The Red Cloud chief., 1889-03-01

'NothinR doing for . long une.'
"Nothing."
Il imagined 80. Have you visited Lone
Hollow Of late!"
81 haven't"
'Grace Penroy's cousin has arrived"
II heard something about at she vas a.
pected. A great beauty, l s'pose, with Airs
enough To smother Q p~erson!"
"Nothing Of the kind. Shes mannish n
fiery. ldon't like her, and that il why I've
come TO you"
"Wellr,
Mother CABRERA grinned moro pronounced
~. Her eyes were sunken deep under .
narrow skull and looked very like two black,
twinkling beads. There wss the glitter Of
avarice plainly revealed. Her visitor knew
her well, and was cautious enough not -
commit himself in . way that might afser-
ward prove dangerous.
"Sit down and let Us have Q quiet talk,
mother" he said. 1t the same time placing
himself sQuarely on . rickety chair. She
followed his example, and a. they sat there
they made an odd ~plcture-he with his un-
spotted garments, with oiled and combod
locks, she with . gown whose original color
was u~ndiscoverable from grease and dir,
her hsiri in . dubious tanRle and frowDe.
A unique picture indeed.
..Now, then. Mr.. Starbright, 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 xttenuHtcd palm, resembled . senior
Gle OF bones.
I'D like" SAID the Captain, '.for this
newcomer 1t Lone Hollow TO depart from
there Immediately. Her coming has COM
plctely upset my plans, and that is very an
noying, n you may well believe"
"Of course" agreed the crone. you
would like her 70 drop dead with heart dis
ease or somethin' Of the kind. A leetie OF
my cough drops"
.For heavens sake, Mother CABRERA,
stop" he commanded, hoarsely- Il hadn't
such an idea in mind. I wouldn't think OF
numbering the girl. I'm not that sort OF
person. l hope"
A low, whitening chuckle that caused his
flesh to creep interrupted his speech.
He giared 1t his companion. then sprang
TO his feet with . muttered imprecStion
I'm nave nothing 70 do with yOa, old
woman, not . thing"
Then he walked to the door, opened it and
gazeG out into the darkness. He did not go,
however, neither did the crone offer TO pre-
vent. She sat l~mmovable, Rlaring At hum
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 thai night,
and Mother CABRERA knew it.
After . brief moment the Captain closed
the door, slipped . wooden bolt scross the
opening, and turned once moro TO the pro-
prietress.
Il am sorry thai you can not trust me.
Mother Cabrera"
.Nobody but . fool would do that, Clint
Starlight" the woman interrupted. 1T
would take Q heap o sand an soap To wash
your character clean, more'n ! can AFFORD To
perduce."
Il suppose you consider yourself immacu
late"
.1Of course I do; don't you"
There seemed no good to argue the point,
40 Captain Starbright made no further 70
mark, but walked hack and resumed his
seat. A covert smilc about the thin lips OF
the bag proved that he had done nothing
more than she expected. The greater part
OF his indignation WAS simulated, evidently.
snow, then. will listen 10 me IN
silence for q minute. Mother Cabrera"
I'm make = try ont, Cap'n."
"What I wish to ssy il this. II ut any
time during the next fortnight an accident
should happen to Mas Lura Joyce no one
would be found to mourn, and somebody
would find herself considerably richer In
this worlds goods. You understand
i've got pretty good perceptive faculties.
Cap'n."
81 believe you. am not to be known in
this affair ut all; remember that, Mother
CABRERA"
UCcrtalnly.-
"And it must be on accident entirely"
What's the price fur u delightful
work. A girls life ought TO be worth .
good deal these times," chuckled the bag,
unpleasantly.
"A hundred"
"Tushr" she interrupted, angrily. "DO
YOU take me for . common garrOteri Not
y cent less n . thousand would tempt me.
Put tina in your p,pe and smoke it, Cap'n,
dear"
"very well, we will not dispute over the
price"
Again he came to his feet walked TO the
door, hesitated . moment, then returned q
the side Of Mother CABRERA
"Wsw
She regarded him with . queer glitter a
the sunken, bcsdy eycs.
"SOme OF your cough drops, madam
SOupo yVo NV
vial OF the stuR"
IL might"
"Then do 10 and BE- quick about It, for ]
must get back 70 Lone Hollow Immediately"
The bag held out her withered hand.
"Cross my palm with gold and the elixir's
yours"
He drew from his pocket . gold eagle and
droppcd it into her hand. Then shc rose,
emitting o chucklc. and guided swiftly
70 Q cupboard near and opened It. Afes
short time spent in fumbling about among
various articles she returned and placed q
small vial filled with c0lOrless liquid In ms
hand.
IL had it al ready she said. ~ rock
oned you'd be wanting some before long.
The old gent 1t the holler's gettiu' old,
and ne needs sOmethin' s;imulatin' 70 kecV
his gray head above ground. 'Twould he .
pity Of he'd drop Oh with heart disease
some day, an awful shock to the community
like: eh. Cap'n!"
None of that. you bag Of darkness,' re
torted he. with y nervous grip on the deli
cate substance in his hand. II will cal
again in Q abort time. Mother CABRERA"
She went with him 70 the door. and open
ing il saw him pass out into the night A
ne walked silently and swiftly away be
muttcred to himself:
There were no witnesses 10 our meeting
and that was - I wished. Should ans
thing happen. any trouble come Of this. thaa
hays word would count n nothing Agains,
me. am sharp enough not to be csueh,
in q trap. l fstter myself. Had the uSly
twins been present l should never have
made mention Of III object Of my visit
never. an not sure that ! shall need the
contents Of this vial. but II 10 well enough
to be prepared. The poison is 80 subtle n
to defy detection, I Nm told. and II Mother