Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-02-14
CHAPTER XVII.
Hone Fcrlorn.

There were hours In that night that
each had reason long to remember; a
night that seemed to bring them, in
spite Of their devotion, to the end of
their dream. They parted lnte, each
trying to soften the blow as it fell on
the other, ench processing courage
which, in the face of the revelation,
neither could clearly feel.
In the morning Jeffries brought
down to De Spain. who had spent II
sleepfess night at the Office, letter
from Nan.
De Spain opened ii with acute mis-
givligs Hardly able to believe his
eyes, he slowly read:
DearestA wild hope has come to me-
Perhaps we don't know the truth Of this
terrible story as it really Is. Suppose we
should be condemning poor Uncle Duke
without having the real facts? Sassoon
was a wretch, Henry If ever one lived
a curse to everyone. What purpose he
could serve by repeating this story which
he must have kept very secret till now, /
don't know; but there was some reason
! must know the whole TRUTH feel that
|, alone, can get hold OF It, and that you
would approve what | am doing IL you
were here with me in this little room.
where | am writing at daybreak. 10 show
YOU my heart.
Long before you get this | shall be
speeding toward the gap ! am going
to Uncle Duke to get from him the eX-
act truth Uncle Duke is breaking-has
vi hnt tbo bn c
come, and we must face it. he will tell
mo what ] ask. Whether ! can get him
TO repeat this to you, to come to You to
throw himself on your pity. my dearest
one, ! don't know But it Is for this |
am going to try. and for this | beg OF
your love-the love OF which have been
SO proud that you will let me stay with
him until | at least learn everything and
can bring the whole story to you. II
can bring him, will
And shall be safe with him. perfectly
safe Gale has been driven away. Pard-
| aloe. ! know | can trust and he will be
under the roof with me. Please, do not
try to come to me 1t might ruin every
thing Only forgive me. and shall be
back with what ! hope for or what !
fear very. very soon. Not til then can
| bear to look into your eyes. You Lave
better right than anyone in the world
TO know the whole truth, cost what II
may. Be patient for only a little while
with NAN.
1t was Jeffries who said, nftcrwnrd,
lie hoped never again to be the bearer
of a letter such rs that. Never until
lie had read and grasped the contents
Of INNS note had Jeffries seen the
bundle of resource aud nerve and
sinew, that men called Henry dc
Spain, 90 to pieces. For once. trouble
overbore him.
When he was able to speak he told
JeIfries everything. ut Is my fault, i"
he said hopelessly. 81 was so crippled
80 stunned, she pust have thought
see It now---that ] was making ready
to ride out by daybreak and shoot
Duke down on sight. It's the price a
mnn must pay, Jeffries, for the abll-
lty to defend himself against this
bunch Of holdup men and assasslns
Because they can't get me, I'm Il gun.
nnn---"
"N0, you're not u 'g,lnman.
"A gunman and nothing else. That's
what everybody, friends and enemies
reckon me---a gunmnn. You put me
here to elem out this Calnbnsas gung
not because Of my good looks, but
BECAUSE I've been. so fur a fraction OF
second quicker on II trigger than
these double-d------d crooks"s
gro BE CONTfNuED)