Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1917-05-03
not reach him at Medicine Bend.

but one Interpretation for his inqui
ries-and a fight, if one occurred be-
tween these men, it was conceded,
would be historic in the annals Of the
town. It's anticipation was food for
all of the rumOrs of three days of sus-
pense. For the town they were three
days of thrilling expectation; for Nan,
isolated, without a confdant, not
knowing what to do or which way to
turn, they were the three bitterest
days of anxiety she had ever known.
Desperate with suspense at the close
of the second day-wild for a scrap of
news, yet dreading One-She saddled
her pony and rode alone into Sleepy
Cat after nightfall to meet the train
on which De Spain had told her he
would return from the east. She rode
straight to the hospital, instead of
going to the livery barn, and leaving
her horse, got supper and walked by
way of unfrequented streets downtown
to the station to wait for the train.
When the big train drew slowly, al
most noiselessly, in, Nan took her
place where no incoming passenger
could escape her gaze and waited for
De Spain. But when all the arrivals
had been accounted for, he had not
come.
She turned, heavy-hearted, to walk
back uptown, trying to think of whom
she might seek some information con-
corning De SPANS whereabouts, when
her eye fell on q man standing not
ten feet away at the door of the bag
gage room. He was alone and seemed
to be watching the changing of the
engines, but Nan thought she knew
him by sight. The rather long, straight
black hair under the brOad-brimmed
hat marked the man known and hated
in the gap as "the Indian" Here, she
said to L.erself. was a chance. De
Spain, She recalled, spoke Of no one
Oftener than this man. He seemed
wholly disengaged.
REFRESHING her nervous timidity,
Nan walked over to him. aren't you
Mr.. Scott? she asked abruptly.
Scott, turning to her, touched his
hat as if quite unaware until that mo-
ment of her existence. did Mr. de
Spain get off this train?' she asked, as
Scott acknowledged his identity.
81 guess he didn't come tonight"
Nan noticed the impressive manner of
his speaking and the low, even tones.
Il was kind of looking for him my
self"
SIS there another train tonight he
could come On?"
II don't think he will be back now
before tomorrow night"
Nan, much disappointed, looked up
the line and down. 81 rode in this
afternoon from Music mountain espe-
cially to see him.
Scott, without commenting, smiled
with understanding and encourage
ment, and Nan was so filed with anxi-
ETY. that she welcomed a chance to
talk to somebody. I've often heard
him speak of you," she ventured
searching the dark eyes, and watching
the open, kindly smile characteristic
of the man. Scott put his right hand
'luL dI Ills SAtIC. VIC 1IuIeu Will
that boy since he was so high"
81 know he thinks everything of
you"
81 think a lot of him.
you don't know me?" she said ten
tatively.
His answer concealed all that was
necessary. mot to speak to- no."
81 am Nan Morgan"
81 know your name pretty WELL" ne
explained; nothing seemed to disturb
his smile.
And | came in-because [ was wor-
ried over something and wanted to
see Mr.. de Spain"
HE is buying horses north OF Med
icine Bend. The rainstorm yesterday
likely kept him back some. I don't
think you need worry much over any
thing though"
Il don't mean l am worrying about
Mr.. de Spain at Medicine Bend" dis
claimed Nan with a trace of embar-
raSsment.
i know what you mean" smiled
Bob Scott. She regarded him ques-
tioningly. He returned her gaze re
assuringly as if he was confident of
his ground. Did your pony come
along all right after you left the foot
hills this afternoon?"
Nan opened her eyes. "HOw did you
know l came through the foothills?"
L was over that way today" Some
thing i'm tho continuous SroiIo aDIirb+
ened her more than the word. 81 no.
ticed your pony went lame. You
stopped TO look at his foot
you were behind me-" exclaimed
Nan.
q didn't see you," he countered pru-
IDENTIFY.
She seemed to fathom something
from the expression OF his face. 'You
couldn't have known was coming in,"
she said quickly.
No" He paused. Her eyes seemed
to invite a further confidence. ''But
after you started it would be pity
If any harm came to you on the road"
You knew Uncle Duke was in
town." Scott nodded. "Do you know
why I came?"
Il made a guess at it. I don't think
you need worry over anything"
did you follow me down from the
hospital tonight?'
Il was coming from my house after
supper. I only kept close enough to
you TO be handy"
"Oh, understand. And you are very