The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1889-04-10

Alters a moment of silenoe Mother Cabsra
stepped to the Captains side and touched
his arm. i'.s.'
"Come with me, Captain she Whispered
in his ear. Then she crossed to one corner
of the room and slipped aside a mat re-
yealing trap-door. a
Seizing candle that stood near she lifted
the trap and stepped through the aperture
thus exposed. A i
Was there danger In foliowingi
Captain Starbright was not ready to trust
these people fully. he knew that his life
would not be worth picayune should the
inmates Of the gulch cabin deem 1t money
in pocket TO take II. he had gone too far
now TO recede, however. and 80, making
sure Of his weapon, he followed the hag to
the cellar below. isl
As the trap closed above them Mother
CABRERA said:
81 knew you was embarrassed up there
aiore the boys, 90 thought would bring
you here where you could speak freely"
She flashed the blaze OF her candle about
the room, q small, square apartment with
but the damp earth for q floor. Some boxes
and barrels stood about, and on one Of the
former Mother CABRERA seated her gaunt
form. s.
dispose you was expectin' this accident
little sooneri"
oNo. had nearly forgotten about it. 1t
was an accident, theui"
''It looks that way"
s'It Is very sad I am sorry that the body
was taken away. There seems TO be some
mystery about it."
A low chuckle answered him
'sIt's plains the nose on yer face, Captain
Starbright"
"What do you meanr
81 attended to the body. l was down
while the boys was away and fetched the
poor gal up an planted her here"
The hideous hag indicated with tap Of her
foot the center Of the room, which seemed
little higher than the surrounding ground.
"Good heavensi Do you mean that Lura
Joyce's dead body lies here under our very
feetin cried the Captain, his face white and
ghastly In the dim light
'VThat's It exactly. Hold the candle O
mlnnit and I'll show 20 proof"
Mother CABRERA thrust the candle into his
hand and going TO the side Of the room lift
cd spade that leaned against tho stones,
and began digging In the center OF the eel
lar.
'No, no; that will do" cried the Captain,
clammy sweat ooEing out on his face as
the spade struck something beneath the
surface with thud that was sickening.
"Be you satisfied II won't take me
morn minnit-"
"No, 1 want no further proof" groaned
the wicked Captain. ~ am assured that
poor Lura Joyce is dead Let us go up"
"Here Is more proof, IL you need it,
chuokled the hag, at the same time produc
ing soiled envelope, and thrusting 1t To-
ward the Captain. "rm opinioned that the
gal was a-carryin' this fur tho heiress q,
Lone Hollow"
It proved 10 be the letter that Lura Joyce
lost, and had doubtless been stolen by the
bag while telling the girls fortune on the
previous day.
Captain Starbright read the letter with
It's affectionate words for the Stoneheld me
chanic, and felt his muscles harden, his
feelings CONCEAL with rage.
"lwill keep this" he said.
"If you pay for II, you may"
The bag held out 0 bony hand. He thrus
the candle back In her hand and drew fortl
q wallet counting out several bank notes
These he handed over 10 his companion.
"That IL the first installment" be said, h
q low tone, st-.l srrgav III lft t.--0
"When does the next comer' ..5.-
"When I am master Of the Vandibl
rnnliona No ona atanda In NV vvay now