The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1917-03-28

door leading from the hall into
the living-room. Instantly de
Spain stepped inside and directly
behind the front door-which he
now realized he dare not close
and stood expectant in the dark
ness. Gale Morgan, with an impa-
tient exclamation, strobe into the
hall to close the door.
AS he slammed the door shut,
he could have touched with his
hand the man standing in the
shadow behind it. De Spain, not
hoping to escape, stood with fold
ed arms, but under the elbow of
his left arm was hidden the long
muzzle of his revolver. Holding
his breath, he waited. Gales mind
was apparently filled with other
things; and he walked back into
the living room, partly closing the
second door.
Now go on, Druel," exclaimed
Gale. impatiently, "and talk
quick"
Druel talked through his nose:
Il was only going to say it would
be good idea to have two wit
nesses."
Duke was profane: And I want
it understood, Gale, between you
and me, that Mans going to live
right here with me after this mar
riage till I'm satisfied she's will
ing to go to you-otherwise It
can't take place, now or never"
De Spain opened his ears. Gale
felt the tone of his crusty relative,
and answered with like harshness.
What do you keep harping on
that for? You've got my word.
All | want of you is to keep yours
understand"
Come, come" interposed Druel.
There's no need of hard words.
But we need two witnesses. Who's
going to be the other witness?"
Before anyone could answer, de
Spain stepped before the three
men. "I'll act as the second wit
ness" he said.
With a common roar the Nor
gans bounded to their feet. De
Spain faced the three in an atti-
tude of readiness. He had reck-
oned on the instant of indecision
which at times, when coupled with
apprehension, paralyzes the will Of
two men acting together. Instead
of bullets, each launched curses at
the intruder, and every second
that passed led away from a fight.
Nor did de Spain break his OBJ
stinate silence until their burst of
rage had blown. you've arranged
your marriage" he said at length,
Now pull it off,"
My cousin 8 ready to marry me.
and she's going to do it tonight, :"
cried Gale violently.
Duke pointed to the hall door.
You hear thatl Get out of my
house!" he cried
This isn't your house." retort-
ed de Spain angrily. This house is
Mans, not yours. When she or
ders me out I'll go. Bring her
down." he Numbered. We'll see
whether she wants to get married.
IL she doesn't, and you've been
putting this up to force her into
marrying, you'll be carried out Of
this room tonight, or l will. I've
fought you both fair, too fair. Now
/ leave-it's my girl or
both of YOU"
He was standing near Druel.
Without taking his eyes off the
other men, he caught Druel with
his left hand by the coat collar
and threw him halfway across the
room. Get upstairs, you old car
rion, and tell Nan Morgan, Henry
de Spain is here to talk to her."
1T isn't necessary" said a low
voice in the hall, and with the
words Nan appeared in the door
way. Her face was white, but
therewas no sign Of haste or panic
in 1t.
De Spain addressed her, holding
his left hand out with his plea.
Man," he said, these men were
getting ready to marry you to Gale
Morgan. Was this with your con-
sent?"
She stepped into the line of fire
between her cousin and Do Spain
as she answered. mo. You know
/ shall never marry any man but
you. They never could have drag
ged me to 1t alive. And they've
kept me locked for three days in
a room upstairs. hoping to break
me down"
stand back, Man."
II de SPANS words OF warning
struck her with terror Of situa-
ton she could not control. she did
not reveal It. NO. she said reso-
IuteIy IF anybody here is TO be
shot. I'll BE- the first. Unole Duke.
you have always protected me
from Gale Morgan; now you Join