The Ozark spectator., 1917-05-02
CHAPTER xIll-Continued.

"TalSe me away, Gale," cried Nan. "Leave him here-take me home !! Take me home!'
 She caught her cousins arm. "Stay right where you are," shouted Mor- gan, pointing at De Spain, and follow ing Nan as she pulled him along. "When I come back, I'll give you what you're looking for.'
 Bring your friends" said De Spain tauntinglt. 'Tll accommodate four more of you. Stopr' With one hand still on his revolver, he pointed the way. "Go down that trail first Mor- gan. Stay where you are, girl, till he gets down that hill. You won't pot me over her shoulder for while yet. Move"
 Morgan took the path sullenly, Dc Spain covering every step he took. Be hind De Spain Nan stood waiting for her cousin to get beyond earshot. What" she whispered hurriedly to sDe Spain, twill you do?"
 Covering Morgan, who could whlrl on him at any turn in the descent, De Spain could not look at her in answer Ing. Looks pretty rocky doesn't it?'
 He will start the whole gap as soon as he gets to his horse.''
 He looked at the darkening sky. "They won't be very active on the job before morning."
 Morgan was at safe distance. De Spain turned to Nan. Her eyes were bent on him as if they would pierce him through. If I save your life" still breathing fast, she hesitated for words-"you won't trick me-ever- will youf'
 Steadily returning her appealing gaze, De Spain answered with delib- eration: Don't ever give me a chance to trick you. Nan"
 "What do you mean?" she demand cd. fear and distrust burning in her tone.
 My life" he said slowly, isn't worth It."
 "You know" He could see her res olute underlip, pink with fresh young blood, quiver with intensity of feeling as she faltersd. You know what ev- cry man says of every girl-fooliSb, trusting, easy to decdve-everything like that"
 May God wither my tongue before ever 1t speaks to deceive you, Nan"
 'There's not moment to lose" she said swiftly. Listen: trail around this mountain leads out of the gap, straight across the face of Fl Capi- tan"
 "I can make it."
 "A good climber can do it-I have done it. I'd even go with you, if l could"
 "Whyr
 She shook her head angrily at what he dared show in his eyes. "Oh, keep still-listen
 "I know you'd go, Nan" he declared unperturbed. But, believe me, never would let you."
 "I can't go, because to do any good I must meet you with horse out side"
 He only looked silently at her, and eilt utu cscS lIoiA HIS SuLt. "See," she said, taking him eagerly to the back of the ledge and pointing. follow that trail the one to the east you can't get lost; you can reach Fl Capitan before dark-it's very close. Creep carefully across Fl Capitan on that narrow trail, and on the other side there is wide one clear down to the road--oh, do be careful on Fl Capi- tan!"
 "T'll be careful"
 "I must watch my chance to get away from the corral with n horse. If fail it will be because I nm locked up at home, and you must hide and do the best you can. How much they will surmise of this, I don't know"
 'Go now. this minute" he said, re straining his words. If yVQ, don't come. shall know why"
 She turned without speaking, and, fearless as chamois, sran down the rocks. De Spain. losing not moment, hobbled rapidly up along the granite walled passage that led the way to his 70 for life.