Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1889-04-25
LONE HOLLOW:
VI The Peril of the Penroys.
a thrilling and Romantic stor1
oI Love and Adventure.
NJ. MERRILL, AUTHOR OF "BoCus
FISHER JOE" AND
OTHER STORIES,
''o'r9'HS'@' 1859, by the A. " Es!logo Ne,cs
paper Company1
CHAPTER X.

, WITHOUT her coming, ard Grace rose
ronoe , a..'o rested, so anxious was she to be
'nore on good terms with her lover.
49, aiarH was felt until late in the fore
noon, when Grace noticed Romeo starS;n,.
IN the road near the stables wbinnying 10 he
admitted ins " oe
Captaln Starbright came saunterino nm
INC walk. he managed to pass most of his
'iine III or about Lone Hollow, but since the
coming OF Lura Joyce he had made no adj
'ahces In his suit for the hand of Grace: in
oonsequence the heiress was learning to re-
80 nm with considerable less aversion
than formerly.
Isn't that Romeo down yonder. CAPTAIN ~,
questioned Grace, who stood on the yeranda
as the Captain came up.
IL looks like Mad Lura's horse, surely"
returned Captain Starbright, as he glanced
tress is?n ---o
She went to stonefeld yesterday"
And rode Romeo,"
ssYes.n
Captain Starbright turned on his heel and
hurried at once to the stable. If he expect
ed to meet Lura Joyce he was mistaken.
romeo stood by the road gate whinneying
70 be admitted. The Captain led the horse
10 ms stall He noticed that the horse was
saddled, land he wondered at the non-appear-
'ance of the animals mistress.
You did not see Lura?"
Grace Penroy's face was white as she put
the question to the Captain on his return.
Il did not''
Iul, and perhaps q trifle uneasy
The horse was saddled!"
"Yes.n
Then something has happened to Lura,"
cried Grace, in a distracted voice.
Don't borrow trouble
But Romeo is vicious, and 1 have al
ways feared that he would be the death of
Lura. am sure something terrible has
happened" persisted Grace. $50 at once,
Captain Starbright, and look for her Sum-
mon the servants and move quickly. If any
thing has happened 1 shall never forgive
myself" and Grace wrung her hands and
looked distressed indeed.
Ayague suspicion entered the mind of
Captain Starbright as he turned away to
obey the orders of the mistress of Lone
Hollow.
If something has happened, it will be
glad day for me-" unused the Captain.
faint smile lifting the wings of his tawny
mustache.
He FASTENED to the stable, saddled one of
his grays and was soon galloping swiftly
away in the direction of Stonefield.
No one had met or seen the girl, and when
the Captain returned to Lone Hollow late in
the day he brought no news of the missing
girl.
The servants secured the vicinity without
success. Old Mr.. Vandlble was worked up
to fever heat, while his granddaughter was
nearly crushed with grief.
81 know something terrible has hap
pened," declared poor Grace, again and
again.
Is Confound it. what business had Lura
to go away, I'd like to knows 1 think a girl
of her age ought to know something. The
idea of riding vicious horse unaccompanied
over that lonely road, with tramps and
wild animals thick as fleas on a.dog, is pre-
-sumptuous, yes, presumptuous, say"
Then the old man would bring his cane
down with a tremendous thump that would
make things jingle.
"Grandpa, DON'T" pleaded Grace. at
was all my fault. ] sent Cousin Lura-"
"You sent her! For what, I'd like to
know The idea-yes, the ideal say, ofa
girl trapeslng off just at night after knick-
knacks not worth q siXpence. If the girls
dead, her neck broke fir. m her folly and
YOURS Grace Penroy, reckon the lesson III
bea mighty useful one for both of you; yes,
for both of you hity-tity girls, say"
Then the old man stamped up and down
the porch, humping his cane after every
other word in way that, on another occa-
Slou, would nave Dech lauS hiiplc Al VIC eA-
IRENE.
The shades of night came with 40 news
of the missing Lura. Captain Starbright
felt like congratulating himself. If on ac-
cident had happened it would prove
lucky circumstance for him.
He had been only too anxious 10 have the
determined Miss joyce out of his path, that
he might have no object in the way of the
full accomplishment of his schemes. He
hoped that she had really met with an acct
dent that would prevent further interior
ence on her part.
"Oh, Captain. what shall, what cIn we
do.n moaned Grace, appealing to Captain
Starbright in a way that almost touched his
hardened heart.
1--WE can only hope for the best" he re-
turned.
"Do YOU think we have any reason to
hopes"
He saw that she was anxious for him to
speak words of cheer, and so he would not
,disappoint her, for the Captain was ex-
tremclv anxious to gain the good will of the
beiress who had once snubbed him for his
hasty familiarity.
~ think we have good ground for hope,
Grace, he said, in reassurinG tone.
Is Really, haven't the least idea that any
thing serious has befallen your cousin. L
have known the young lady for some time
and can assure you that, though reckless
and high-strung, she is abundantly able to
take care of herself
"Thcn how do you account for her not re-
turning holne!"
II do not pretend to account for it" he
s.What was the GRAND that
took her to Stonetield!'
He regarded Miss Penroy keenly as he
put the question.
.. a little affair of our own"
(which does not concern me, ehE" re-
torted the Captain. with low laugh.
Grace passed into the house without
sneak,ng again. Tho Captain muttered
spmetbinr not exactly polite under MS
hre,th- and then turned away 1t was now
oImost dark. As Captain Staroright APP
preached the gate a stout form rose up ana
confronted him ;,,,,,.,a
"Ha, 1t is one OF the twins, eJacuia,eu
the Captain, feeling annoyed at'tne suuuen
'no -p,ce of one he cared not to sec.
4. I,,s me. fur q fact" grunted tho man In
,,riy tone a. reckoncd you'd be over
,,fore This. Cap'n. I got impatient, as dld
nav and Bill, so here be-"
"What brings you heref demanded the
Captain, leaning against the ience' res"'u
inc the man with frown.
SWhat do We s'poset Thought you hiisn'
,,,ess Hain't seen the gal
.Hai then 1t is your hand tna' HAS oeen
sn this work. feared Sc"
aYou wanted it done"
PENDING forward, Captain Starbright
" e.sp aosvn the road into the hollow We