Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-03-28
LONE HOLLOW;
Or, The Peril Of the Penroys.
A Thrilling and Romantic Story
OF Love and Adventure.
By JAMES NJ. MERRILL. AUTHOR or "BO0Us
BILL" FISHER JOE" And
OTHER STORIES.
[Copyrtoht, 1883, by the a. ". Kstl01g N1sOs
paper Conspdny1
CHAPTER Xn-CoNr1NurD. !

CHAPTER XL-CoNTINUKD. l,5a
His BRAN was in q whirl, and he was not
at ease by any means. Hank CABRERA had
seen his hand and might prove dangerous
in the time 70 come.
~ fear that forgot prudence when let
$50 much be known to that low scoundrel,"
unused the Captain; shut then what can it
matterf do not believe that the body of
the dead girl will ever be found. She was
only poor orphan any how, and the hub
bub will soon die out. Once step into old
Vandible's shoes can defy the world.
Money is the lever that moves all mankind,
and with that I am utterly safe. have
zone too far now to recede My hand is laid
at the root of the tree and will proceed to
the contamination. 1 have the subtle poison
and that must do its work at once.
"It's lucky Wentword did not get that
letter. pl answer it myself, or send some
thing to widen the breach between Grace
and the mechanic
Il did seem that every thing worked to
the success Of the scheming villains plans.
When Captain Starbright reached Lone
Hollow at q late hour in the evening he was
met with the announcement from Grace
that her grandfather was i'll and in bed
81 hope he is not seriously Sick" said the
Captain.
"Troubles do not come singly," returned
Grace. 81 think it is worry more than
aught else. over the disappearance of Lura,
that has FRUSTRATED grandpa"
"Old people are apt to borrow trouble.
will go up and see the old man if you will
permit it."
Certainly. You may be able to cheer
him up a bit. Any news from LuraT'
None. You have heard none2"
SHOT a word. lam looking for the worst
now" declared Grace, in q tremulous voice
BE firm. my dear Grace" he urged in q
tender, hopeful voice. IS ! am not yet will
ing to give up hope"
Grace turned away, ready to cry, and the
Captain hurried at once to the spacious bed
room on the first floor allotted to old Morgan
Vandible. 1t was the largest room of the
kind in the house. The furniture was
massive, and Of ancient pattern, the huge,
high-posted bedstead reminding one of Noah
and his ark.
The curtains about the bed werc pushed
back, and gray, sunken face lay among
the pillows. The old man was breathing
heavily and groaning.
"Do be quiet, father, you aren't half as
bad of as you pretend"
It was Mrs. Penroy who uttered the
words. She sat some distance from the
bed, rocking gently, and agitating the air
about her thin face with huge feather
fan, seemingly utterly Indifferent to the suf-
ferings Of the sick old man. -
I'm going TO die, / tell you," groaned
Mr. Vandible. 81 guess know how feel
You haven't any heart, Martha, and never
had. II Grace was like you wouldn't leave
her cent. She's q Penroy, every inch of
her. Heaven bless the grill My children
were all bad, the last one of 'em-'
"Just like their father, anyhow inter-
rupted the widow, spitefully.
A groan alone answered the heartless
words Of q heartless daughter.
1t was true, as the old man had asserted.
Grace Penroy was like her father, gentle.
kind and true, and it was these qualities
that had endeared the golden-haired girl to
the old millionaire. It was undoubtedly
true, also, that had his Erandchild been
like her mother she would never have been
mentioned in connection with an inherit
ance.
Captain Starbright advanced and stood
by the bed. The moment the old man saw
him his countenance frightened.
II am glad you have come, Captain.
am going to die, and need your advice-n
II hope it is not so bad as that" said the
couch and sat down.
ut . just that bad, - declared Mr.. Vandi-
BILE. "Send her out, will youf"
OF course, this last referred to Mrs. Pom
roy.
With toss Of her head the woman rose
to go.
s.Don't let him make fool of Won, Captain
Starbright, as he has done of every body
else about this house"
With this parting shot the woman was
gone.
Eyes, I'm gong to die this time, surep'
declared Mr.. Vandible. the moment Mrs.
Penroy was gone, ssand want your advice'
sAbout whata"
s.About making will"
ssIntleed y,
The Captain was interested at once
RI want to ask you whom had best en-