The Ozark spectator., 1917-05-16

general manager got ready he could catch Sassoon himself.
 De Spain wanted for Mans sake, as well as his own, to see what could be done to pacify her uncle and his rela- lives so that wedge might be driven in between them and their notorious henchman, and Sassoon brought to book with their consent on this point, however, he was not quite bold-faced enough to take his friends into his confidence.
 De Spain, as fiery lover as he wns a fighter, stayed none of his counting because circumstances put Music mountain between him and his mis- tress. And Nan, after she had once surrendered, was nothing behind in the chances she unhesitatingly took to ar- range her meetings with De Spain. He found in her, once her glrlish timidity was overcome md woman's cOnfi- dence had replaced 1t, disregard of consequences, so far as their own plans were concerned, that sometimes took away his breath.
 The very day after she had got her uncle home, with the aid of Satterlee Morgan and m antiquated spring wag on, Nan rode, later in the afternoon, over to Calabasas. The two that would not be restrained had made their appointment at the lower lava beds halfway between the gap and Calabasas. The sun was sinking be- hind the mountain when De Spain gal lopcd out of the rocks as Nan turned from the trail and rode toward the black and weather-bcaten meeting place.
 They could hardly slip from their saddles fast enough to reach each oth- CTS arlns-Nan, trim as q model in fresh khaki, trying with handkcr- chief hardly larger than postage stamp to wipe the 1lecks of dust from her pink checks, while De Spain, be- tween dabs, covered them with impor tunate greetings. Looking engrossed into each others eyes, and both, in their cagerness, talking at once, they led their horses into hiding and sat down to try to tell all that had hap pened since their parting. Wars and rumors of wars, feuds and raidings, fights and pursuits, were no more to them than to babes in the woods. All that mattered to them-sitting or pacing together and absorbed, in the path of the long-cold volcanic stream buried in the shifting sands of the desert-was that they should clasp each others clingin. hands, listen each to the others answering voice. look unrestrained into each others eyes.
 They met in both the lava beds the upper lay between the gap and town-more than once. And one day came n scare. They were sitting on little ledge well up In the rocks where De Spain could overlook the trail cast and west. and were talking about bungalow some day to be in Sleepy Cat. when they saw men riding from the west toward Calabasas There were three in the party. one tagging well behind. The two men leading Nan and De Spain made out to be Gale Morgan and Page. They saw the man coming on behind stop his horse and lean forward. his head bent over the trail. He was examining the sand and halted quite minute to study something. Both knew what he was studying-the hoofprints of Mans pony heading toward the lava. Nan shrank back and with De Spain moved little to where they could watch tho intruder without being seen. Nan whispered first: "Its Sassoon." De Spain nodded. "What shall we do?" breathed Nan.
 Nothing yet" returned her lover watching the horseman. whose eyes were still fixed on the pouy's trail. but who was now less than a half them.
 De Spain, his eyes on the danger anc his hand laid behind Mans waist, led the way guardedly down to where their horses stood. Nan, need ing no instructions for the emergency, took the lines of the horses, and De Spain, standing beside his own horse. reached his right tiand over in front of the pommel and. regarding Sassoon all the while. drew his rifle slowly from its scabhard. The blood fled Nan's cheeks. She said nothing. With out looking at her, De Spain drew her own rife from her horses side, passed 1t Into her hand. and. moving over in front of the horses. laid his left hand reassuringiy on her waist again. At that moment, little knowing what eyes were on him in the black fragments ahead, Sassoon looked up. Then he rode more slowly forward. The color returned to Mans checks. Do you want me to use thisT she murmured indicating the rifle.
 Certainly not. But if the others turn back, may need 1t. Stay right here with the horses. He will lose the trail in minute now. When he reaches the rock I'll go down and keep him from getting of his horse he won't fight from the saddle."
 But with m instinct better than