Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1917-06-21
p XII.
Farley.

she stood beside the rock from
which the ledge was reached from be.
low and as II she had just stepped IN
into sight. Her rifle was so held In
both hands that it could be fired from
her hip. and at such close quarters
with deadly accuracy. As she stood
with startled eyes fixed on his bag
gard face, her slender neck and poised
head were very familiar to De Spain.
And her expression, while it reflect.
ed her Mortified alarm. did not conceal
her anger and aversion at the sight of
nm, unaware of the forbidding spec
tacle he presented, De Spain, swept by
a brainstorm at the appearance of this
M~organ-the only one of all the Nor.
sails he had not fancied covering him
and waiting to deliver his death war
rnnt--felt a fury sweep over him at
the wild thought that she meant to kill
him.
Whatever she meant to do, he could
no o fire at this girl, even had he
Il c~hance-and he realized he was at
her mercy-than he could at his sister ;
and he lay with his eyes bent on hers,
trying to read her purpose. He read
In her face only adherence and con-
demnatlon, and felt in no way moved
to argue her verdict. II suppose" he
said, at length, not trying to disguise
his bitter resentment Of her presence,
you've come to finish me-"
His shirt stained and tattered for
bandages, his hair matted in blood on
his forehead. his eyes inflamed and
sunken, his lips crusted and swollen,
the birthrnark fastened wildly on his
cheek. made him u desperate sight. Re
garding him steadily, Nan, as Devil.
dered as If she had suddenly come on
a great wounded beast of prey still
dangerous. made no response to his
words. The two stared at each other
tdetfantly and for another moment In
silence. III you are going to kill me-
he continued, looking into her eyes
without any thought of appeal, "do II
quick"
Something In his long, unyieldinp
gaze impelled her to break the spell
Of 1t. "What are you doing here?'
she demanded with anger, curbing her
voice to control her excitement as best
she could.
De Spain, still looking at her, an
swered only after a pause. Hiding"
he said harshly.
Hiding to kill other men!" Mans
accusation as she clutched her rifle
was almost explosive.
He regarded her coolly, and with the
interval he had had for thinking, his
wits were clearing. "Do | look llhe
n man hunting for n fight? Or" he
added. since she made no answer, "lr,e
a man hunting for q quiet spot to die
I'M"
II know you are a murderer"
In spite Of his weakness he flushed,
NO." he exclaimed sharply, I'm not
n murderer. II you think The point
ed CONTEMPORARY to her side-"you
have your riile--use itw
"You came here to hide to kill some.
body!" she exclaimed.
"What do you mean. BY 'hese'i /
might better ask why you cams herss1
he retorted. Il don't know where !
au. Do I look al II / came here b,
choice" He paused. Listen" b,
said. quite master Of himself, "I1i tel
you why ! came. ! shall never &C.
away alive, anyway-you can have tn,
truth if you want Il. got OF m,
horse In the night to set 4 drink. H,
bolted. ! couldn't walk. / climbed OF
hers to hide ill my wounds heal. Now
i've told you the truth. Where am n
The grip Of her hands on the rid,
might have relaxed somewhat, but sh,
raw bin deadly revolver In its accus
toned place and did not mean to sur
render her command Of him. No
would che tell him where he was, Hh,
{ pan1ed bis questions. He could ret o,
) Information Of any sort out Of hes
4 Yet he saw that something more thai
.his mere presence detained and Dor
b picked her. Her prompt condenna
\ ton Of him rankled IN his mind. an,
{ the strain Of facing her suspicion wor,
On him. " won't ask you anythlnI
more" hs said ct length. you thlui
{ rye! no right to n~vs-that's what 70,
! think, Isn't IT. Why don't ~ shooti
B b. only stared at him, "vvhy dom