The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-12-13
CHAPTER x.

passed without her coming, and 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 standinn
in the road near the stables whnnying to be
admitted.
Captain Starbright came sauntering ur
the walk. He managed to pass most of his
time in OF 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 2?
questioned Grace, who stood on the veranda
as the Captain came up
cit looks like Mad Luras horse, surely, d
returned Captain Starbright, as he glanced
toward the road. II wonder where his mis-
tress is?"
''She went to Stonefeld yesterday"
Sand rode Romeo?"
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,hn he wondered at the non-appear
ance of the animals mistress.
You did not see Lura!"
Grace Fenroy's face was white as she put
the question to the Captain on his return.
81 did not"
He twisted bis cane and looked thought,
full, and perhaps trifle uneasy.
The horse was saddled?"
Co-'-
II do believe 1 shall have to turn back as
Il is" sighed the bewildered girl. Then
she glanced up at the sky to note the fact
that it was almost night, and that clouds
we're gathering adown the western HORIZON.
"Night and storm coming"
There was solemn ring in the words,
and at that moment Lura would have given
a goodly sum to have been safely housed at
Lone Hollow. She found herself in an open
woods, the ground level and grass-grown.
The place was pleasant enough, but the
solitude was depressing. Remembering
her letter she thrust her hand into her
bosom to draw it forth.
A low cry escaped her lips.
The letter was gonei
"Confound it, what business nau Lufu
to go away, I'd like to know? think girl
of her age ought to know something the
idea of riding vicious horse unaccompanled
over that lonely road, with tramps and
wild animals thick as fleas on dog, is pre-
sumptuous, yes, presumptuous, say"
Then the old man would bring his cane
down with tremendous thump that would
make things jingle.
sGrandpa, DON'T" pleaded Grace. "lt
was all my fault. sent Cousin Lura."
'sYou sent her For what, I'd like tc
knows The idea-yes, the ideal say, OF
girl trapeslng off just at night after knlck-
knacks not worth sixpence. If the glrfs
dead, her neck broke from her folly and
yours, Grace Penroy, I reckon the lesson u
be a mighty useful one for both of you; yes.
for both of you hity-tity girls, say
Then the old man stamped up and down
the porch, humping his cane after every
other word in a way that, on another occa'
sion, would have been laughable in the ex-
IRENE.
The shades of night came with 40 news
of the missing Lura. Captain Starbrlgh'
felt like congratulating himself. II sn &C
cident had happened it would prove
lucky circumstance for him.
He had been only too anxious 10 have the
determined Miss Joyce out OF his path, that
he might have no Object n the way OF the
full accomplishment OF ~ schemes. lie
hoped that she had really met with an acct
dent that would prevent further interior
ence on her part.
"Oh, Captain, what shall, what can we
doa" moaned Grace, appealing to Captain
Starbright in way that almost touched his
hardened heart.
1--WE can only hope for the best" he re-
turned.
"Do you think we have any reason tt
hope?"
He saw that she was anxious for him te
speak words of cheer, and so he would moi
disappoint her, for the Captain was ex
tremely anxious to gain the good will OF the
heiress who had once snubbed him for his
hasty familiarity.
81 think we have good ground for hope
Grace he said, in a reassuring tone
'Really, 1 haven't the least idea that any
thir g serious has befallen your cousin.
f.xve known the young lady for some time
and can assure you that, though reckless
and high-strung, she il abundantly able tt
take care of herself.n
'sThen how do you account for her not re-
turning honea'
81 do not pretend to account for it," he
answered "What was the errand tina,
took her to Stonefelda"
He regarded Miss Penroy keenly as be
put the question.
ga little affair of our own"
(which does not concern me, eha" re-
torted the Captain, with low laugh.
Grace passed into the house without
speaking again. The Captain muttered
aomethinx. not exactly pohta under biz