Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1917-04-19
CHAP Err XE.
Farley.

She stood beside the rock from
"h1ch the ledge was reached from be-
low, and as if she had just stepped up
INTO sight. Her rifle was so held in
Doth hands that it could be fired from
her hip, and at such close quarters
with deadly accuracy. AS she stood
with startled eyes fixed on his hag-
gard face, her slender neck and DOised
mead were very familiar to De Spain.
And her expression, while it reflect
ed her hOrritied alarm, did not conceal
her anger anu aversion at the sight of
him. Unaware of the fOrbidding spec
tacle he presented De Spain, swept by
brainStOrm at the appearance of this
Morgan-the only one of all the Nor
cams he had not fancied covering him
and waiting to deliver his death war
rant-felt a fury sweep over him at
The wild thought that she meant to kill
MIN.
Whatever she meant to do, he could
no more fire at this girl, even had he
chance-and he realized he was at
her mercy-than he could at his sister:
and he lay with his eyes bent on hers,
crying to read her purpose He read
IN her face only adherence and con-
dennatiOn, and felt IN no way moved
to argue her verdict. 81 suppose" he
said, at length, not trying to disguise
his bitter resentment of her presence.
you've come to finish me-"
His shirt stained and tattered for
bandageS, his hair matted in blood on
his forehead, his eyes inf1amed and
sunken, his lips crusted and swollen.
The birthmark fastened wildly OF his
cheek, made him desperate sight. Re
garding him steadily, Nan, as Devil
Tered as If she had suddenly come on
great wounded beast of prey still
dangerous, made no response to his
words. The two stared at each other
detiantly and for another moment in
silence. IF you are going to kill me-"
ne continued, looking into her eyes
without any thought of appeal, do it
quick"
Something in his long, unyfelding
gaze impelled her to break the spell
# it. What are you doing here?"
she demanded with anger, curbing her
voice TO control her excitement as best
he could.
De Spain, still looking at her, an
Swered only after pause. Hiding"
he said harShly.
Hiding to kill other menu Mans
accusation as she clutched her rifle
was almost explosive
He regarded her coolIy, and with the
interval he had had for thinking, his
wits were clearing. do I look like
a man hunting for a fight? Or" he
added, since she made no answer. like
man hunting for quiet spot to die
in?"
Il know you are q murderer"
In spite of his weakness he flushed.
No" he exclaimed sharply, I'm not
a murderer. If sou think it''-he point
ed contemptuously to her side-"you
have your rifie-use tt"
You came here to hide to kill some
| bOdyl" she exclaimed.
what do you mean by here? I
might better ask why you came here"
| AAS ACIOA iSN' uOu L KNOW where l
am. Do look as if I came here by
| choice" He paused. Listen" he
said quite master of himself, I'll tell
| you why [ came. l shall never get
| away alive, anyway-you can have the
truth if you want it. I got off my
| horse in the night to get drink. He
j bolted. l couldn't walk [ climbed up
here to hide till my wounds heal. Now.
I've told you the truth. Where am ~
The grip of her hands on the rifle
might have relaxed somewhat, but she
saw his deadly revolver in its accus-
! toned place and did not mean to sur
render her command of him. Nor
would she tell him where he was. She
parried his questions. He could get no
information of any sort out of her.
Yet he saw that something more than