Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-02-11

 sultlng in the death of my esteemed friend, Miss Joyce. The whole country is aroused, and It is highly necessary that the truth be known. Miss Penroy and her grandfather are nearly distracted with grief. Since we did not find the body I am not sure that Lura Joyce is dead.' "You would like to know that she is?" Captain Starbright cast quick glance at ! the second twin, who lounged on the floor near, with pipe between his red jaws, and said:
 "On the contrary, l should be glad to know that she is alive. It grieves me sorely to tmnk harm has come to one who was my friend"
 ''The spitfre gal was your friend?"
 The beady eyes of the hag pierced him like twin dirks.
 "The best friend had in the world," as- serted Captain Starbright, with apparent feeling.
 He had confided only in the hag, and was not yet ready to place himself at the mercy of the two ruffians who were supposed to be the sons of Mother Cabera. He had evinced too much feeling in the presence of Hank, he feared, and resolved to be more careful in the future. After moment of silence Mother Cabera stepped to the Captains side and touched hls arm.
 "Come with me, Captain" she whispered in his ear. Then she crossed to one corner of the room and slipped aside a mat re- vealing trap-door.
 Seizing a candle that stood near she lifted the trap and stepped through the aperture thus exposed.
 Was there danger in following2
 Captain Starbright was not ready to trust these people fully. He knew that his life would not be worth a picayune should the inmates of the gulch cabin deem it money in pocket to take it. He had gone too far now to recede, however. and so, making the cellar below.
 As the trap closed above them Mother 1 Cabera said:
 II knew you was embarrassed up there | afore the boys, so thought 1 would bring you here where you could speak freely" | She flashed the blaze of her candle about the room, small, square apartment, with but the damp earth for floor. Some boxes 1 and barrels stood about, and on one of the | former Mother Cabera seated her gaunt | form.
 II s'pose you was expectin this accident a little soorcr?"
 ''No. had nearly forgotten about it. It was an accident, then?'
 Ut looks that way"
 'It is very sad am sorry that the body was taken away. There seems to be some mystery about it'' A low chuckle answered him.
 Its plains the nose on yer face, Captain 1 Starbright.'
 What do you mean!'
 q attended to the body. I was down while the boys was away and fetched the poor gal up an planted her here"
 The hdeous hag indicated with tap of her foot the center of the room, which seemed a little higher than the surrounding ground.
 haauanSi On hat Joyce's dead body lies here under our very feet?' cried the Captain, his face white and | ghastly in the dim light.
 'That's it exactly. Hold the candle a mlnnit and I'll show ye proof"
 Mother Cabera thrust the candle into his ! hand and going to the side of the room lift ed spade that leaned against the stones, and began digging in the center of the eel. lar.
 ''No, no; that will do," cried the Captain a clammy sweat oozing out on his face as | the spade struck something beneath the surface with a thud that was sickening.
 ''Be you satisfied? It won't take me morn minnit-"
 'No, want no further proof" groaned l the wicked Captain. "I am assured that poor Lura Joyce is dead. Let us go 1p."
 Here is more proof, if you need it, '' chuckled the bag, at the same time produc i ing soiled envelope, and thrusting it to- ward the Captain. I'm opinioned that the gal was a-carryin' this fur the heiress a Lone Hollow"
 It proved to be the letter that Lura Joyce lost, and had doubtless been stolen by the hag while telling the girls fortune on the previous day.
 Captain Starbright read the letter with its affectionate words for the Stonetield me chanic, and felt hls muscles harden, his feelings conpcal with rage
 [" will keep this," he said.
 "If you pay for it, you may"
 The bag held out bony hand. He thrust the candle back in her hand and drew fortf wallet, counting out several bank notes These he handed over to his companion.
 "That is the first installment," he said, il q low tone.
 "Whcn does the next comet"
 "When I am master of the Vandiblt millions. No one stands in my way now and before the snows of Christmas winter tho ground will be master of Lone Hollow and its outlying lands"
 Mother Caberai secreted the money, ther turned to retrace her steps to the room above. Evidently she was thus far satisfied with the situation.
 "One moment"
 The hand of Captain Starbright detained the hag
 "You must keep this affair wholly tt yourself, not even whispering my part in i to your sons." 1T ain't a fool Captain"
 This seemed sufficient answer and th' two repaired to the room above. After few more words with his friends, Captail Starbrlght left the cabin and turned hi steps once more toward Lone Hollow.
 His brain was in whirl, and he was no at ease by any means. Hank Cabera hat seen his hand and might prove dangerou in the time to come. 1T fear that forgot prudence when le SO much be known to that low scoundrel,