The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-12-13
,, y, Ne HOLLOW:
Or, The Peril Of the Penroys.
A Thrilling and Romantic Story
Of Love and Adventure.
BY JAMES M. MERRILL, AUTHOR OF BOGUS
BILL FISHER JOE" AND
OTHER STORIES.
[Gopyrig7t, 1889, by the A. ". Kellogg Ness.
paper CompGny.l

[Gopyright, 1889, by the A. ~ Kellogg Nevs.
paper COmpdny1
He glared at his companion, then sprang
to his feet with muttered imprecation.
CPL. have nothing to do with you, old
Woman, not q thing.''
Then he walked to the door, opened it and
gazed out into the darkness. He did not 90
however, neither did the crone offer to pre-
vent She sat lmmovable, glaring at him
with her black, beady eyes in a way most
unpleasant. She knew Captain Starbright
even better than he knew himself. He had
come to the cabin for purpose that night,
and Mother CABRERA knew it.
After brief moment the Captain closed
the door. slipped q wooden bolt across the
opening, and turned once more to the rrc.
prletrcss-
II an sorry that you can not trust me-
Mother CABRERA"
'Nobody but fool would do that, Clint
Starbright," the woman interrupted. sit
would take heap O. sand an soap to wash
your character clean, moren / can afford to
perduce."
Il suppose you consider yourself immacu-
late"
''Of course do; don't your
There seemed no good to argue the point.
so Captain Starbright made no further re-
mark, but walked back and resumed his
seat A covert smile about the thin lips of
the bag proved that he had done nothing
more than she expected. The greater part
of his indignation was simulated, evidently
ioto 70 ~,
silence for minute, Mother Cabera9"
"Fll make try ont, Cap'n."
"What wish to say is this. If at any
time during the next fortnight an accident
should happen to MISS Lura Joyce no one
would be found to mourn, and somebody
would find herself considerably richer in
this worlds goods. You underst and!"
1--WE got pretty good perceptive faculties,
Cap'n."
81 believe you. am not to be known in
this affair at ALL remember that, Mother
Cabrera
Certainly"
"And it must be on accident entirely"
whats the price fur such delightful
work! A girls life ought to be worth a
good deal these times" chuckled the bag,
unpleasantly.
GA hundred"
"Tush!" she interrupted, angrily "Do
you take me for common garroter! Not
a cent less N thousand would tempt me-
Put that in your pipe and smoke it, Cap'n,
dear"
Every well, we will not dispute ever the
price"
Again he came to his feet, walked to the
door, hesitated moment, then returned to
the side Of Mother CABRERA.
"Walm
She regarded HIM with queer glitter of
The sunken, beady eyes.
Some Of your cough drops, madam.
Could you accommodate me with small
Fial of the stuff"
II might"
"Then do 80 and be quick about it, for
must get back to Lone Hollow Immediately"
The bag held out her withered hand.
"Cross my palm with gold and the elixlr's
yours"
He drew from his pocket gold eagle and
dropped it into her hand. Then she rose,
emitting chuckle, and glided swiftly
to a cupboard near and opened it. After
short time spent in fumbling about among
various articles she returned and placed a
small vial filled with colorless liquid in his
hand.
~ had it all ready" she said. 81 reck-
oned you'd be wanting some before long.
The old gent at the Hollers gettin' old,
and he needs somethin' stimulatin' to keep
ais gray head above ground. 'Twould be a
pity eff he'd drop off with heart disease
some day, an awful shock to the community
like; Ell, Cap'n!"
"None of that, you bag of darkness" re-
sorted he, with nervous grip on the deli
cate substance in his hand. 81 will call
again in short time. Mother CABRERA"
She went with him to the door, and open
ing it saw him pass out into the night. AS
he walked silently and swiftly away he
muttered to himself:
"There were no witnesses to our meeting,
and that was as l wished. Should any
thing happen, any trouble come of this, that
hag's word would count as nothing against
me. am sharp enough not to be caught
In trap, l flatter myself. Had the ugly
twins been present I should never have
made mention of the object of my visit
never. I am not sure that shall need the
contents of this vial, but it is well enough
to be prepared. The poison is SO subtle as
to defy detection, am told, and if Mother
CABRERA could not concoct such potion no
one in the wide world need attempt it,"
And so the scheming Captain was emf
nently satisfied. Perhaps he would not
have felt such citation had he looked into
Mother Cabera's cabin ten minutes after
his departure
The old woman waited a sufficient time
for the Captain to get well on his way, then
she went to one corner of the room, moved q
large rush mat aside, and STOPPING lifted q
trap-door.
"Come up, children; the coast is clear
Then head peered above the floor, shag-
gy and unkempt, pair of glittering eyes
peering from under beetling brows, At mates
to Mother Cabera's
CHAPTER VII
DISTURBED HEARTS.
"This Captain Starbright seems to hang
about here continually. Grace! Can you
explain it,"
The speaker was bronzed looking youne
man of three and twenty. with homes,
brown eyes and well-knlt frame. He was
standing under tree with his back against
the trunk, while Grace Penroy reclined on
the grass, with book open in her lap, from
which she had lately been reading.
There was q frown ON the young mans
face, as though he was deeply displeased al
something.
Captain Starbright is grandpa's guest, .
explained the girl "He seems to like the
Captain, and insists on his remaining here -