The Red Cloud chief., 1889-02-15
LONE HOLLOW:
o., Tia Pal Of The Penrgyx
A Thrilling and Romantic Story
OF Love and Adventure.
By JAMES NJ NKRRuI. AUTHOR OF .Boous
BILL" "FIsHER JOE" AID
OxHHR STORIES.
CHAPTER !.
BAFTLRD

CHAPTER
BAEYLRD TRAMPA
~"Help-hep!r
II was Q womAn's cry, and rang out in
pifeous terror through the aisles OF the dim
old woods.
A youDg girl stood with her hack against
the trunk Of a tree. with extended hands, q
look OF terror On her white, beautiful face.
At her feet lay strewn q MASS Of forest
flowers, some OF them partially woven into
a wreath.
The object OF the girls terror was re-
vealed in the form OF a man. black and fierce
looking, with bushy beard, uncouth dress
and the swaggcr OF q low bred ruf1ian. He
had pushed his way suddenly into the mar
ruw glade occupied by the young girl, and
IL was a low chuck from his lips that
caused her to start TO her feet.
Come here an let me kiss you, pretty"
uttered the man.
hen he began TO move toward her. 1t
was ut this moment that she gave utter
ance to the cry OF alarm that opens our
story.
The man was q stranger TO Grace Penroy,
aud tbs forbidding aspect quite frightened
acr. even aside from his threatening words
Don't touch me, sir" pleaded Grace. IN
a low Voice. She WAS too deeply terrified
now TO speak loudly or to cry out as she hat
done al the outset.
"Go fur her. Bill. III stand 10 yer bach.
Kiss her, and then We'll see what : next to
TIC did
And then a second man, far wOrse-lOok
ing than the frs. pushed into view. He
was ragged. dirty and blear-eyed, his sandy
hair and beard not having made the &c
quaIntsnce of comb or brush L.: months, ap-
parently. They were certainly AS i'll Hook
ing a pair of tramps AS one would meet
within a Thousand miles journey.
Grace Pcuroy wa now too frightened u
utter a word. Her blood seemed 10 freeze
IN her veins, and a chill stole over every
nerve, rendering her rigid and motionlcss
rs 4 statue.
Acrunto Of satisfaction fell from the lips
of the man addressed as Bill, and with u
quick stride he stood AT the side Of the
startled girl.
Hep"
cry did conc 10 the pallid lips. but this
only served 10 enrage the vicious tramp.
lie grated his teeth and shook her ticrcely.
-Inrarn ye," he Kissed, al the same time
drawing the paraiyzci giri toward HIM
That moment was an awful one 10 poor
D I" h"h' 49,
stared tier in the face. She remembered
then the prophcsy of an Old gypsy that the
family of Pcnroy was destined 10 go down
in woe 10 final extinction. She could see
the wrinklcd, hidcous face Of the hag proph-
c,ess, and il took on the outlines Of the
tralnp's wicked countenancc.
Don't yell if you don't want TO de-
Missed the ruhian, drawing her, unrcsist-
ing now, toward him. His hyenicad grin
was rcpuisive. His breath famed her
cheek. She WAS ready 10 faint with fright
when an interruption came that WAS both
startling aud u~ncx pccted.
A sullen uir.d. awful in its dis'inc;ness.
fell on the ear Of Grace renroy. The clutch
IN her arm suddenly relaxed and the giant
tramp sank. limp as a dishrag. at her feet.
Grace rccled and clutchcd "A small sapl.ng
for support. At her feet lay the ~ruffian,
with blood upon has black countcnancc- A
heavy object had sho, from a trec-top upon
his head. that object now lying beside him
short, silver mounted rife, the butt OF
which had done deadly work.
The second tramp was startled.
He glanced about IN evident alarm, but,
seeing no one. made a sudden move 70 seize
the rife. He WAS not quick enough to nc,
complish ms design, however. Adark form
sho, through the leaves and stood beside the
PROSTATE youth OF sLender form,
who snatched the rifle from is resting
place and presented the Inuxzle nj the breast
Of the discounted tramp.
IF YOU don't care 70 die, you win move
on"
There was q low stcrnncss In the VOICE
shat was effective. Trarnps are Proverbially
towards. and this one was no exception
He retrcated suddenly. and began to beg
for mercy.
Don't stop IL beg" cried the boy. sneer
inglv. The country has no use for such
vermin. and l had ~ lief shoot you as not
Gov
The scoundrci waited TO hear no more,
but wheeled and fled at the :op Of hi.
speed. Then the rcscacr Of cuIal limo
cence faced Grace Penroy.
He WAS a handsome youth Of APPARENT.
twenty. HIS ace was dark. his black hair
hanging in Ion <. wavy masses Ia ms shout
ders. His upper lip was adorned with .
black musiache. His dress was plain. yet
Of fine cloth. and his rather small feet were
cncased in heavy shoes.
One Of his hands had a blood-stain scros.
1t where ii had been scratched by . twiG.
Miss Pcnroy. l believe. sand the younS
man. lifting hns gray cap with a smile thai
revealed rows Of even white teeth.
Yes. sir" she answered. opening heI
homes; gray eyes wide with asfonishmcnt
You are y stranger TO me-" she con
sluded. after a moment.
II suppose 81. But few people in ant
about S,oneticld. or one Hollow, know
LOUIS Finral, even you never heard the
name I venture Ia say"
Il never did unit; this moment ID
mit,cd Grace. blushing pre:;i!y under hi.
earnest gaze.
..You may learn more of me in thu
future" he said. leaning thoughtfully OF
his handsome rife,
IL hope so. lowe You much Will 70,
not come TO the hoUSet Grandfather val
be pleased 70 see one who has befricnde<
his Pet ~grandchild. II all seems strange 4
me. You were up in y tree. ! do not full,
understand il even now"
She shuddercd and chung more tightly u
the sapling for support. white her homes
gray eyes regarded his handsome fact
QucstionIngly.
IL Was in the woods cunning. looking fol
deer. know that Old hunters some
tunes watch . dcer-trail from a ele
waited perch-my brother always did. ant
he was one Of the most successful Nimrods
in the West"
NAnd were you pcrched up there watch
~ for . decrf' questioned innocent Grace
THAT'S about the truth Of it." he q
mitted.
But there hasn't been . deer IN tbs
woods in years." and she laughed for tn,
FIRST time
Il mus, besleave ,odiRer with you there
Mss Pcuroy."
But | know affirmed the girl -,
hsve iived ~ Lone Hollow for years m