Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-02-01
@ NAN Of .
MUSIC MOUNTAIN
BY frank n. SDedrmdn
Author Of WhfSperinG Smith
Author G Whispering Smith

their chairs, De Spain walked straight
down the open aisle, behind Morgan's
back. While Duke bent over the case
to select Il cigar, De Spain, passing,
placed himself at the mOuntain-man's
side and between him and the street
sunshine. II was taking an advantage,
De Spain was well aware, but under
the circumstances he thought himself
entitled to good light on Dukes eye.
De Spain wore an ordinary sack
street suit, with no sign of a weapon
about him; but none Of those who con-
sidered themselves favored spectators
of long-awaited encounter felt any
doubt as to his ability to put his hand
on one at incomparably short notice.
There was, however, no trace of hos
tility or suspicion in De SPANS greet
Ing.
Hello. ,DukeMorgan," he said frank
ly. Morgan looked around. His face
hardened when he saw De Spain, and
he invOluntarlly took Il short step
backward. De Spain; with his left hand
lying curelessly on the cigar case,
faced him. II heard you wanted to
see me- continued De Spain, II want
to see you. Ilows your back since you
went homer
Morgan eyed him with mixture OF
suspicion and animosity. He took what
WINS to him the most significant part OF
DE SPANS greeting first and threw his
response into words as short as words
could be chopped; "What do you want
to see me about?'
Nothing unpleasant, l hope re-
turned De Spain. Lets sit down a
minute
"Say what you got to say
swell, don't take my head off. Duke.
/ was sorry to hear you were hurt. And
I've been trying to figure out how to
make it easier for you to get to and
from town while you are getting strong.
.Jeffries and both feel there's been a
lot of unnecessary hard feeling be-
tween the Morgans and the company,
and we want to ask you to accept this
to show some Of it's ended" De Spain
put his left hand into his side pocket
and held out an unsealed envelope to
Morgan. Duke, taking the envelope,
eyed it dlstrustfully. "Whats thlsT
he demanded, opening it aud drawing
out card
Something for easier riding. An
annual pass for you and one over the
stage line between Calabasas and
Sleepy Cat---with Mr.. Jeffrles' compll.
ments."
Like flash, Morgan tore the card
pass in two and threw 1t angrily to the
floor "Tell Mr. Jeffries" he ex-
claimed violently TO"
The man that CHANGED at that mo-
ment to be lying in the nearest chair
slid quietly but imperiously out from
under the razor and started with the
BARRIERS for ths rear door, wiping the
lather from one unshaven side of his
face with n neck towel MS he took his
hasty way. At the back Of the
shop fit man. sitting In cnair on
the high, shoe-shinlng platform, while
a negro boy polished him, rose Mt Nor
gan's imprecation and tried to step
over the bootblacks head to the floor
below. The boy. trying to get out Of the
way, jumped back, and the fat man fell,
Or pretended to fall. over him--fOr 1t
might be seen that the man, despite his
l size, had lighted like n cat on his feet
and was instantly halfway up to the
front Of the shop, cxclaining profanc.
~ but collectively at the lads awk-
wardness, before De Spaln had had
time to reply to the insult.
The noise and confusion of the Incl
dent were considerable. Morgan was
too old fighter to look behind him Mt
a critical moment No man could sny
he had meant to draw when he stamped
the cnrd underfoot, but De Spain read
1t In his eye and knew that Lcfcver's
sudden diversion ut the rear had made
him hesitate; the crisis passed like u
fash. Sorry you feel that way, Duke"
returned De Spain, undisturbed. 1T Is
n courtesy we were glad to extend.
And want to speak to you about
Nan, too"
Morgan's face was llvid. "Whnt
about her?'
"She has given me permission to ask
your consent to our marriage said
DE SPIN, "somc time In the reason
able future"
i It was difficult for Duke to speak