The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1917-03-30
Continued From Our Lase Issue)

Man." de Spain muttered, I've
got you into a fix. IL we can't
stop that fellow he is liable to stop
stop that fellow he is liable to stop
us. Can you see anything"
Henry" She was looking
straight down into the valley. rs
there anything moving on the
ridge-over there-see-just east
of Sassoon's ranch house?"
De Spain, his eyes bent on the
point Nan indicated. drew her for
ward to dip in the trail which,
to one stretched flat, afforded a
slight protection. \
De Spain spoke slowly: give
me your rifle" He held out his
hand, keeping his eyes rigidly on
the suspicious spot on the ridge.
How far is it to that road, Nan?"
She looked toward the faint line
that lay in the deep shadows be-
low. Three hundred yards"
Nan, If it wasn't for you, I
couldn't travel this country at
ALL" he,<remarked with studious
unconcern. Last time l had no
ammunition-this time, no rifle
you always have what's needed.
How high are we, Nam"
Seven hundred feet"
Elevate for me, Nan, will your"
Remember the wind" she fall
tered, adjusting the sight as he
had asked.
Throwing the rifle to his shoul-
der, de Spain covered hardly
perceptible black object and fired.
Once, twice, three times his hand
fell and rose sharply on the lever,
with every mark of precision.
The fire came steadily back. and
deliberately, without the least in
timation OF being affected by de
SPANS return.
Nan tried to close her eyes to the
figure of de Spain fighting for her
life and his own. Her rifle, at his
shoulder, seemed in his hands q
deadly part Of his arm and eye and
brain.
Then, while she looked. breath
lessly, he took his eyes an instant
from the sights. Hes running!"
exclaimed de Spain, as the rifle
butt went instantly back to his
cheek. Whoever he is, God help
him now."
The words were more fearful to
Nan than imprecation. He had
driven his enemy from the scant
cover of a rut in the trail, and the
man was fleeing for life.
Bullet after bullet followed
the escaping wretch. Suddenly de
Spain jerked the rifle from his
cheek, threw back his head and
swept his left hand across his
straining eyes. The black speck
running toward the ranch house
sprawled headlong in the trail.
De Spain did not fire again.
Second after second he waited to
be sure there was no ruse. With
out taking his eyes off the sprawl
ing speck, he rose stiffly to his
feet. AS If in a dream she saw his
hand stretched toward her and
heard, as he looked across the far
gulf, one word: Come"
OF all the confused impressions
that crowded Mans memory after
the wild night on Music Mountain,
the most vivid was that of a no.
ticeably light stepping and not I'M
graceful fat man advancing, hat in
hand, to greet her as she stood
with de Spain, waery and bedrag-
gled in the aspen grove.
A smile famed from her eyes
when, turning at once, he rebuked
de Spain with dignity for not in
Producing him to Nan, and while
de Spain made apologies Lefever
introduced himself.
."And Is this murmured Nan,
really Mr.. John Lefever, whom
I've heard so many stories about ?"
She was conscious of his pleas
ing eyes and even teeth as he
smiled again. "If they have come
from Mr.. de SPAIN warn YOU
said John, take them with all re-
serve"
The rest of the story is soon
told. The death of Sassoon,
coupled with the escape of Nan
with de Spain SO enraged Gale
Morgan that he turned upon his
uncle in unbridled fury. And for
the first time old Duke saw HIS
nephew as he really was. In his
heart he was thankful that Nan
escaped the british fellow, and
later that same winter, when Gale
met his fate in a terrible storm
when returning to the Gap from
Sleepy Cat, where he had become
unmanageable drunk, Duke did
not truly grieve.
And when with the spring came
Nan making overtures for peace,
the lonely old man was only too
glad to accept. And once the pact
was made, he and Mans husband
became great friends.
The railroad has not yet been
built across the Sinks to Thief
River. But only those who lived
In Sleepy Cat In its really wild
stage days are entitled TO call