The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-12-06
LONE HOLLOW;
Or, The Peril Of the PonloyS.
4 Thrilling and Romantic Story
Of Love and Adventure.
BIZ JAMES M. MlRRLL> AUTHOR OF BOGUS
BILL" "TIsHER JOl" AND
OTHER STORIEA
ECtpvrifh, Isss, BY the A. N. KELLOGG Nssss'
Paper Conap0nv.1
CHAPTER /.
DAHTLID TnAHPR.

CHAPTER L
BAITLID ThAMPR
HHelp-help"
It was q woman's cry, and rang out In
piteous terror through the aisles Of the dim
old woods.
A young girl stood with her back against
the trunk Of q tree, with extended hands, Q
look Of terror on her white, beautiful face.
At her feet lay strewn q mass Of forest
flowers, some Of them partially woven into
Awreeth.
The object Of the girls terror was re-
vealed in the form Of man, black and fierce
booking, with bushy beard, uncouth dress
and the swagger Of low-bred rufaan. He
had pushed his way suddenly into the mar
row glade occupied by the young girl, and
h was low chuckle from his lips that
caused her to start to her feet.
"Come here an let me kiss you, pretty"
uttered the man.
Then he began to move toward her. 1t
WAS at this moment that she gave utter
Ance to the cry of alarm that opens our
story.
The man was stranger to Grace Penroy,
and his forbidding aspect quite frightened
her, even aside from his threatening words.
"Don't touch me, sir" pleaded Grace. in
low voice. She was too deeply terrified
now to speak loudly or to cry out as she had
lone ct the outset.
"Go fur her, Bill. I'll stand to yer back.
Kiss her, and then Well see what's next to
- did"
And then q second man, far worSe-look-
ing than the first, pushed into view. he
vas ragged, dirty and blear-eyed, his sandy
hair and beard not having made the &C
Quaintance Of comb or brush in months, ap-
parently. They were certainly as ill-look-
ing pair Of tramps as one would meet
within q thousand miles journey.
Grace Penroy was now too frightened to
utter word Her Eood seemed to freeze
n her veins, and a chill stole over every
aerve, rendering her rigid and motionless
IS . statue.
A grant Of satisfaction fell from the lips
II the man addressed as Bill, and with
uuick stride he stood at the side of the
startled girl.
"HalpI'
A cry did come to the pallid lips, but this
pnly served to enrage the vicious tramp.
Hs grated his teeth and shook her fieroely.
"ru rarnye, he missed. at the same time
lraw,ng the paralyzed girl toward him.
That moment was an awful one to poor
Grace Penroy A fate worse than death
stared her in the face. She remembered
then the prophesy of an old gypsy that the
family Of Ponroy was destined to 60 down
h woe to final extinction. She could see
Mo wrinkled, hideous face of the bag proph-
stess. and it took On the outlines of tho
tramp's wicked countenance.
"Don't yell if you don't want to dieW
Kissed the rufian, drawing her, unresist-
Ing now, toward him. His hyenical grin
Was repulsive. His breath famed her
cheek. She was ready to faint with fright
when an interruption came that was both
Dtartlil-. and unexpected.
A sullen thxd. awful in its distinctness,
fell on the ear Of Grace Penroy. The clutch
IN her arm suddenly relaxed and the giant
ramp sank, limp as dishrag, at her feet.
Grace reeled and clutched q small saphng
Tor support. At her fe.t lay the ruf1an,
With blood upon his black countenance. A
heavy object had shot from tree-top upon
his head, that object now lying beside him
"A short, siiver-mounted rife, the butt Of
which had done deadly work.
Tho second tramp was startled.
He glanced about in evident alarm, but,
seeing no one, made sudden move to seize
Tho rife. He was not quick enough to a.
pomplish his design, however. Adark form
shot through the leaves and stood beside the
Yrostrate tramp-a youth Of slender form,
who snatehed the rife from its resting
place and p - ted the muzzle at the breast
II the discounted tramp.
"If you don't care to die, you will move
L."
There was low sternness in the voice
hat was effective. Tramps are proverbially
towards, and this one was no exception.
Ge retreated suddenly, and began to beg
~ mercy.
"Dont stop to beg" cried the boy, sheer
hEly. 1.-THE country has no use for such
veraain, and I had IS lief shoot you as not
0eW
but wheeled and fed at the top Of his
Speed. Then the rescuer Of female limo
penoe faced Grace Penroy.
He Was handsome youth Of apparently
twenty. His face was dark, his black hair
hanging in Ion g, wavy masses to his shout
lers. His upper lip was adorned with 9
black mustache. His dress was plain, YET
pf Ane cloth, and his rather small feet were
Sncased in heavy shoes.
One Of his hands had q blood-stain across
kwhere it had been scratched by twig.
Miss Penroy, believe" SAID the young
man, lifting his gray cap with smile thai
revealed rows Of even white teeth.
ayes, sir" she answered, opening hel
honest gray eyes wide with establishment
"You are q stranger to me-" she con
Gluded, after . moment.
81 suppose 80. But few people in anG
about Stonefeld, or Lone Hollow, know
Louis Nngal; even you never heard the
name venture to say"
II never did until this moment" ad
mitted Grace, blushing prettily under his
earnest gaze.
"You may learn more of me in the
future" he said, leaning thoughtfully OF
his handsome rife.
81 hope 30. owe you much Will yor
not come to the housel Grandfather viii
Be pleased to see one who has befriendei
his pct grandchild. It oil seems strange Il
mo. You were up in q tree. I do not fully
understand it even now"
She shuddered and chung more tightly Il
ne sapling for support. while her homes
kfay eyes regarded his handsome face
Questioningly.
II was in the woods cunning, looking fol
deer. I know that old hunters some
times watch Q deer-tral from an ele
vated perch-my brother always did, ant
be WAS one of the most successful Nimrods
IN tho West"
sAnd were you perched up there watch
ing Tor deeri' questioned innocent Grace
ssThat's about the truth Of it," he ad
mitted
"Bat there hasn't been deer in thes
woods IN years," and she laughed for tn
Arst time
5000 heulaova IN d;fPar With vos, <haru
Nh reoroy."
dBut I know" affirmed the girl I"
hsve hyed q Lone hollow for vaare an.