The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1889-03-27
hen up the incline to the level ground be-


He pushed through the bushes at rapid
pace, consuming O half-hour's time, per-
haps, in following an ill-defined path, and
then halted in front of q log cabin built on
the edge Of o deep gulch.
Night had now fallen, but light glowed
through the one front window, assuring the
Captain that an occupant was within. He
went at once and raped. When the door
opened in answer TO his summons he
quickly crossed the threshold, and rs 1t
closed behind him he found hlmself facing
an Unlocking crone, who had been engaged
in the interesting operation Of getting
solace from the stem Of black clay pipe.
"Ehi Cap'n Starbright as live," ejacu-
lated the female, resting the gaunt end Of
her under jaw on tho end Of her thumb as
she spoke, the Pipe swinging to and fro at
her side between the fingers of her other
hand
"Don't guess again, Mother CABRERA"
said the Captain, with low laugh. "Are
you alone"
"Don't look like i'll"
"Yes. The twins, where are theyW
ION one of their larIs, recllin. hain't
seen hide nor hair on 'em in three days
nown
"You ought 10 learn them better"
"Learn 'em, is itl I'd like TO see you," she
interrupted, with scowl.
~ shall not attempt ii at any rate" was
his answer. II suppose you are open TO
business now as ever, Mother Caberap
"Ef it brings something TO keep the pot
a-boiln' Pm ready" She answered, with
grin.
at will, you may be sure The fortune
telling business must be dull at this season
Of the yearl"
~ should say it was" .
"Nothing doing for long timel"g
"Nothing"
"Iimagined So HIVE you visited Lone
Hollow Of latel"
II haven't"
''Grace Penroy's cousin has arrived"
~ heard something about AT she was ex-
pected. A great beauty, Is'pose, with airs
enough to smother personi"
"NOthlng OF the kind. She's mannish and
fiery. don't like her, and that is why I've
/ come 70 you.n
"Well"
Mother CABRERA grlnned moro pronounced
| ly. Her eyes were sunken d ep under
narrow skull and looked very like two black,
twinliling beads. There was the glitter OF
avarice plainly revealed. Her visitor knew
her well, and was cautious enough not 70
commit himself in way that might after
ward prove dangerous.
"Sit down and let us have aquiet talk,
mother,n he said, at the same time placing
himself squarely on a rickcty chair. She
followed his example, and as they sat there
they made an odd picture he with his un-
spotted garments, with oiled and combed
locks, she with gown whose original color
was undiscoverabe from grease and dirt,
her hair in n dubious tangle and frowze.
A unique picture indeed
SNOW, then, Mr.. Starbrght, I'm all ears"
she SAID, carefully depositing her clay pipe
on the floor, and leaning forward until her
gaunt form, with pointed chin resting on
her attenuated palm, resembled semicir-
Gle OF bones.
"pd like" SAID the Captain, "for this
newcomer at Lone Hollow TO depart from
there Immediately. Her coming has COM
pletely upset my plans, and that is very an |
noying as you may well believe"
"Of course,n agreed the crone. "You
would like her to drop dead with heart dis
ease or somethn' OF the kind. A leetle OF
my COuBu uTOpS-
''For heavens sake, Mother CABRERA,
stopl" he commanded, hoarsely. Il hadn't
such an idea in mind. l wouldn't think Of
numbering the girl I'm not that sort OF
person. hope"
A low, whitening chuckle that caused his
flesh To creep interrupted his speech.
He glared at his companion, then sprang
To his feet with muttered imprecation.
"rll have nothing TO do with yoa, old
woman, not q thing"
Then he walked 10 the door, opened II and
gazed out into the darkness He did not 60,
however, neither did the crone offer 10 pre-
vent She sat lmmovable, glaring at him
with her black, beady eyes in q way most
unpleasant. She knew Captain Starbright
even better than he knew himself He had
come 10 the cabin for purpose that night,
and Mother CABRERA knew IL.
After brief moment the Captain closed
the door, slipped wooden bolt across the
prietress.
~ am sorry that you can not trust me,
Mother CABRERA"
Nobody but fool would do that Clint
Starbright," the woman interrupted. ut
would take heap o. sand an soap 70 wash
your character clean, more'n can afford 70
perduce."
"Isuppose you consider yourself immacu.
late.r
"Of course do; don't your
There seemed no good 10 argue tho point
30 Captain Starbright made no further re-
mark, but walked back and resumed his
seat A covert smile about the thin lips OF
the hag proved that he had done nothiug
more than she expected. The greater part
OF his indignation was simulated, evidently.
snow, then, will you listen 10 me In
silence for minute, Mother Caberar'
"rll make try ont Cap'n."
"What wish 10 cay is this. II at any
time during the next fortnight an accident
should happen TO Miss Lura Joyce no one
would be found 70 mourn, and somebody |
would find herself considerably richer IN
this worlds goods. You understaudr'
"rve got pretty good perceptive faculties,
Cap'n."
~ believe you. / am not 70 be known In
this affair at all; remember that, Mother
Caberan
"Certainly.n
"And IL must be on accident entirely"
"Whats the price fur such delightful |
worhi A girls life ought 10 be worth
good deal these tines" chuckled the hag,
unpleasautly.
"a hundred"
"Tushn she interrupted, angrily. "Do
you take me for q common garroteri Not |
q cent less IN thousand would tempt me. |
Put that in your pipe and smoke 1t, Capn,
dear"