The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1889-02-21
CHAPTER II.
LONE HOLLOW.

AS we have SAID, q rambling stone man
sion loomed up on the summit OF mound
that occapied 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
IN to line with the highest point OF the
roof on the dwelling in the hollow. IL was
fully a mile from the spot where the girl
and young man stood to the farther SIDE oil
the sink beyond the dwelling.
The country presented q weirdly wild APP
pearance, not human habitation being Wis
ible save the stone house in the hollow.
A wagon road wound its 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 IL
would seem that Grace Penroy had wan
dered some distance from the home ROOF on
this Quiet, cloudless summer day. IL was
nothing new for her, however.
.sTbat is Lone Hollow" uttered Fingal,
musingly. 1T is well named, that is GER
tain.'
ayes. think so,n return ed Grace. The
house is old. having been built by my ma
ternal grandfather.
a. Have YOU lived here all your lifef'
Indeed. no. We have been here scarce
" more than a year."
"Wer'
"Mother, grandfather and IL
And your fatherr"
as dead,n she answered, mournfully.
" II 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 them
The Young man seemed extremely curl
Gus, but Grace felt no offense. 1t had been
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.
I've were living not far from Detroit
fathers business was in that city
"Indcedl Do you like this lonesome
placer
q At first did not.r
II see. You have become accustomed Z
the solemn old place"
sYes, in q measure"
ssDo YOU often wander SO far from home
! as to-dayi 1t seems to me not wholly sai'
for YOU to do sou persisted Fingal
.sNot often. am, however. privilege
to do as please. expect, whenmy cousi'
5 comes, shall take immense pleasure IL
: visiting all the noted scenes and wild place
in the neighborhood,n declared Grace, witt
: no little enthusiasm.
r aYou tell me you have never seen you
: cousin. Certainly you do not know tina
o you will like her."
4 mo, but then ] mean to- II certain
G will he her fault If do not" declare
Grace, emphatically
$ sIbelieve SO myself" he returned, sml
ing into the pretty, flushed face of his bear
g tiful companion. There are noted spots
it this vicinity, you tell met"
..Many. Just mile to the west is Hang
r mans Gulch, where tits said one Of the Hrs
(. settlers was lynched for murder. Then
n have heard that not far from this hollow
cone where at one time old Lille Dot
"a secreted himself several days from his pul
W suers. You see, we live in romantic r
ie gionn
~ should say so,'' agreed Fingal. "Yc
d. ought to be poet, or an artist, Mi'
is Penroy. then you might immortalize Il
country roundabout"
he They walked on then, descending the III
On following the wagon road along up the ne
incline to the front door of the old mansio
gu On the porch an old man sat smoking
i'll nine. His hair was white as the drive
ed snow. his face smooth shaven after I
to manner Of olden times. His dress W
ly quaint and old, and altogether he present
the appearance Of one Of the revolutions
TO patriarchs.
est He sat in huge armchair as old and
zee quaint as himself, while at his side, lea
ing against his knee, was heavy cane c
Tor from the native woods.
nc He removed his pipe when he saw
lie two young people coming up the bro
md graveled walk, pushing with wrink
IDS fingers his glasses high upon his d
brows.
CHI '.Ehl It's Oracle, and-and, yes, by
zee. beard of the prophet, it's a young mi
ad- Confound it; confound 1t, say One you
man is enough for q girl. Haven't l I
ese her"
the Grandpa, this is Mr.. Fingal. he say
nv life, and want you to thank him,
ere, can not, for the act Mr.. Fingal, Gran
vandible."
II Then Grace went intoher mother, leav
and the two gentlemen together.
Excuse me- said Mr.. Vandiblc, as
shook the strangers hand without MS
"I've got the stiffness OF old age in
and bones, and can't getup and down as
n tc could"
the. Certainly, sir.n
/ AMI Fiueal laid his rife carefully aside
accepted a chair that stood near.
ACE, "Grace says you saved her life "