre-
,are an answer"
"But you can not go to Stonefield TODAY
The stage will take the letter over in the
morning"
at will never do to trust that mode of
conveyance; besides, the boy expects an an
swer tonight. A ten-mile ride is just sport
ior Romeo and l."
Then Lura danced up to Grace, embraced
md kissed her, and quickly rushed from the
:oom.
Grace, full of happy thoughts at this un-
expected reconciliation, proceeded at once
% pen an answer to the letter she had re-
'eived that would bring i''y and peace to the
ieart OF the anxious young mechanic
Grace was sealing the letter when her
sousin returned.
"Al ready, Graeei Romeo is anxious for
race over the hills, and am fully as i'm
patient to be of. All, won't the bows ewes
snap when he reads thisa'.
The last words as Grace placed the letter
in the hand Of Lura were:
- would not send you"
"Of course not, Grace, !" the irrepresslble
Miss Joyce interrupted. "Iengineered this
expedition myself" Then snatching a kiss
Lura darted from the room and the house.
Fate willed, however, that the letter
thus consigned to the hand of Lura joyce
should never come under the eve of the
Stonefeld mechanic A dark tragedy was
soon to astound and horrify the inmates of
the old stone house at Lone Hollow.
CHAPTER TX
THE TRAGEDY.
1t was ten miles to Stonefeld through a
comparatively unsettled country.
During her two weeks soiourn at Lone
Hollow Lura Joyce had been twice over
the road on the back of her own animal. a
teet black gelding she was pleased to call
Romeo
1--WE heard there is a short cut to the
town." unused the young girl as she rode
out of the hollow at an easy pace. "And they
do say that it leads past old Mother
Cabera's hut, the gypsy fortune-teller I've
a good notion to take that route. I should
save time, and might see the old hag, to
boot. What say, Romeo, shall we take the
path or the dusty road to Stonefeldan
She patted her horse gently, speaking to
him as though he were human
A low Whitney answered her appeal.
and Lura laughed
You say yes, good Romeo. Well, I'll
think on it, as the old Romans would saw
When she came to the path that turned
from the main highway, Lura drew rein
and sat for some moments in brown study.
She glanced up at the sun, then into the
woods, which looked cool and inviting.
The sun was long past the meridian, and
should she follow the road it would set long
ere the goodly town of Stonefield was
reached. Lura was of an adventuresome
disposition, and seldom weighed the conse-
Quences.
"Whos afraid ~ she at length exclaimed.
tossing her head until the ostrich plume or
her jaunty hat danced like thing of life in
the breeze.
Then she guided her horse deliberately
into the woods on the path that was uuitA
plainly visible at this time
Progress through the woods was neces
sarily slow, however, and Lura began ia
suspect that she had been little the gamer
by leaving the road. Nevertheless she
would not retrace her steps now.
Presently the path led along the edge of 8
gulch. and little later she came upon
rude log cabin but few feet back from the
path. In front Of this cabin sat an old
woman smoking black clay pipe; against
the wall at her side leaned heavy staff.
Mercy on us. here we have the old
gypsy fortune-teller new p" exclaimed Lura
drawing rein within a few PAGES of the old
woman. my good woman, am 1 on the
right road to Stonefeldl"
The erone removed her pipe and stared
without uttering word.
Lura felt just little queer when she
caught the CLEAN Of the old crone's biaci
eyes. There was a serpent glitter in theil
depths, and the wrinkled face seemed ia
take on the aspect of goblin
81 asked if I am On the right road t.
Stonefield"
81 reckin."
SHOW far is it?'
"Ten mile or thereabout"
The old woman had found her tongue at
last.
Goodness |" calculated Lura ST don't
seem to be making much Roadway. l must
be near two miles from the main road, and
when l left that / was but nine miles OF
| less from town. Can it be that have been
going backward?'
The old woman rose, and taking her cane
hobbled forward.
"Is missy goin' to Stonefield!"
"Thats my Intention
"Are you from Lone Hollow?"
Clam"
1.-THE new mistress, s'posef'
''Not exactly" returned Lura, laughing.
II am only visitor there, friend Of the
family"
"You are Miss JoyceP'
eyes, and you are
"Mo5her CABRERA. Cross my palm, gooc
lady, and I'll tell your fortune" Then
wrinked hand was held up to the gaze Of
"Good! I've been wanting my fortune
told for long time. Here. Now tell me
the truth and nothing but the truth, on your
honor, or I'll haunt you"
Lura dropped a gold coin into the palm OF
the old wood witch. The recipients eyes
sparkled, and the bony fingers closed quick
~ over the precious metal. Thrusting the
money from sight in the folds of her dirty
| gown, Mother CABRERA grasped the small
brown hand held down for her inspection
and glanced at the various lines crossing it
There was no revelation of her thoughts
in the parchment face of Mother CABRERA
She examined the hand in hers for somt
moments in silence.
81 see clouds ahead, trouble, a life sacri
feed to the greed OF one man, uttered the
fortune-teller, at length, in a solemn voice
The smile that had rested until this mo
ment on the face Of Lura Joyce vanished
and cooling sensation crept over her gay
spirits.
81 will not tell you more, the picture is