Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1917-05-11
g NAN Of 9
MUSIC MOUNTAIN
By frank SpedrmdN
Author of Whispering SmA. .,..., ...,

she exclaimed pointing at Gale. III
never told you that, did hef"
"No. nor you neither" snapped Duk
hoarsely.
II 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 yol
stirred up all the time. And Henr!
de Spain faced this big coward an'
protected me from him with an empt.
revolveri What business of yours Il
1t whom I meet, or where | goY SHIT
demanded, raining her words witt
flaming eyes on her belllgerent cousin
II 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 II
againl"
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 lnterfered. Get out" he said
to Gale harshly. "I'll talk to her. 60
home"
Not ceaslng TO mrtter oaths, Gale
picked up his hat and stamped out of
the house, slamming the doors. Duke.
exhausted by the quarrel, sat down,
eylng his niece. "Now what does this
mean7 he demanded hoarsely.
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 conceallng nothing Of its develop
ment and consequences, nothing Of her
love for De Spain. nor Of his for her.
But no part Of 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.
$50 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 uncompromlsing-
iy. '.That man can't ever be any
friend Of mine-understan that! He
can't ever marry you. If he ever tries
to, 30 help me God. I'll kill him II |
hang for 1t. ! know his game. I
know what he wants. He doesn't care
q pinch of snuff for you. He thinks he
eau hit me blow by getting you away
from me-"
> Nothing could be further from the
truth" exclaimed Nan hopelessly.
Duke struck the table smashing
blow with his fist. "I'll show Mr.. de
Spain and his friends where they get
or"
uncle Duke, II 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. | know
he wouldn't harm a hair on your head,
for my sake, yet you talk now of
blooished between you two. | know
what your words mean-that one Of
you, or both OF you, are TO be Killed
FOR 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 1t would
put a stain between him and me that
never COLD be washed out as long as
we lived. If you kill him could never
stay here with you. His blood would
0y out every day and night again>
you"
Dukes violent finger shot out at hcR
sand you're the gal / took from your
nanny and promised I'd bring up a
decent woman. You've got none o her
blood In you-not drop. You're the
brat Of that mincing brother of mine,
that was always riding horseback and
showing or In town while was weed
Ing the tobacco BEDS"
Nan clasped her hands. Don't
blame me because I'm your brothers
child. Blame me because I'm wom-
an, because / have heart, because
! want to live and see You live, and
to see suspicion, dlstrust, feuds,
alarms, and worse. Tn not migrate
full, as you plainly say am. | want
you to get out Of what you are in
here-I want to be out of 1t. I'd rather
be dead now than to live and die in It.
And what Is this anger all for? Moth
ing. He offers you his friendship
She could speak no further. Her uncle,
With curse, left her alone. When she
arose In the early morning he had
already gone away.