Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1889-03-21
CHAPTER XI

one watching, Captain Starbright passed
through the gate and walked with deliberate
step down the incline to the foot of the
mound on which stood the Vandlble man
| sion. Here he found his man waiting in the
shadow of some trees.
The Captain led the way into some under
growth until completely hidden from the
road, then he came to a pause and faced his
evil companion.
swell, what have you to tell, Hank Ca
berai"
"The gals did for"
! Explain yourself"
| In few words the villain told how he
and his twin brother had waylaid and muir.
dered dauntless Lura Joyce.
The Captain listened without muscle OF
his countenance moving or exhibiting the
least emotion.
"How came the girl in that
placei"
"She heard 'twasa short cut, presume"
"Do you know this to be factl"
"No.p
"Didn't you or Bill entice her from the
main roadi"
1--WE didn't I'll swear to that, Cap'n."
''Very well. 1t seems that the girl came
TO her death by accident. This is as it
should be. will accompany you to the
| spot and view the body. II all is as you
have told it there will be something
| further"
lizard money!"
"Yes, hard money"
sGoOd.n
A chuckle fell from the r1ufaan's lips.
Then, without more words, the two walked
to the road. Darkness had fallen, and the
twain were not likely to be recognized even
should they chance to meet any one. Soon
they gained the path that led to Mother
Cabera's cabin. Down this the twain
hurried, and in little time they stood be-
fore the hut ITSELF
1.-THE body is inside, supposean
"Nix,' answered the man.
"Where them"
"Bill nor me hain't teehed it sense we
dropped her down yender ontD them rocks.
wouldn't do it. Ell you want to see the
corpse it's your privilege, / sspose.''
Even the calloused heart of the Captain
gave an unwonted throb at this The
thought that the Slender bofiy of their vic
tim lay exposed under the cliff for pany
hours was unpleasant.
"A lantern, quick ordered Captain Star
bright. 81 will investigate. The poor cl lid
must have Christian buraIi in any eve ut
II is awful leaving her there all this time"
1--WE couldn't help it, Calfn. We expecte d
you sooner. Gittin' tired of waiten wen {
for ye," answered the Cap tain's tool, apol-'
ogetically.
Then he entered tho house, returning soon-
bearing lantern in his hand
bill wouldn't come, so / spect I'll hey'
Ter pilot ye to the placs.N
VERY good. Lead the way'
And then the two men set off down ther
path toward the scsm OF the late accidenti.
IL order to gain the foot of the perpendic-
uiar hill 1t was necessary to begin the de-
scent some distance from the spot where
Lur9. Joyce had been hurled into the rocky
gulch
After a scramble among bushes and.
along dangerous places where the loose
pebbles threatened to precipitate them into
eternity, the two men gained the foot Of
the declivity and stood in a damp atmos-
phere at the bottom Of the gulch.
Nov, then. how far is it!''
This from the painting Captain.
"Abont twenty rods, / reckon"
LEAD on, quicklyl" returned Starbright,-
In an impatient voice
The dampness and gloom did not agree
with him, and he was anxious to have his.
uDenviabhe mission over with at the earliest
| possible moment. There seemed something.
uncanny in the surroundings, and for the
| first time feeling akin to fear crept over
the Captain.
Hank CABRERA moved forward, swinging
| his lantern before him. The walking was
| comparatively easy, end soon the lantern
bearer came to halt
"Wellr' demanded Starbright.
Were here, Cap'n"
The Captain felta rising in his throat, but
| he swallowed it with a gutp and pnered for.
ard II
the rays Of his lantern forward.
He thought TO look upon the mangled
:, remains Of the fair girl he had oni e sought
in marriage, and it is little wonder that the
Captain was triie nervous unde q the cir
| cumstances.
Il see no onep' uttered Starbri sht, aftel
| q hasty survey.
Hank CABRERA uttered an imprec alton am
eagerly scanned the rocky ground
"The gal hain't here, for fact, !" be Nut
tered at length. ~ s'pect the wi ID amin lal
has carried her on. +"
"That is absolute nonsense
"Ehl Why is itr'
"f such were the case some trac Q
would be left behind. zee none her {
Your lie won't 60 down, Henry CABRERA"
Its traces you seek, 'ehi What do ye
call thisi" and the man with the lanter
held up bit Of gray Goth that had ezideu
ly been torn loose by jagged point c
rock
The Captain at once felt tH delica' % text
ure. and decided that it w 5 a piece from
wonan's dress, and clog civ resent lied on
that he had seen worn b. : Lnra Joyce.
/ Jest look down her narduer.n
nauA eaoeIa was bending closely owe
tne stones al the iof 4 Of the steep declivity
one huge, grimy finger pointing at IN
ground Inc 20 pain saw and shudderec
mere, uhoer .e mans finger, had been
Pooi ~ Dlooa Mich was now coagulated- !
was norriu reminder OF the awful TRACED
the solemn ocks and trees had witnesse
Dgs Msuy four hours earlier.
. aIg SS tain shuddered and drew BACK.
| cssn sd'ye think now, pardnerF
S "a regarded Captain Starorlgnt WIZ
1T. ling grin. -.
looks as though somebody nad ialle
ns :, surely" admitted the captain, "ous
lst see the body before l viii be convinc.
lat sure thing was made Of the work !.
DO We imagine q gal could fan stxty 70
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