Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-01-19
@ NAN Of 9
MUSIC MOUNTAIN
By frank SpedrrndN
Author d WHISPERING Smith -.

dangerous, made no response 10 his
words. The two stared at each other
deiiantly and for another moment in
silence. II yo,: are going to kill me-"
he continued. looking into her eyes
without any thought Of appeal, do it
quick"
Something in his long, unyieding
gaze impelIed her to break the spell
OF it. What are You doing here!"
she demanded with anger. curbing hex
voice TO control her excitement as best
She could.
De Spain, still looking at her an
swered only after pause. Hiding"
he said harshy.
Gliding 10 Kill other men" Mans
accusation as she clutched her rifle
was almost explosive.
He regarded her coollv, and VITA the
interval be had had for thinking, his
wits were clearing. "Do | look like
man hunting for fight? Or" he
added, since She made no answer, 'like
man hunting for quiet spot to die
in?"
II know you are murderer"
In spite Of his weakness he flushed
NO he exclaimed sharply, I'm not
murderer. II you think The point.
cd contcnptuously to i,er side--"you
have y1nr riiic--usc IT,
"You came here to hide to kill some
body she exclaimed.
"Wha; do You mean by here?
might better ask Why you came here,
he retortcd. II don't know whc.e
am. Do look as If | came llcrc by
cholcc?" He paused. Listen" he
said, quite master Of himself, "I!l tell
you why l came | shall never Get
away alive, anyway-you can have the
truth If you want It. | got or my
horse in the night 70 cct drink. lie
bolted. | couldn't walk. | climbed up
here to hide till my woUnda heal. Nov
Eve told you The trnth. Where an ~
/ Liz s>llI' VI Iti iiilIiS II Tue Iiltt
might have relaxed somewhat, but she
saw his deadly rev Diver in It's accuS
toned place and did not mean TO sur
render her command Of him. No
would she tell him whore he was. 81,
parted his questions. He could get n,
information Of any sort out Of her
Yet he saw that something more thar
his mere presence detained and per
. picked her. Her prompt condemna
ton of him ranked in his mind, ant
the strain Of facing her suspicion wor'
on him. Il won't ask you anythin.
more" he said mt length. "You tina.
I've no right TO live-that's what yo'
think, isn't it? Why don't you shoot :.
She only stared at him. "Why don'
you ansWer?' he demanded recklessl,
Nan summoned her resolution. "
know you tried to kill my cousin" sh
said hotly. after he had tainted he
once more. "And | am going to thin
what to do before tell you anythin.
or do anything"
"You know | tried to kill your cou
sin! You know nothing of the kind
Your cousin tried to kill me. He's {
bully and coward a man that doesn'
know what fair fighting means
"You are safe in abusing him whe
he's not here"
p "Send him to me" His voice shoe
with anger. "Tell him I'm wounded
tell him I've haC, nothing to eat sine
: I fought him before. And if he's sti
afraid'--Dc Spain drew and broke hi
, revolver almost like a flash. In th'
:. Incredibly quick instant she realize
+ he might have threatened her life ~
!, fore she could move muscle--te
your fine cousin I've got one cnrtridI
4 } left--just one - So saying, he held
one hand the loaded cartridge and
I the other the empty revolver.
"You've asked me to go--lm goin
!. How much Of what you tell me Is tru
Il | don't know. But | can believe m
l. own eyes, und l believe You are not
Il condition to do much injury, even
o you came here with that intention. 70
@ will certainly lose your life If you NOV
}. from your hiding place"
She started away. lie leaned towal
- her. stop" he said perenptoril
n raising himself with q wrcnchng @
4 fort Something in The stern eye he
4, her. His extended hand pointed towal
Is har rs arbitrarily as if, instead Of iyii
a. helpless ut her feet, he could coinnn'
/. her TO his bidding. 81 want to ask yt
4, Il question. I've told you the truth.
i, have Just one cartridge. If you n