The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1917-05-26
CHAPTER XIX.
A Try-Out.

\ Try-Out.
Sleepy Cat Is not so large a place
that one would ordinarily have much
trouble In finding a man in 1t IL he
searched well. But Duke Morgan
drove into town next morning and had
to stay for three days waiting for a
chance to meet De Spain. Duke was
not a man to talk much when he had
anything Of moment to put through,
and he had left home determined, be-
fore he came back. to finish for good
with his enemy.
De Spain himself had been putting
of for weeks every businessman would
bear putting off, and had been forced
at length to run down to Medicine
Bend to buy horses. Nan, after her
uncle left home-justly apprehensive
Of his intentions-made frantic efforts
to get word to De Spain of what was
impending. She could not telegraph
publicity that she dreaded would
have followed at once. De Spain had
expected to be back in two days. Such
letter as she could have sent would
not reach him at Medicine Bend.
AS 1t was, distressing amount of
talk did attend Dukes efforts to get
track Of De Spain. Sleepy Cat had
but one Interpretation for his inQui-
ries-and fight, If one occurred be-
tween these men, 1t was conceded,
would be historic in the annals Of the
town. Its anticipation was food for
all Of the rumors of three days Of sus-
pense. For the town they were three
days OF thrilling expectation; for Nan,
isolated, without a confidant, not
knowing what to do or which way to
turn, they were the three bitterest
days Of anxiety she had ever known.
Desperate with suspense at the close
Of the second day-wild for scrap of
news, yet dreading one-she saddled
her pony and rode alone into Sleepy
/ Cat after nlghtfall to meet the train
on which DE Spain had told her he
would return from the east. She rode
straight to the hospital, instead OF
going to the livery barn. and leaving
her horse, got supper and walked by
way of unfrequented streets downtown
to the station to wait for the train.
J When the big train drew slowly, al
most noiselessly, In, Nan took heI
place where no incoming passenger
could escape her gaze and waited fol
De Spain. But when all the arrivals
had been accounted Cor. he had no:
come.
She turned, heavy-heartnx, TO walk
back uptown, trying to think u whom
she might seek some information con.
corning De SPANS whereabouts, when
her eye fell on a man standing not
ten feet away at the door of the bag.
gage room. He was alone and seemed
to be watching the changing Of the
engines, but Nan thought she knew
him by sight. The rather long. straight
black hair under the broad-brimmed
hat marked the man known and hated
In the gap as "the Indian" Here, she
said to herself, was chance. De
Spain, she recalled, spoke of no one
oftener than this man. He seemed
wholly disengaged.
depressing her nervous timidity
Nan walked over to him. "Aren't you
Mr.. ScottT she asked abruptly.
Scott, turning to her, touched his
hat as II quite unaware until that mo.
nent Of her existence. "Did Mr.. de
Spain get of this train?" she asked, as
Scott acknowledged his identity.
81 guess he didn't come tonight
Nan noticed the impressive manner OF
his speaking and the low, even tones
II was kind of looking for him my.
self"
'Is there another train tonight he
could come on7'
II don't think he will be back now
before tomorrow night"
Nan, much disappointed, looked up
the line and down. Il rode In this
afternoon from Music mSsntain espe-
cially to see him."
Scott, without commenting. smiled
with understanding and encourage
ment, and Nan was so filled with anxi-
ETY. that she welcomed a chance to
talk to somebody. "Tve often heard
him speak of you" she ventured,
searching the dark eyes, and watching
the open, kindly smile characteristic
Of the man. Scott put his right hand
out at his side. I've ridden with
that boy since he was 20 high"
Il know he thinks everything Of
you."
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