The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1889-03-21
LONE HOLLOW;
Or, The Peril Of The PenFOyS.
A Thrilling and Romantic Story
of Love and Adventure
BY JAMES NJ. MERRILL, AUTHOR OF BOGUS
BILL FISHER JOE" AND
OTHER STORIES.
TC0pyriqh, rsss, 6y he A. " kellogg Neps-
Or, The Peril Of The PenFOys,
tO0puight 1850, By he A N kellogg Ntlts-
paper CompdHgl
CHAPTER x.


in the road near the stables whinnying to b
admitted.
Captain Starbright came sauntering u
the walk. He managed to pass most of hi
time in or about Lone Hollow, but since tn,
coming of Lura Joyce he had made no ad
vances in his suit for the hand Of Grace; il
consequence the heiress was learning to re
gard him with considerable less aversion
than formerly.
'Isn't that Romeo down yonder, Captainl'
questioned Grace, who stood on the verands
as the Captain came up.
sit looks like Mad Lura's horse, surely
returned Captain Starbright, as he glanced
toward the road II wonder where his mis-
tress isl'
"She went to StoneGeld yesterday
sand rode Romeo!''
"Yesp
Captain Starbright turned on his heel and
hurried at once to the stable. II he expect
ed to meet Lura Joyce he was mistaken.
Romeo stood by the road gate whinneying
TO be admitted. The Captain led the horse
TO his stalls He noticed that the horse was
saddled, land he wondered at the non-appear-
ance of the animals mistress.
"Yol did not see Lurap
Grace Penroy's face was white as she put
the question to the Captain on his return.
s. did not"
He twisted his cane and looked thought
full. and perhaps trifie uneasy.
"The horse was saddledm
aYes.p
"Then something has happened to Lura,n
cried Grace, in 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 / shall never forgive
myself" and Grace wrung her hands and
looked distressed indeed.
A vague suspicion entered the mind OF
Captain Starbright as he turned away to
obey the orders of the mistress OF Lone
Hollow.
s'If something has happened, it viii 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.. Vandible was worked up
to fever heat, while his granddaughter was
nearly crushed with grief.
know something terrible has hap
pened,n declared poor Grace, again and
again.
Confound it, what business had Lura
to 20 away, I'd like to lnowl think q girl
OF her age ought to know something The
ideaof riding vicious horse unaccompanied
over that lonely road, with tramps and
wild animals thick as fieas on a.dog, is pre-
sumptuous, yes, presumptuous, say"
Then the old man would bring his cane
down with tremendous thump that would
make things jingle.
"Grandpa, DON'T" pleaded Grace. SIT
was all my fault. / sent Cousin Lura.n
sYou sent her For what, I'd like TO
know The idea-yes. the ideal say, ola
girl trapesing of just at night after knick-
knacks not worth sixpence. II the girls
dead, her neck broke from her folly and
yours, Grace Penroy, reckon the lesson II
bea mighty useful one for both of you; yes,
for both of you hity-tity girls. ] sayn
Then the old man stamped up and down
the porch, humping his cane after every
other word in a way that, on another occa-
sion, would have been laughable in the ex-
IRENE.
The shades Of night came with 40 news
of the missing Lura. Captain Starbright
felt like congratulating himself. II tn ac-
cident had happened it would prove
lucky circumstance for him
BE 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 6fn we
doln moaned Grace, appealing to Captain
Starbright in way that almost touched his
hardened heart.
"We can only hope for the best" he re-
turned.
"Do you think we have any reason to
hopein
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-
tremely anxious to gain the good will Of the
heiress who had once snubbed him for his
hasty familiarity.
al think we have good ground for hope,
Grace he said, in reassuring tone.
" Really. haven't the least idea that any
thing serious has befallen your cousin.
have known the young lady for some time
and can assure yCei that, though reckless
and high-strung, She is abundantly able to
take care Of herself"
hour ,-o,, fo, :,
turning hoinein
answered. "What was the errand that
took her to Stonefeldin
He regarded Miss Penroy keenly as he
put the question.
"a little affair of our own
(which does not concern me, chi" re-
torted the Captain, with low laugh.
Grace passed into the house without
speaking again. The Captain muttered
breath, and then turned away. 1t was now
almost dark. As Captain Starbright ap-
preached the gate stout form rose up and
confronted him.
/" Hal it is one of the twins,n calculated
the Captain, feeling annoyed at the sudden
appearance of one he cared not to see.
ats me, fur a fact,n grunted the man in
a surly tone 81 reckoned you'd be over
afore this, Capn. l got impatient, as did
nav and Bill, so here / be-,
"What brings you herel" demanded the
Captain, leaning against the fence, regard
ing the man with frown.
"What do ye sposel Thought you might
guess. Hain't seen the GAL"
"Hal then 1t is your hand that has been
In this work. feared so"
aYou wanted IL done"
"True.n
Bending forward, Captain Starbright
whispered huslrily:
uGo down the road into the hollow. We