Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-03-07
LONE HOLLOW;
Or, The Peril Of the Penroys.
A Thrilling and Romantic Story
Of Love and Adventure.
By JAMES n. MERRILL, AUTHOR OF "RoGUS
BILL" FISHER JOE" AND
OTHER STORIES
s01pyriaH, 1883, By the "A. ~ Kellogg Hsscs
paper ConspGny.1
CHAPTER V.-CoNr1NuEp.

CHAPTER V.-CONTINUED.
Now she had followed him to Lone Hol-
low, and Of course would use her influence
70 cheat him out Of the million that would
fall to the fortunate one who married
Grace Penroy. It was this fact that gave
the scheming man such uneasiness and vex-
alton.
'Miss Joyce, of what use is it to put your
self forever in my path % he finally de-
manded. IF you would only show proper
regard for my feelings, would be willing
to cry quits and use You well in the future.
There isn't the least sense in our being
enemies"
81 am your enemy because I know you,
Clinton Starbright," she said, grimlY. 81
know more than you imagine Of the part
you had in q tragedy Of a year ago. / am
here, for one thing, to watch you and see that
you take no unfair advantage OF innocence.
suppose you can comprehend that"
81 think ought"
"You haven't q spark Of honor in your
composition" she went on. IT can read
you like book. To me your nature is as
transparent as glass. understand your
motive for coming here; realize the peril
in which the Penroys exist, and let me
tell you at the outset that if you win in
the game you are playing you will have to
earn your success"
"You speak in riddles, Miss Joyce" he
returned, affecting not to understand her
meaning.
II shall not .pork that way, at all events -
she retorted.
again say your language is all . rid
die to me. would like you to explain your
sell, Miss Joyce"
81 do not think it is necessary"
"You doubt my sinceritya"
A hurt expression touched his darkly
handsome face. There was one woman iv-
ing who could neither be deceived nor fiat
tered by the dangerously handsome Cap
tain. fact that he was soon to realize to his
chagrin.
81 have no doubts on the subject, Cap
tain Starbright,' she declared. II knOar
that you are not sincere. Honesty and you
parted company a long time ago, soon after
you came to years of understanding,
should judge. know why you are guest
at Lone Hollow, and mean to thwart you
in every thing"
"This is why you are herea"
"Perhaps."
He smiled and plucked at his mustache
However displeased he might be he failed
to show it on his countenance.
81 can afford to laugh at your insinua
lions, Lura Joyce,' he said. in an easy
tone. ST know how jealous women are
prompted to do and say things that to sensi
BILE people seem extremely foolish"
He then attempted to rise to his feet. She
prevented him with q sudden gesture OF
angry vehemence.
"Cowardp' she Kissed. tThat could be
Jealous Of such a snake as you is beyond
the possibilities. Have you forgotten tina,
scorned your advances In other daysa
might have been chained to you then had
so wished. I did not. A coward in war
and sneak in peace is not the stuff te
make women jealousi That insinuattor
viii not pass current, Clinton Starbright'
He plucked more fiercely at his mustache
then, and bit of red shot into his swarthy
cheek. It was evident that she had touched
q tender spot at last He came to his fee
then, and confronted her with a black look
.T had hoped that you would be reasona
BILE, Miss Joyce" he said, in a low tone Of
disgust and rage. 81 find that you do MOI
mean to be any thing Of the kind, sol sup
pose it must necessarily be war between
us, but in the end will teach you lesson
that you will not soon forget"
When he would stride away she spran(
up and caught his arm, bending her fac'
close to his until the trembling curis o.
her foretop caressed his cheek.
ssClinton Starbright, it shall be war be
tween US, war to the hiit- Your bas'
schemes will fail. lean read the hand
writing of your doom on the wall. To-da.
the Penroys are In deadly peril, but in plot
ting to win the Vandible fortune you an
sOeGuing your oscn shro,sd, remember that!"
She flung his arm aside then, and dartet
into the house.
CHAPTER VI
: AN OMNIBUS CONTAB.
Captain Starbright stood biting his mus
tached lip without moving. Had he no
known Lura Joyce 50 intimately he wouls