The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-12-06

Lone Hollow, however. She is my cousin, 1
suppose"
"And she has not arrived thens" uttered
Fingal, in disappointed tone. II am
sorry, for have bone 70 pick with that
young lady. Perhaps l had best not go to
the house,
"But grandfather would be pleased to see
you,' urged Grace, who was really quite pre-
possessed in the young mans favor, in'splte
Of the fact that he wore long hair and was
very plain spoken.
After @ little reflection Fingal continued
in Grace's company, and the two in a little
time came in sight of rambling stone
dwelling built upon On elevation that occu-
pied the exact center of vast basin, whose
sides were covered with trees and bushes
CHAPTER IL
AT LONE HOLLOW.
AS we have said, a rambling stone man.
sion doomed up on the summit of mound
that occupied the center of an immense
basin or hollow.
The elevated land was not raised as high
as the surrounding country; on the con
trary, the hills about the basin were fully
up to q line with the highest point of the
roof on the dwelling in the hollow. 1t was
fully mile from the spot where the girl
and young man stood to the farther side OF
the sink beyond the dwelling.
The country presented weirdly wild ap.
pearance. not human habitation being Wis
ible save the stone house in the hollow.
A wagon road wound it's way down the
side of the hill and passed up the elevation
past the front of the old house, losing itself
beyond, but again appearing on the further
rise, cutting squarely through the low, yet
dense growth Of trees on its summit. 1t
would seem that Grace Penroy had wan
dered some distance from the home roof on
this quiet, cloudless summer day. 1t was
nothing new for her, however.
"That is Lone Hollow" uttered Fingal,
musingly. 1T is well named, that is GER
tain.''
Yes, think So" return ed Grace. THE
house is old, having been built by my ma
ternal grandfather"
"Have you lived here all your lifes"
Indeed, no. We have been here scarce
ly more than year,
"Veg
Mother, grandfather and l."
" And your father!"
" Is Dead" she answered, mournfullv.
1t was an accident. A vicious horse flung
him, and neighbors found him by the road
side dead-that was two years ago.
Yes. Where were you living theE?"
The young man seemed extremely curl
GUS, but Grace felt no offense. 1t had been
q long time since she had met one of her
own age with whom she could talk, and so
she INDUCED herself freely on the present
occasion.
we were living not far from Detroit
fathers business was in that city,"
'Indecd! Do you like this lonesome
placer
AT first 1 did not"
6" see. You have become accus toned to
the solemn old place."
"Yes, in a measure"
"Do you often wander so far from home
as to-days 1t seems to me not wholly safe
for you to do so," persisted Fingal.
''Not often. l am, however, privileged
to do as please. l expect, when my cousin
comes, l shall take immense pleasure in
visiting all the noted scenes and wild places
in the neighborhood," declared Grace, with
no little enthusiasm.
"You tell me you have never seen your
cousin Certainly you do not knew that
you will like herr
"NO, but then / mean to. 1t certainly
will be her fault if l do not" declared
Grace, cmphatically.
81 believe so MYSELF he returned, snil-
ing into the pretty, flushed face of his beau.
tiful companion. There are noted spots in
this vicinity, you tell mes'
''Many. Just mile to the west is Hanr.
mans Gulch, where it's seid one of the first
settlers was lynched for murder. Then
have heard that not far from this hollow -
cone where at one time old Lille Dotv
secreted himself several days from his pur-
suerS. You see, we live in O romantic re-
gion -
81 should say So" agreed Fingal. "Yoy
ought to be poet, or an artist, Miss
Penroy, then you might immortallze the
country roundabout"
They walked on then, descending the hill
following the wagon road along up the next
incline to the front door of the old mansion
On the porch an old man sat smoking E
pipe. His hair was white as the driver
snow, his face smooth shaver after thu
manner of olden times. His dress wa,
quaint and old, and altogether he presented
the appearance Of one of the reyolutionar,
patriarchS.
He ut in . huge armchair a. old md q
quaint a. himself, while 1t his side. lean
Ing against his knee, was heavy oane cut
from tho native woods.
he removed his pipe when be saw the
TWO young people coming up the broad
graveled walk, pushing with wrinklcd
fingers his glasses high upon his bald
brows.
"Eh! IT'S Oracle, and-and, yes. by the
beard OF tho prophet, it's q young mani
Confound it; confound 1t, sayl One young
man Is enough for . girl Haven't I told
her"
Grandpa, this Is Mr.. F;ngal He saved
my life, and want you to thank him, as
can not, for the act. MI. Fmgal, Grandpa
Vandible"
Then Grace went in to her mother, leaving
the two gentlemen together
Excuse me-" said Mr.. Vandible, as he
shook the strangers hand without rising,
I've got the stiffness of old age in nv
bones, and can't get up and down as once
could"
Certainly, sir"
Fingal laid his rife carefully aside and
accepted chair that stood near.
Grace says you saved her life What
did she meant TN sure the huzzy ought
not to put herself in danger. I've warned
her enough. yes, have. But there's no end
Of trouble one has with the girls, confound
EN-; yes, II say, confound 'em."
Then Mr.. Vandibls readjusted his glasses.
and petted his cane gently while he resumed
nis smoking.