Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-03-07
hen up the incline to the level ground be-

to halt and dism0unted, securing the horse
to sapling.
81 hope Mother CABRERA is at homer he
muttered. ST have business of an impor-
tant nature with her tonight"
He pushed through the bushes at rapid
pace, consuming half -hour's time, per-
haps, in following an ill-defined path, and
then halted in front Of q log cabin built on
the edge of deep gulch.
Night had now fallen, but a light glowed
through the one front window, assuring the
Captain that an occupant was within He
went at once and raped. When the door
opened in answer to his summons he
quickly crossed the threshold, and as it
closed behind him he found himself facing
an Unlocking crone, who had been engaged
in the interesting operation of getting
solace from the stem of black clay pipe.
Eha Cap'n Starbright as live" ejacu-
lated the female, resting the gaunt end of
her under jaw on the end of her thumb as
she spoke, the pipe swinging to and fro at
her side between the fingers of her other
hand.
"D Don't guess again, Mother CABRERA"
said the Captain, with q low laugh. care
you alone"
Don't I look like it?n
eyes. The twins, where are they?"
ION one Of their larks, I reckin. l hain't
seen hide nor hair on 'em in three days
now"
"You ought to learn them better"
"Learn 'em, is it, I'd like to see you," she
interrupted, with a scowl.
81 shall not attempt it at any rate" was
his answer. 81 suppose you are open to
business now as ever, Mother Cabera2'
s'Ef it brings something to keep the pot
a-boilin' Pm ready" she answered, with q
grin.
cit will, you may be sure The fortune
hr1ci Of nj i'm,
Of the year?''
81 should say it was"
"Nothing doing for long time"
"Nothing."
81 imagined 50. Have you visited Lone
Hollow Of late?"
II haven't"
seGrace Penroy's cousin has arrived
81 heard something about at she was ex-
pected. A great beauty, I s'pose, with airs
enough to smother a personP'
"Nothlng Of the kind. She's mannish and
fiery. / don't like her, and that is why I've
come to you"
"Weu?"
Mother CABRERA 9rinned more pronounced
~. Her eyes were sunken deep under q
narrow skull and looked very like two black,
twinkling beads. There was the glitter of
her well, and was cautious enough not to
commit himself In a way that might after
ward prove dangerous.
sit down and let us have quiet talk,
MOTHER" he said, at the same time placing
himself squarely on q rickety chair. She
followed his example, and as they sat there
they made an odd picture-he with his un-
spotted garments, with oiled and combed
locks, she with gown whose original color
was undiscoverable from grease and dirt,
her hair in dubious tangle and frowze.
A unique picture indeed.
'sNow, then, Mr. Starbri9ht, I'm all ears, -
| she said, carefully depositing her clay pipe
on the door, and leaning forward until her
gaunt form, with pointed chin resting on
her attenuated palm, resembled semicir-
| Gle of bones.
I'D like said the Captain, "for this
newcomer at Lone Hollow to depart from
| there Immediately. Her coming has COM
pletely upset my plans, and that Is very an
| noying, as you may well believe"
"Of COURSE" agreed the crone. "You
would like her to drop dead with heart dis
ease or somethin' of the kind. A leetle OF
my cough drops"
'For heavens sake, Mother CABRERA,
| stop!' he commanded, hoarsely. 81 hadn't
| numbering the girl. I'm not that sort OF
person. 1 hope"
A low, whitening chuckle that caused his
flesh to creep interrupted his speech.
| He glared at his companion, then sprang
to his feet with a muttered imprecation. :
| "pn have nothing to do with you, old
| woman, not a thing"
Then he walked to the door, opened it and
gazed out into the darkness. He did not 60
however, neither did the crone offer to pre-
vent. She sat lmmovable, glaring at hin
with her black. beady eyes in way most
unpleasant. She knew Captain Starbright
even better than he knew himself. He had
come to the cabin for purpose that night
and Mother CABRERA knew it.
After q brief moment the Captain CLOSED
the door, slipped q wooden bolt across the
opening, and turned once more to the pro
prietress.
81 am sorry that you can not trust me
Mother CABRERA"
ssNobody but fool would do that, Clint
Starbright," the woman interrupted. I'll
| would take heap O. sand an soap to wast
your character clean, more'n can afford t.
perduce.''
II suppose you consider yourself immacu
late.''
ssOf course do; don't your
There seemed no good to argue the point
50 Captain Starbright made no further re
mark, but walked back and resumed his
seat A covert smile about the thin lips o.
the bag proved that he had done nothius
more than she expected. The greater part
of his indignation was simulated, evidently
"Now, then, will you listen to me il
silence for a minute, Mother Cabera!''
"rn make q try ont, Cap'n."
"What wish to say is this. If at any
time during the next fortnight an accident
should happen to Mss Lura Joyce no one
would be found to mourn, and somebody
would find herself considerably richer IL
this worlds goods. You UNDERESTIMATE
1--WE got pretty good perceptive faculties
Cap.n."
81 believe YOU I am not to be known il
this affair at all; remember that, Mother
| CABRERA"
Certainly"
"And it must be on accident entirely"
"What's the price fur such delightful