The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-01-10

Mother CABRERA realized that she had sold
out "dirt cheap" She had permitted the
paper to go out Of her hands, and now il
was too late to make demands. Accepting
tho paltry reward, she turned and shuffled
from the room, dropping her vail as she
did so.
80" muttered Seekmore Gripes, as he
went to the window and examined the pre-
cious document. This was stolen by that
old woman for the purpose OF extorting
money. She didn't make a fortune out of
me, the poor fool. 1t takes somebody
mighty sharp to get the start of Seekmore
Gripes"
He chuckled at the last, and then made
preparations to go out, secreting the will
on his person.
A little later he might have been seen
driving out of the city on the road leading
past Lone Hollow.
In the meantime Captain Starbright
drove swiftly from the city, and little past
noon halted at the gate next the stables at
Lone Hollow. Soon the stable-boy grinned
at him from the open door of the stable.
Here you, SAM" called the Captain in
peremptory voice, ''put out my horses,
rub 'em down and feed well as soon as they
are COOL"
The darkey only grinned without NOV
ing.
Aren't you coming, you black rascala"
demanded Captain Starbright, angrily
Deed, Cap'n, mistis said / wasn't to
permit your bosses in de stables again."
finally articutateo tbs black boy, the grin
aiding from bis face when ne saw the
wrath gathering in the countenance of the
Captain.
mot to permit my horses in these stables?
Your mistress said that?"
Deed she did, Cap'n."
miss GraCes"
"No, Cap'n: Mistis Penroy'
well see about that muttered tho
angry Captain under his breath. Mrs.
Penroy shows her hand early"
He sprang to the ground and went about
caring for his animals with his own hands
Sam said nothing, although he realized that
ne was just now between two fires, a po-
sition not enviable by any means.
Nov, you black rascal, you can go"
Numbered Captain Starbright, turning
iercely upon the stable boy. Il am master
here, and, since you refuse to obey me, I'll
employ you no longer"
AS the speaker reached out to seize the
slack boy by the collar that individual dart
ed away and scampered to the rear of the
house, thus GLIDING for the time the hand of
punishment
With frowning brow Captain Starbright
strobe toward the house, only to meet
Louis Fingal on the veranda. The young
hunter was smiling and apparently in
pleasant mood, which fact annoyed the Cap.
tain more than frown would have done.
"Tlat boy seems to cross my path every
where - was the mental ejaculation of the
Captain.
"What are you doing herea" demanded
Starbright. in curt tone.
{" am privileged character" answered
Fingal. 81 might with more propriety put
the same query to you"
Captain Starbright was boiling beneath
the surface. He had been crossed so many
times that now he was fast losing his tenn
per-
believe you are leagued against me with
That woman, but
"Just word" interrupted the imper-
turbabie young hunter How about the
strange gentleman who frightened you so
n S:oneield a few days since! You re-
member himl"
mo"
1.-THE fellow that stared at US through
the window. Surely you haven't forgotten
that"
mo. He had escaped from an insane
asylum. His look was enough to frlghten
anybody" and the Captain forced laugh
"You met him again?''
"Yes. A dangerous lunatic whom
turned over to the proper authorities. He
is now in an asylum from which he ID not
likely to escape SOON"
"Now, Captain Starbright, do you expect
me to believe that?"
Fingal bent forward and pierced the
guilty Captain with eyes of steel. A throb
Of alarm swept to the Villains heart.
81 do not care"
"But do" Interrupted the youth, stern
ly. ''The blood of Karl Vandible cries out
from the ground for justice ON his murder
er''
"Ha, do you accuse me-"
81 accuse you of MURDER" Kissed Fingal
The next instant set Of dlgiis closed
about the young hunters throat, and he
was forced backward, gasping for breath
The Growth or Modern Improvements fir
the Celestial Empire.
The news from Picking IS that the En-
peror of China has issued an edict which
authorizes the building of the projected
railroad between Picking and Hankow
A previous edict of recent date had given
authority for the construction OF another
railroad projects that are now awaiting
the imperial sanction. 1t is reported
that the well-known promoter, Chang
Chi Tung, will carry out the Picking
Hankow scheme, and that the Marquis
Tseng has been appointed General Di
rector of all railroads in China.
These edicts indicate the triumph OF
Viceroy Ii and the other progressive
leaders who, amid many discourage
ments, have striven to establish policy
by which the Chinese empire may be
provided with a comprehensive railroad
system, against the protests and conjura.
tons of the censors and astrologers.
These powerful persons have carried on
desperate struggle against this policy,
on the ground that its adoption would
mark the beginning of an era in which
the ancient institutions and customs OF
China must bewholly destroyed. 1t was
reported from Picking last January that
the conservative leader, the uncle OF
the young Emperor, Kwang Hsu, had
obtained full control of the whole bust.
ness, and the imperial action at that
time appeared to give confirmation to
this report. But the recent reversal OF
that action shows that by some means
the great Viceroy Ii has regained his
former ascendancy in the palace. He
has maintained for many years that the
establishment of railway system is
necessary to the development of Chinese
resources and the advancement of Chi.