The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-12-06
CHAPTER vi.

| CHAPTER VI
| AN OMNIBUS CONFAB.
Captain Starbright stood biting his mus
tached lip without moving Had he not
known Lura Joyce SO intimately he would
have thought nothing of her remark that
she Kissed holly in his ear. He knew the
determined nature Of the girl however.
| --.- 49,
and realized that his plot for million was
| about to be frustrated unless something
happened to remove Lura Joyce from his
path.
| tai decision.
He did not follow Miss Joyce into the
| house, but walked down the steps and hur-
| ried swiftly away to the stable. Here he
| saddled one of his grays, led him forth, and
| sooD galioped swiftly down into the hollow,
| then up the incline to the level ground be-
| yOnd.
Before going 4 mile the horseman turned
his animal into the thick bushes lining the
| road, and after going a short distance came
to a halt and diSmounted, securing the horse
to a sapling.
=" l hope Mother CABRERA is at home" he
muttered. Il 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 a log cabin built On
the edge of a deep gulch.
Night had now fallen, but a light glowed
through the one front window, assuring tho
Captain that an occupant was within. Ho
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
i'll the interesting operation Ct getting
solace from the stem of black clay pipe
Eth! Cap'n Starbright as live" ejacu-
lated the female, resting the gaunt end OF
her under jaw on the end Of her thumb az
she spoke the Pipe swinging 10 and fro at
her side between the fingers of her other
hand
Don't guess again, Mother Cabrera"
said the Captain, with a low laugh. care
you alone"
"Don't look like it!'
eyes. The twins, where are tEey!"
Con one Of their larks, l reckin. l hain'
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 q scowl.
81 shall not attempt it at any rate" Was
his answer. Il suppose you are open to
business now as ever, Mother Cabcra?"
"Ef it brings something to keep the pot
a-boilin' Pm ready" she answered, with
grin.
cit will, you may be sure. The fortune
telling business must be dull at this season
Of the year!'
81 should say it was.''
''Nothing doing for q long time?'
"Nothing."
''Iimagined so. Have you visited Lone
Hollow of latea"
IL haven't"
'Grace Penroy's cousin has arrived"
81 heard something about at she was cx-
pected. A great beauty, s'pose, with airs
enough to smother persona"
"Nothlng of the kind. She's mannish and
| fiery don't like her, and that is why I've
come to YOU"
"Well!'
Mother CABRERA grinned more pronounced
| ly. Her eyes were sunken deep under a
narrow skull and looked very like two black,
| twinkling beads. There was the glittero
avarice plainly revealed. Her visitor knc"
| her well, and was cautious enough not TO
| commit himself in way that might alter
ward prove dangerous.
est down and let us have quiet talk,
mother" he said, at the Same time placing
| himself squarely on rickety chair. Ohe
| followed his example, and as they sat there
they made an odd picture-he with his un.
spotted garments, with oiled and comoed
| locks, she with gown whose original color
was undiscoverable from grease and DIRT,
| her hair in a dubious tangle and frowze
A unique picture indeed.
'sNow then, Mr.. Starbright, Pm all ears,
she SAID, carefully depositing her clay pipe
on the floor, and leaning forward until her
gaunt form, with pointed chin resting on
her attenuated palm, resembled senior
Gle of bones.
I'D like" SAID the Captain, "for TINS
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 soInethin' of the kind 4 leetle Oh
my coughdrops-"
ssFor heavens sake, Mother CABRERA,
stop!" he commanded, hoarsely. II hadn't
such an idea in mind. I wouldn't think OF
numbering the girl. I'm not that SORT Oh
person. hope"
A low, whitening chuckle that caused BIS
flesh to creep interrupted his speech.