The Ozark spectator., 1917-06-06
CHAPTER xxi-Continued.
--14

Bull lifted his weak and watery eyes. His whisky-seamed face bright ened into the ghost of smile. What Pm going to ask you to do," continued De Spain. "is a mans job. You can get into the gap without trouble. You are the only man l can put my hand on just now that can. l want you to ride over this morning and hang out around Duke Morgans place till you can get a chance to see Miss Nan"
 At the mention of Her name Bull shook his head moment in attirma- tive approval. "Shes queen!" he exclaimed with admiring but pungent expletives. "A queen!"
 'I think so, Bull. But she is in troublesome circumstances. You know, Nan and T."
 Bull winked in many ways.
 And her Uncle Duke is making us trouble, Bull. 1 want you to find her, speak with her, and bring word to me as to what the situation is. That doesn't mean you're to get drunk over therein fact, l don't think anybody over there Ruld give you a drink"
 Don't believe they would"
 And you are to ride back here with what you can find out just as quick, after you get into the clear, as horse will bring you"
 Bull passed his hand over his mouth with show of resolution. It indi- cated that he was pulling himself to- gether. Within half an hour he was on his way to the gap.
 For De Spain hours never dragged as did the hours between Bulls start ing and the setting of the sun that night without his return. And the sun set behind Music mountain in n drift of heavy clouds that brought rain. All evening it fell steadily. At eleven o'clock De Spain had given up hope of seeing his emissary before morn ing and was sitting alone before the sound of hoofs. In another moment Bull Page stood at the door.
 He was sorry sight. Soaked to the skin by the steady downpour i; rain dripping intermittently from his rayed hat, his ragged beard and ta- tered coat; shaking with the cold as if gripped by an ague, Bull, picking his staggering steps to the fire, and sinking in heap into chair, sym bolized the uttermost tribute of man. hood to the ravages of whisky. He was not drunk. He had not even been drinking; but his vitality was gone. He tried to speak. It was impos- sible. His tongue would not frame words, nor his throat utter them. He could only look helplessly at De Spain as De Spain hastily made him stand up on his shaking knees, threw big blanket around him, sat him down. kicked open the stove drafts, and called to McAlpin for more whis- ky to steady the wreck of it crouch ing over the fire.
 McAlpin, after considerable and re- luctant search, produced a bottle. and unwilling. for more reasons than one, to trust 1t to Bulls uncertain posses sion. brought a dipper. Bull held the dipper while De Spain poured McAl- pin. behind the stove. hopped first on one foot and then on the other as De Spain recklessly continued to pour. When the liquor half filled the cup. McAlpin put out unmistakable dis tress signals. but Bull, watching the brown stream, his eyes galvanized at the sight. held fast to the handle and made no sign to stop. "Bull!" thun- dered the barn boss with an emphatic word. 'That is Elpaso's bottle. What are you dreaming of. mani Mir. de Spain. you'll kill him. Don't ye see he emit tell ye to stopr'
 Bull. with the last fiickering spark of vitality still left within him. looked steadily up and winked at De Spain. 4cAlpin, outraged. stamped out of the room. Steadying the dipper in both hands Bull with an effort passed one hand at the final moment prelimi- narily over his mouth, and. raising