Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1917-07-26
CHAPTER xWiil-centsnusd.

She whirled. II won't put II down.
This hulking bullyi I know him bet.
ter than you do" She pointed a Quiv-
efing finger at her cousin. HE insult
ed me as vilely as he could only a few
months ago on Music mountain. And
Il 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 W hand. DO
you understands" she cried. painting
and furious. "That's what he is"
Her uncle tried to break In. "Stop!"
she exclaimed pointing at Gale. "He
never told you that, did her
"No, nor you neither" snapped Duke
hoarsely.
~ 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
revolveri What business Of yours Is
It whom I meet, or where / got" she
demanded, raining her words with
flaming eyes on her belligerent 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 1t
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 OUT" he said
to Gale harshly. "Il talk to her. Go
home!"
Not csaslng 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 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 c~oncealing nothing Of its develop
rlent and consequences. nothing of her
aove for De Spain. O of his for her.
But no part OF what she could say on
any point she urged softenpd her
uucle's face. His square, hard jaw
from beginning to end looked like
stone.
$50 he's your lover?" he said harsh
!y when she had done.
He wants to be your friend" re-
turned Nan. determined not to give up.
Duke looked at her uncompromisins-
ly. That man can't ever be any
friend Of .nine-understand that! He
cau't ever marry you. If he ever tries
to, SO help Inc God, I'll kill him II l
hang for it. l know his game. l
know what he wants. He doesn't care
Il pinch of snuff for yon He thinks he
can hit me a blow by getting you away
from me-"
Nothing could be further from the
truth" exclaimed Nan hopelessly.
Duke struck the table a smashing
blow with his fist. "TTl show MI. de
Spain and his friends where they get
Off"
"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 Jour care OF me.
love him for his affection for me ant
consideration Of me because n
knows how to treat a woman. l know
he wouldn't harm a hair on your head
for my sake. yet you talk now o
bIoodshed between you two. know
what YOUR words mean-that q o
you or both Of you. are to be kllle'
Tor a ~senseless feud. He will not stan
I'm and let. any man shoot him dow
without resistance. II you lay you
biood on his head, you know 1t woul
mt 4 stain between him md me ths
rcvcr could be washed out MS long O
we lived. II you kill him ] could neve
stny here with you. His blood woul
cry u every day and night againl
you."
Duke. violent finger shot out at he
~And you're the gal I took from YOU
mammy and promised I'd bring up
decent woman. You've got none o h
Mood Ia you-not a drop. You're tt
hrnt Of that mlnclng brother Of min
Ahnt was always riding horseback az
s,howinr off In town while ! wal wee
ans tho tobacco beds"
Nan ciasped her hands. dol
n,ome me because I'm your brother
chili. Blame me because I'm Q wol
n because I have q heart, beca',
1 wnnt to live and seo You live. a,
q rec suspicion. distrust. feut
alarms. ana worse. I'm not ungrat
IN. ~ Won plainly shy I am. ] wa
you q III out fof what you are
,Ses-r want to bs.out oft. I'd rath
- dead now than 70 I've and dls n
And WHAT II this anger NIL fort no.
1ns. He. Offers you his friendship
~ ccuId spsak,no farther. Hor unc
1afh 4 curse, lot her aions. When 2
.roao II the sagly morning he y
.rsaly lGons awAy.
sHHsrES XIX.
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