Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-03-21

After moment of silence Mother CABRERA
stepped to the Captains side and touched
hls 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 a trapdoor.
the trap and stepped through the aperture
thus exposed
Was there danger in folIowinga
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
n:e OF his weapon, he followed the bag to
the cellar below.
As the trap closed above them Mother
CABRERA said:
81 knew you was embarrassed up there
afore the boys, so thought 1 would bring
you here where you could speak freely.''
She flashed the blaze of her candle about
the room, a small, square apartment, with
but the damp earth for q floor. Some boxes
and barrels stood about, and on one of the
former Mother CABRERA seated her eaunt
form.
dispose you was expectin' this accident
q little sooner!
ssNo. had nearly forgotten about it. 1t
was an accident, theu?"
st looks that way"
ssIt is very sad I am sorry that the body
was taken away. There seems to be some
mystery about it.''
A low chuckle answered him
cts plains the nose on yer face, Captain
Starbright."
"What do you meant"
81 attended to the body. 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
little higher than the surrounding ground.
"Good heavensl Do you mean that Lura
feet?" cried the Captain, his face white and
CHASTITY in the dim light.
THAT'S it exactly. Hold the candle q
mmnit and I'll show ye proof"
Mother CABRERA thrust the candle into his
hand and going to the side OF the room lift
ed spade that leaned against the stones,
and began digging in the center of the eel
lar.
"No, 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.
ssBe you satisfied? It won't take me
NOR n minnit-''
s'No, want no further proof" groaned
| the wicked Captain. 81 am assured that
poor Lura Joyce is dead. Let us go up"
"Here is more proof, if you need it,
chuckled the bag, at the same time produc
! ing . soiled envelope, and thrusting it to.
ward the Captain. @rm opinioned that the
gal was a-carryin' this fur the heiress al
Lone Hollow"
1t proved to be the letter that Lura Joyce
| hoo Io
bag while telling the girls fortune on the
previous day.
Captain Starbright read the letter with
it's affectionate words for the Stonetield me-
chanic, and felt his muscles harden, his
feelings CONCEAL with rage.
| 81 will keep this" he said.
eff you pay for it, you may"
The bag held out bony hand. He thrus,
| the candle back in her hand and drew forth
q wallet, counting out several bank notes
| These he handed over to his companion.
| "That is the first installment," he said, IL
| a low tone.
| When does the next comet"
When I am master Of the Vandible
millions. No one stands in my way now
and before the SHOWS of Christmas whittier
the ground will be master of Lone Hollow
and its outlying lands"
Mother CABRERA secreted the money, ther
turned to retrace her steps to the room
above. Evidently she was thus far satisfied
| with the situation.
zone moment"
The hand Of Captain Starbright detain ed
! the bag.
"You must keep this affair wholly to
| yourself, not even whispering my part in it
to your sons"
81 amt a fool, Captain"
This seemed sufficient answer. and the
|
few more words with his friends, Captain
Starbrlght left the cabin and turned his
| steps once more toward Lone Hollow