The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1889-03-22

CHAPTER XIL-CONTINUED.
His brain was in whirl, and he was not
at ease by any means. Hank CABRERA had
seen his hand and might prove dangerous
in the time TO come.
81 fear that forgot prudence when let
50 much be known to that low scoundrel,"
unused the Captain; shut then what can it
matterl / 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 am utterly safe. have
gone too far now to recede Ny hand is laid
at the root of the tree and will proceed to
the consummation. 1 have the subtle poison
and that must do its work at once.
sits lucky Wentword did not get that
letter. I'll answer it myself, or send some
thing to widen the breach between Grace
and the mechanic"
1t did seem that every thing worked to
the success of the scheming villains plans.
When Captain Starbright reached Lone
Hollow at 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 bit Amy news from Lura!''
80 None Won have heard nooe2r
"Not word. am looking for the worst
now" declared Grace, in tremulous voice.
"Be firm, my dear Grace" he urged in
tender, hopeful voice. " / 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 We're pushed
back, and a 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 off as you pretend"
Il was Mrs. Pen-oy 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, l tell you," groaned
Mr.. Vandible. II guess know how feel
You haven't any heart, Martha, and never
had. If Grace was like you wouldn't leave
her cent. She's 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 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. 1t was undoubtedly
true, also, that had his grandchild 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.
81 am glad you have come, Captain. I
Am going to die, and need your advice"
Il hope it is not so bad as that" said the
Captain, as he drew a chair beside the
couch and sat down.
cit is just that bad" declared Mr.. Vandi-
bic. Send her out, will youl''
OF course, this last referred to Mrs. Pen
roy.
With a toss of her head the woman rose
to go.
don't let him make fool of you, Captain
Starbright, as he has done of every body
else about this house,
With this parting shot the woman was
gone.
Yes, I'm gong to die this time, surel"
declared Mr.. Vandible the moment Mrs.
Penroy was gone, ''and want your advice"
"About what"
about making a will.n
'Indeedr'
The Captain was interested at once.
Il want to ask you whom l had best en-
ploy about drawing it up. l want It good
and solid, to hold water, for don't want
any body picking flaws with it after am
dead''
mo, of course not. Haven't you a good
lawyer!"
mo. Inever patronized them. l man
aged to get on well enough, and lay up
money, without consulting a crafty lawyer
less you have to do with such chaps the bet
ter"
"A very good motto"
"Yes," with a low laugh ain the pres
ent case, however, l suppose a lawyer must
come in"
Il suppose So"
"Whom would you recommends,
"You trust TO my judgment on this sub
ject?" Qucried the Captain, elated in spite
of himself at the turn affairs were taking.
Implicitly"
"Then would name Seekmore Gripes, Of
Stonefield. have always found him relia-
blen
"Very well-send for him"
I" In the morningl''
"Now"
Captain Starbrlght came to his feet, then |
seemed to hesitate.
"Is it necessary for such great hasten
''Do as bid ordered the old man. ''If |
I die without making my will the migrate |
full Martha will get my property, and l |
don't mean that she shall have penny"
81 will send for the lawyer at once, and |
Tor pbysician?'
'sNo, no. Send Grace here. 1 will see |
none of the leeches, confound EN-" growled |
the old man, in such a fierce way as to |
prove conclusively to the Captain that |
Vandible was not in such desperate straits
Is he imagined.
He left the room, found Grace and sent |
her in to her grandfather, and then went
forth to the stables.
'Tn go myself" he muttered. 81 don't
believe the old man will die tonight, but
it's well enough to have every thing pre-
pared lean see that every thing will go
10 Grace. II can make il contingent on
her marrying me, Q master-stroke will be !
IN. know I can trust Seekmore Gripee.
He'd sell his soul for pelf" Soon after tho