Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1917-02-16

II confused and startled him. He saw
Il was not man AZ all, but woman
and woman than whom he would
rather have seen SIX men. Il was Nan
Morgan.
With her head never more declslvely
set under her mannish hat, her wuist
never more attrnctiyely outlined In
slenderness, she silently faced De
Spain IN the morning gray His face
reflected his chagrined perplexity. lie
could already see Mans eyes They
we're bent kcenly first on him. then on
his comprnlon and again on him. Dc
Spain kept his face down az much as
he dared, and his hat Ind been pulled
well over Il from the beginning
They were now almost abreast. The
very instructive knowledge that her
eyes were bent on his made him steal
a glance n her IN spite Of himself. The
next instant he was shnmcfncedIy
touching his hat. Though nothing
was lost on her, MN profcssed not -
see the greeting. When She spoke her
tone was dpy with suspicion.
"Walt a moment, SasSnon. Where
nrr you gong?" she demanded Sas
soon hltched with one hand ut his
trousers band. He inclined his head
sulklly toward his companion. Start
Ing man on the trail for Sleepy Cat
"Stop," she exclaimed sharply, for
De Spain, pushing his own horse ahead,
had managed without being observed.
to kick Sassoons horse In the flank
and the two We're passing Sassoon at
the resolute summons stopped. De
Spain could do no less; both men,
nlting faeed their suspicious inqulsl
tor She serutinlzed De Spain kecnly
what is this man doing In the gapY'
"EEe came up from Thief river last
night" answered Sassoon monoton.
ousy.
what is he doing here with your?
persisted Nan.
He's n cousin Of John Rebstocks
from Williams Cache" continued SaS
soon. The yarn would have sounded
decently well in the circumstances for
which !. was intended, but In the
searching gaze of the eyes now con.
fronting and clearly recognizing him.
II sounded SO grntesque that De Spaln
would fully us lief have been sitting
between his horses legs rs ustride his
back.
That's not true, Sassoon," said his
relentless questioner. Her tone and
the expression of her face boded no
friendllness for either OF the two she
had intercepted.
De Spain had recovered his wits.
you're right he lnterposed without
an instant's hesitation. at isn't true.
But that's not his fault; he is under
arrest, and is telling you what | told
him to tell you. | came In here this
TO take Sassoon to Sleepy Cat.
lie isa prisoner, wanted for cutting up
one of our Safeguards.
Nan, coldly skeptlcal, eyed De Spain.
"And do you try to tell me'-she
pointed to SasSoon's unbound hands
that he Is riding out Of here, free
man, to 90 to Jall?"
II do tell you exactly that. He is
my prisoner
II don't believe either of you de-
clared Nan scornfully. "You are plan.
ming something underhand together
De Spain laughed coolly. We've
planned that much together, but not,
assure you, with his consent
Il don't believe your stories at ALL"
she declared firmly.
De Spain flushed. The irritation and
the serious danger bore In on him. "If
you don't believe me It's not my fault
he retorted. i've told you the truth.
Ride on, Sassoon.'
He spoke angrily, but this In no
wise daunted Nan. She wheeled her
horse directly In front OF them. Don't
iou stir, Sassoon." she commanded.