Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-04-04
LONE HOLLOW;
OF, The Peril Of The Penroys.
A Thrilling and Romantic Story
OF Love and Adventure.
By JAMES II. MEaRIL1, AUTHOR OF "BoGUs
BILL" FISHER JOE" AND
OTHER SToRIEs
lCopyrf1ht, 1859, by the H. ~ KELLOGG Hsscs'
paper Conspany.1

lCopwfoht, 1859, by the H. ~ KELLOGG Tsscs'
paper Conspany.1
CHAPTER XIV.
AN UNPLEASANT INTERRUPTIONS.
"Gonei The win comet II you have iost
thatpape Seekmore Gripes, I'll be the oeatn
Of you," cried Captain Starbright, In stern
voice, in which anger and alarm werc
mingled.
"The wind must have blown it out the
Window returned the lawyer. "a iook
outside will make every thing plain sailing
again."
into the night, flashing the glow up and
down the porch that ran the length Of that
side of the house. He saw nothing of the
lost paper, and as there was scarcely q
movement Of air, it was not likely that the
document had been cast out by the wind.
It was but few feet from the window to
the porch, and both men proceeded at once
to search the premises.
No discoveries were made, however, save
that the imprint Of Foot was found in the
garden where the ground was soft and
damp.
The track was followed to the sidewalk,
where all trace was lost.
"Somebody is on to your tricks, Captain"
said Mr. Gripes, after the twain stood once
more in the lawyers room.
A black look came to the face Of the dis
comfited Captain.
6 It seems evident that a theft has either
been committed, or else -
The ferret eyes of the lawyer were fixed
in a keen gaze On the face of the speaker.
''Well, Captainl"
eOr otherwise you are playing double
gamer
"Indeedi am a gentleman, SIR"
"Doubtless.'
81 have professional honor at stake,
Captain Starbright Rather than go con-
trary to my convictions Of right, sir. would
pluck out my righte eye"
An incredulouS smile moved the tawny
mustache of the Captain.
The lawyer did not seem to be offended,
however. Evidently he understood the man
he was dealing with perfectly. 1t would be
a hard matter to AFRAID the feelings of a
man like Seekmore Gripes, who had been
for more than forty years criminal de-
fender of the most constituencies type.
His class exist and prey on the public in
all large towns, as the reader knows, and
in giving his character an airing no offense
is meant toward that large class of honor
able men who make law their calling in life.
There was no Disgusting the fact that the
will was lost. Gripes knew that it was
stolen, the Captain could not be sure. In any
vent he was puzzled and deeply chagrined.
81 do not understand it." finally muttered
Captain Starbright. ..'Who could wish "a,
destroy the wdll''
''That is not for me to say. You ought to
be posted"
81 can think Of but one who would be ben
Gifted by such villainy,' said the Captain.
'Who is that"
''Mrs. Penroy."
"Exactly"
cit can not be that she has had hand In
this. She hasn't the requisite nerve to do
such thing
"a weak woman, eha" smiled the lawyer.
81 find them the hardest cases in my expert
ence."
s'Then you imagine that she, that faded
widow, without life enough to more than e1-
ist, has comprised ten miles of space at
Light, watched your movements with the
keen eyes Of a detective, and at an oppor-
tune moment snatched this precious paper
from your tableg'
81 can't say that do. It is for you to
draw inferences.'
''Do you intend to go back on me, Mr..
Gripes?"
mot fyou show proper shrewdness"
''What would you advisor
''That you find that will at the earliest
possible moment"
''But that may be impossible. The ono
who would steal the will would not hest
tate to destroy it."
'True enough"
'If the will is destroyed we lose every
thing" =
Undoubtedly"
''Mrs. Penroy being the only direct livinS
heir to Morgan Vandible would inherit
every thing. 1 know she hates me and
she would not hesitate to ="
Il see, / see," interrupted Mr.. Gripes.
"But you must excuse me from further con
sideration of the case tonight. 1t may be
necessary for you to employ detective. IL
this woman you mention is SO timid and
weak, she would hardly dare destroy the
will. 1t may be that she will be open to
compromise. Move cautiously, Captain.
and SEQ her at the earliest moment. It's a
bad piece of business anyhow"
Then the little man resumed his seat at
the table and turned his back ON his client
Ignored completely.
This move On the part of the willy lawyer
did not please Captain Starbright, ana he
secretly resolved on revenge at some future
time. Ss
The Captain promised to call again and
then departed. He had left his horse at
one of the hotel stables. The distance was
nearly half a mile. He had proceeded but a
few rods when pedestrian brushed against
him proceeding from the opposite direction.
At the same moment the Captain felt a
hand touch his As the stranger swept on
Captain Starbright felt a bit of folded pa
per in his palm. 81 ft
Quickly he turned about and called after
the pedestrian. No answer was vouchsafed.
Then the Captain fastened on until the
rays OF . street lamp greeted his vision.
Under this he paused, ami consulted the
paper so strangely thrust into his possession.
''CLINToN STARBRIGHr: The storm Won
have invoked will soon burst. 1 give YOU
fair warming that you may be on the defen-
sive. Nothing you can now do win save
you from the gallows you have dared to
win the Vandible millions. The old million
aire left will, not the enc to which his
name was forged-you are left out in the
cold. "A FORMER FRIEND
The note puzzled and enraged the Captain,
HIS thoughts reverted at once to the person
who had once before thrust q note of warn.
ing into his handouts Fingal. Doubtless
his hand was in thus although the penman
ship was not similar.
By my soulr' calculated Captain Star
bright. as he continued on his way, ''thi.
note inspires me with new hope. can sex
the hound that is working against me.
am not the only one who seeks to win the
Vandlble millions. Who Is that otherl Not
Mrs Penroy; no, NO, but that greasy me
chanic, Wentword, and this Young LOUIS