Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1889-02-14

POSSESSED IN the young mdnG IdVOf. IN spite
Of the fact that he wore long hair and was
very plain spoken.
After a little reflection Fingal continued
in Grace's company, and the two in a little
time came in sight of a rambling stone
dwelling built upon an elevation that occu
pied the exact center of vast basin, whose
sides were covered with trees and bushes
CHAPTER II.
AT LONE HOLLOW
As we have SAID, rambling stone man
sion doomed up on the summit of a mound
basin or hollow.
The elevated land was not raised as higl
as the surrounding country; on the con
trary, the hills about the basin were fully
up to line with the highest point of the
roof on the dwelling in the hollow. 1t was
fully mile from the spot where the girl
and young man stood to the farther side OF
the sink beyond the dwelling
The country presented weirdly wild ap
pearance, not human habitation being Wis
IDLE save the stone house in the hollow.
A wagon road wound its way down the
side of the hill and passed up the elevation
past the front Of the old house, losing itself
beyond, but again appearing on the further
rise, cutting squarely through the low, yet
dense growth of trees on its summit. II
would seem that Grace Penroy had wan
dered some distance from the home roof on
this quiet, cloudleSs summer day. IL was
nothing new for her, however.
THAT is Lone Hollow" uttered Fingal,
musingly ut is well named, that is GER
tain.''
Yes, think So" return ed Grace 'The
house is old, having been built by my ma
ternal grandfather"
Have you lived here all your lifei'
. Indeed, no. We have been here scarce
ly more than year
"Wep
Mother, grandfather and r.
{" And your father!"
:" Is dead,n she answered. mournfully.
" II was an accident. A vicious horse flung
him, and neighbors found him by the road
side dead-that was two years ago"
" Yes. Where were you living therl'
The young man seemed extremely curl
Gus, but Grace felt no offense 1t had been
long time since she had met one of her
own age with whom shO could talk, ana so
she INDUCED herself freely on the present
occasion.
g We were living not far from Detroit
fathers business was in that city,
"Indeedl Do you like this lonesome
place"
" At first Ibid not"
8 / see. You have become accus toned TO
the solemn old place"
g Yes, in q measure
DO you often wander so far from home
as to-days 1t seems to me not wholly safe
for you to do SOL persisted Fingal.
-.
to do as please. | expect, when my cousin
comes, | shall take immense pleasure in
visiting all the noted scenes and wild places
no little enthusiasm.
"You tell me you have never seen your
cousin. Certainly you do not know that
you viii like her.
mo, but then mean to. 1t certainly
will be her fault if | do not, declared
Grace, emphatically.
~ believe so myself he returned. smil-
ing into the pretty, flushed face his beau
tiful companion. 'There are noted spots in
this vicinity, you tell metz
MANY just mile TO the west is Hang
mans Gulch, where It's said one Of the first
settlers was lynched for murder. Then
have heard that not far from this hollow Is
secreted himself several days from his pur-
suers. You see, we live in a romantic re-
gion
II should say So, agreed Fingal. :, You
ought to be a poet, or an artist, Miss
Penroy, then you might immortallze the
country roundabout.
They walked on then, descending the hill,
following the wagon road along up the next
incline to the front door of the old mansion
On the porch an old man sat smoking u
pipe His hair was white as the driven
snow, his face smooth-sh after the
manner of olden times. His dress was
quaint and old, and altogether he presented
the appearance of me of the revolutionary
patriarchs.
He sat in huge armchair as old and as
quaint as himself, while at his side, lean.
ing against his knee, ws.J heavy cane cut
from the native woods.
He removed his pipe when he saw the
two young people coming up the broad
gravcled walk, pushing with wrinkled
fingers his glasses high upon his bald
brows.
"Ehl It's Oracle, and-and, yes, by the
beard of the prophet, it's young man
Confound it; confound 1t, sayi One young
man is enough for girl Haven't | told
her"
Grandpa, this is Mr.. Fingal. He saved
my life, and want you to thank him, as
can not, for the act. Mr.. Flngal, Grandpa
Vandible"
Then Grace went in to her mother leaving
the two gentlemen together.
. Excuse me- said Mr.. Vandible, as he
shook the strangers hand without rising
"rve got the stiffness Of old age in my
bones, and can't get up and down as once
could.n
Certainly, sir.'
Fingal laid his rife carefully aside and
accepted chair that stood near.
Grace says YOU saved her life What
did she meant I'm sure the huzzy ought
not TO Pct herself in danger. I've warned
her enough, yes, have. But there's no end
Of trouble one has with the girls, confound
'em, yes. I say, confound EN-
Then Mr Vandible readjusted Ills glasses,
and petted hiscane gently while hcrcsumed
his smoking.
Fingal explained the meaning of Grace's
words. and when he had modestly told his
story the old man $ cane fell with mighty
crash TO the floor Up went the glasses
once more, and the Pipe was quickly removed
from his lips
"confound it, confound It, fsay,'' uttered
Mr. Vandible.
1T isn't really safe for a young girl to &c
out unattended asserted Fiugal, after q
moment.
"No, it amt, that's a fact. I've talked
till all was blue to keep Grace from running
wild in this way, but might just Us well
talk to a fence-post. I had I'll tell you, my
young friend, one thing,n and the old man
laid his hand on Fingal's knee and regarded
him with queer pucker Of the gray lips,
speaking evidently in confidence, sTve tried
TO have Grace marry protector. have
Such a comical look came TO the old fell
low face as TO bring q smile 70 the lips oil
| Fingal in spite Of his efforts at gravity as
befitted tho occasion.
s'Could she do thatan queried the young
man, quickly. in order 10 escape being
thought rude. fss
Gould shea Could Grace Pcnroy marry
Great MahQmst. Young chap, there isn,t !