The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1889-03-14
/ II am only visitor there, friend Of The

wrinkled hand was held up to the gaze OF
the fair equestrienne.
''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 gold coin into the palm OF
the old wood witch. The recipients eyes
sparkled, and the bony fingers closed quick
ly over the precious metal. Trusting 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 ut 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 some
moments in silence.
~ see clouds ahead, trouble, q life sacri-
feed to the greed OF one man." uttered the
| fortune-teller, at length, in 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
too black. Poor child poor childw and
Mother CABRERA dropped the girls hand and
turned away her head, as II 10 shut out
some terrible vision.
"Tell me ALL demanded Lura, half
angrily,
"But it is too bad"
"Then refund the money!
Once more Mother CABRERA looked into the
| piquant face OF the girl on horseback. There
was a look akin TO pity on the parchment
face, then she once more grasped Lura's
| hand and proceeded:
"The black cloud that saw has been dis
PEELED, pushed aside TO make room for the
last scene; it is one Of blood. A man, dark
and handsome, treads on a human heart. /
hear woman's wall Of woe, see his hand
appraised against her, and then she fallsl
OH it is wicked. She lies in. darksome
place dead, and he goes out TO win the great
heiress, smiling as ever, with no one TO
know that he has murdered the girl who
foolishly thought to thwart his will
Again the witch paused.
Her words, spoken in q solemn tone, were
NOT without their effect, and brave Lura
could not repress the shudder that crept
swiftly over her frame.
THAT'S all
Mother CABRERA at once moved away to-
ward the cabin.
With q long, quvering sigh, Lura re
sumed her journey. She was not supersti-
tious, but, nevertheless, the words Of the
old wood witch had deep effect and
brought unpleasant thoughts to the mind
OF the orphan girl
"Of course there's nothing in such
things argued Lura. II thought had
more sense than TO allow the sayings of
such toothless bag to trouble me in the
least"
Then she urged her horse 10 greater
speed. The path soon became ill-defned,
and she began 10 fear that she might lose
it altogether. She now realized that it was
a mistake, her turning aside TO seek short
cut 10 Stoneteld.
81 do believe shall have TO turn back as
it isl sighed the bewildered girl. Then
she glanced up at the sky to note the fact
that it was almost night, and that clouds
were gathering adown the western horizon,
"Night and storm coming"
There was solemn ring in the words,
and at that moment Lura would have given
q goodly sum to have been safely housed at
Lone Hollow. She found herself in an open
woods, the ground level and grass-grown.
The place was pleasant enough, but the
solitude was depressing. Remembering
her letter she thrust her hand into her
bosom to draw it forth
A low cry escaped her lips
The letter was gone
Quickly Lura wheeled her horse and
glanced eagerly down the path she had fol
lowed. No white object met her vision.
Then she made thorough examination OF
her person, satisfying herself that the let
ter, on account Of which she had undertaken
the journey, was lost
She must needs return now, since there
could be no object in continuing on to Stone
field withou Grace Penroy's letter.
"How could have lost iti''
This was the burden of the young girls
thoughts as she rode slowly on the return.
Eagerly securing the ground until darkness
fell Lura rode, and then she drew rein with
a low exclamation of impotence and cha,
grin.
II don't suppose the letter amounts to
much after all. Grace can write another,
and there are other days TO come in which
it can be delivered, but 1t is provoking after
all. wonder If old Mother CABRERA had
hand in the mischief. I'll interview the
lady when again strike her mansion"
Then, uttering seemingly merry laugh,
which had in it a ring of defiance for the
fates, the maiden touched Romeo with her
1nnumerable stars came out and dotted
blue orb. The threatened storm
did not come, aud when Lura found herself
once more in the vicinity Of the fortune
teller's cabin she began to breathe easier.
The trail she was following ran along near
the edge of deep gulch, which assured the
girl chat she could not be far from Mother
cabin.
Suddenly Romeo came to a stand. In vain
did Lura urge, he refused to move another
step, and soon began to snort with fear.
something is wrong, surely. never
knew Romeo to act so strangely before"
Peering forward Lura gave utterance to
a sudden, startled cry. A human hand had
grasped her bridle-rein, and pair of gilt
tering eyes peered up into her face.
For the moment the girl was paralyzed
with dreadful fear.
miss, you'll have TO get of the boss"
Quickly Lura raised her riding-whip and
dealt the speaker a blow in the face with
ali her strength, at the same time speaking
to her horse.
With a mad cry the man reeled back He
chung TO the rein, however, and as the horse
forged ahead dragging him forward,
another hand grasped the arm Of Lura and
BnatcneQ ner from TIC Sauule-
"Never mind the boss, Bill, I've got the
gall
And then Lura heard Romeo tearing
swiftly down the bridle-path while she was
left struggling in the arms Of man.
"Release me. villainn
Then Lura was not permitted TO speak
further. A broad palm was pressed over
her lips, and strong arms lifted her from
her feet. Struggle as she would, escape
was impossible.
"Jest keep quietr' Kissed voice in her
ear. ''Mebbe you'll fare better if you quit
your tantrums."
.'Don't bother with the she cat" said
voice. Here's the place TO dump the crit
ter and no questions asked. tn be an &C
cident and the Cap'n will doc over the cash
when he hears ont"
"Ayel that he will. Sure we've got the
7In course 1 be. Didn't Name tell who
she wasi'
'True for We, Bill. Now lend hand"