The Mena weekly star., 1917-05-10
CHAPTER XVIII. (Concluded)

This hulking bully! l know him better than you do" She pointed quivering finger at her cousin He insulted me as vilely as he could only few months ago on Music Mountain. And if this very same Henry de Spain hadn't happened to be there to protect me, you would have found me dead next morning by my own hand. Do you under stand?" she cried, painting and furi- ous. That's what he isr
 Her uncle tried to break in. "Stop '" she exclaimed pointing at Gale. "He never told you that, did he2"
 ''No, nor you neither" snapped Duke hoarsely.
 q didn't tell you" retorted Nan, "be- cause I've been trying to live with you here in peace among these thieves and cutthroats, and not keep you stirred up all the time. And Henry de Spain faced this big coward and protected me from him with an empty revolverl What business of yours is lit whom meet, or where I go?" she demanded, raining her words with flaming eyes on her belligerent cousin T will never marry you to save you from the hangman. Now leave this house." She stamped her foot. Leave this house, and never come into it again"
 : Gale, beside himself with rage, stood his ground. He poured all that he safely could of abuse on Mans own head. She had appeased her wrath and made no attempt to retort, only looking at him with white face and burning eyes as she breathed defiance. Duke interfered. "Get outl" he said to Gale harshly. "Tll talk to her. Go hOmel"
 Not ceasing to mutter oaths, Gale picked up his hat and stamped out of the house, slamming the doors. Duke, exhausted by the quarrel, sat down, eying his niece. "Now what does this mean?" he demanded hoarseIy.
 She tried to tell him honestly and frankly all that her acquaintance with De Spain did mean-dwelling no more than was necessary on its beginning but concealing nothing of its develop ment and consequences, nothing of her love for De Spain, nor of his for her. But no part T what she could say on any point she urged softened her uncle's face. His square. hard jaw from beginning to end looked like stone.
 "So he's your lover?" he said harsh ly when she had done.
 "He wants to be your friend" re- turned Nan, determined not to give up.
 Duke looked at her uncompromising ly. "That man can't ever be any friend of mine-understand that He can't ever marry you. If he ever tries to, so help me God. I'll kill him if l hang for it. I know his game. l know what he wants. He doesn't care q pinch of snuff for you. He thinks he can hit me blow by getting you away from me-"
 "Nothing could be further from the lAulht ANdh
 Duke struck the table a smashing blow with his fist. "Tll show Mir. de Spain and his friends where they get of"
 ''Uncle Duke, if you won't listen to reason, you must listen to sense. Think of what a position you put me in. love you for all your care of me. love him for his affection for me and consideration of me - because he Knows how to treat woman. l know he wouldn't harm hair on your head, for my sake, yet you talk now of bloodshed between you two. I know what your words mean-that one of you, or both of you, are to be killed for a senseless feud. He will not stand up and let any man shoot him down without resistance. If you lay your blood on his head, you know it would put a stain between him and me that never could be washed out as long as we lived. If you kill him could never stay here with you. His blood would cry out every day and night agauhsl you"
 Dukes violent finger shot out at her. And you're the gal 1 took from your mammy and promised I'd bring up decent woman. You've got none O her blood in you-not a drop. You're the brat of that mincing brother of mine, that was always riding horseback anu showing off in town while l was weed ing the tobacco beds"
 Nan clasped her hands. Doh | blame me because I'm your brother child. Blame me because I'm wom- an, because I have a heart, because I want to live and see you live. anu to see suspicion, distrust' ieuus' alarms. and worse. I'm not ungrate- full, as you plainly say am. l want you to get out of what you are ID here-I want to be out of It. I'd rather be dead now than to live and die in IL And what is this anger all forf Noun ing He offers you his friendship She could sneak no further Her aheie.