The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-01-03
LONE HOLLOW:
Or, The Peril Of the Penroys.
u Thrilling and Romantic Story
OF Love and Adventure.
Oh JAMES IA. MKRRrLL, AUTHOR OF "BOoue
BILL" "FnHRR JOE" AND
OTHER STORIls.
teepyr'sM, 1883, BY the L. N. Ksllogg Nsss.
paper Con.pGny1

-, o01roe. L Knew thai this was buJ tne
wild talk of mailman, in whose power
had fallen after escaping from death at the
hands of tramps, as then supposed my late
assailants to be.
VI course l felt uneasy, and was anx-
tous to make my escape, but this l could
not do, since Don Benito kept close watch
upon my movements. In my opinion the
cave was excavated by horse-thieves or
counterfeiters; and am of the opinion that
the present dweller may have been at one
time member of the band. I made no
such suggestion to him, however. He was
constantly harping about his wrongs, and
assuring me that the Doge had attempted
to murder him with his own hand. To
prove his assertion he showed me scar
over his right ear where the assassin's
blow had been delivered.
"Of course humored his hallucination,
and so we got on swimmingly together. OF
course he left the cave occasionally, and
went in quest of provisions for his larder
On these occasions he locked me in room
opening from the main cave, the door of
which was made of heavy oak. l presume
it had been used as the prison-room of the
outlaws who once inhabited the place.
" 1t was not until very recently that
persuaded my keeper to permit me to &C.
company him on visit to Stonefeld, made
IN the night and on foot. 1t was then that
| gave him the slip and managed to keep
safely out of his clutches. I have met
Austin Wentword since, and learned from
him that Don Benito has been known to
him for long time. He considers the old
fellow harmless, but decidedly lunatic."
1t was strange story indeed that Lura
Joyce told Grace Penroy, under the glow of
the swinging lamp in the privacy of her
own ROOM 1t did seem much like fairy
tale, and yet the presence of Lura was
proof that she had escaped death. 1t must
be true; in fact, Grace never thought to
doubt for one moment.
cit is a strange story" breathed Grace,
at length. "It seems like a dream to me,
and can not be too thankful to have you
back, alive and well.''
"To you l am alive and well, to others ]
must yet be as one dead" said Lura, in a
low, guarded tone, as though she feared
the walls might have suddenly acquired the
gift of hearing.
".Why is that?'
"That 1 may the better Illustrate his
wicked schemes"
"TO whom do you refer?"
"Surely you can guess"
81 can not"
Lura regarded her friend in apparent as
constituent.
"Is it possible that you do not yet under
stand the true character Of Clinton Star
bright!"
81 understand him perfectly answered
Grace. He has been very kind to me
since grandpa died, and has taken all the
responsibility off my hands of looking after
affairs about Lone Hollow"
"And he will gladly assume control of
the million or more your poor grand
father left" returned Lura, grimly.
"That is what he is after. Don't trust him.
Grace. He is serpent, two sided and
treacherous l beg you to beware of that
man, who is evil from the sole of his foot to
the crown of his head. You will beware OF
him, tell me you WiU?''
For once Lura Joyce seemed in deadly
earnest, and there was an intense pleading
in voice and mien as she bent toward her
cousin.
81 do not fear him, but regard the Cap
tain as FRIEND" returned Grace "Yet,
to please you, will be ever on my guard.''
THANKS DO not mention the fact of YOUR
seeing me to living soul. Keep my secret
until bid You speak, and you will never re-
greet it. Promise IN this. Grace"
81 promise. certainly"
Then LARA sprang up, embraced and
kissed her cousin, aad turned toward the
door.
81 must go now, dearest, but we shall
meet again ere long. Goodnight"
Quickly turning the key Lura opened the
door and glided from the room. Swiftly
she passed down the stairs and thence out
into the night.
Barely had she gained the gate on the
roaS when she felt a touch on her shoulder.
The moon just then disclosed its face.
"Ha! l thought so, Lura Joyce! Not
dead. but YOU shall die in an other minute"
A pair of digits, cruel as death, closed
about the throat Of Lura, and she felt her.
self sinking, faintlng, dying, to the ground
CHAPTER XVIII