Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-03-21
LONE HOLLOW,
Or, The Peril Of the Penroys.
a Thrilling and Romantic Story
OF Love and Adventure.
BY JAMES M. MERRILL, AUTHOR OF "BOGU!
BILL" FISHER JOE" AND
OTHER STORIES.
rCopyrioM, 1859, By the n. ~ Kellogg Nss0s-
paper C0nspany.1
CHAPTER x.

. ...7 N CHAPTER x.
CONSERVATION AT LONE HOLLOW.
Grace Penroy waited anxlously tho return
OF her messenger to Stonefeld. The night
passed without her JOINING, ard Grace rose
early, little rested, so anxious was she to be
once more on good terms with her lover.
No alarm was felt until late in the fore
noon, when Grace noticed Romeo standing
IN the road near the stables whinnying to be
admitted. %" -
Captain Starbright came sauntering up
the walk. He managed to pass most Of his
time in or about Lone Hollow, but since the
coming of Lura Joyce he had made no ad-
vances in his suit for the hand of Grace; in
consequence the heiress was learning to re-
gard him with considerable less aversion
than formerly.
"Isn't that Romeo down yonder, Captain?'
questioned Grace, who stood on the veranda
as the Captain came up. ,,t-
SIT looks like Mad Lura's horse, surely"
returned Captain Starbright, as he glanced
toward the road. 81 wonder where his mis-
tress isl" 49,
"She went to Stonefeld yesterday"
"And rode Romeoa"
eyes"
Captain Starbright turned on his heel and
hurried at once to the stable. If he expect
ed to meet Lura Joyce he was mistaken.
Romeo stood by the road gate whinneying
to be admitted. The Captain led the horse
to his stall. He noticed that the horse was
saddled. and he wondered at the non-appear-
ance Of the animals mistress.
) "You did not see Lura?" "a "a
Grace Penroy's face was white as she put
the question to the Captain on his return.
81 did not" $3.50
He twisted his cane and looked thought
full. and perhaps q trifle uneasy.
{" The horse was saddled?" d
eyes"
"Then something has happened to Lura,' -
cried Grace, in a distracted voice.
Don't borrow trouble
But Romeo is vicious, and I have al
ways feared that he would be the death Of
Lura- lam sure something terrible has
happened" persisted Grace. eco at once,
Captain Starbright, and look for her. Sum-
mon the servants and move quickly. If any
thing has happened ] shall never forgive
myself" and Grace wrung her hands and
looked distressed indeed.
A vague suspicion entered the mind of
Captain Starbright as he turned away to
obey the orders of the mistress of Lone
Hollow.
"If something has happened. it will be \
glad day for me-" unused the Captain. q
faint smile lifting the wings OF his tawny
mustache. e.s ~ rsrt4 ss1l7t-
He FASTENED to the stable, saddled one of
bis grays and was soon galloping swiftly
away in the direction Of St0nefield.
No one had met or seen the girl, and when
the Captain returned to Lone Hollow late In
the day he brought no news of the missing
girl -n
The servants secured the vicinity without
success. Old Mr.. Vandlble was worked up
to fever heat, while his granddaughter was
nearly crushed with grief.
know something terrible has. hap
pened," declared poor Grace, again and
again. s ss
Confound it, what business had Lura
to go away, I'D like to knowa think girl
of her age ought to know something. The
idea Of riding vicious horse unaccompanied
over that lonely road, with tramps and
wild animals thick IS fleas on dog, is pre-
sumptuous, yes, presumptuous, say"
Then the old man would bring his cane
down with q tremendous thump that would
make things jingle.
ssGrandpa, don'tn pleaded Grace. 81,
mas all my fault sent Cousin Lura."
"You sent her For what, I'd like to
1knowi The idea-yes. the ideal say, offs
girl trapeslng on Just at night after knick
1knacks not worth q sixpence. II the girls
dead, her neck broke fri m her folly and
%suEA 0race Penroy, reckon the lesson Y