The Jasper news., 1917-04-26

admitted he had orders not to do II.
| Nan famed ut the information. She
disliked Pardaloe anyway, not for any
reason she could assign beyond the
fact that he had once been chum of ]
Gale's. But she was too high-spirlted
TO dispute with him, and returned to
the house pink with indignation. Co
ing straight to her uncle, she protested
against such tyranny. Duke was in
sensible alike to her pleas aud her
threats.
But next morning Nan was up at
three o'clock. She made her way into
the barn before soul was stirring,
and at dnybreak was well on her way
to Sleepy Cat. She telephoned to De
Spain's Office from the hospital and
went to breakfast. De Spain Joined
her before she had finished, and when
they left the dining room she explained
why she had disappointed him the day
before. He heard the story with mis-
givings.
"I'll tell you how 1t looks to me,
Man." he said when she had done.
"You are like n person that's being
bound tighter every day by invisible
cords. You don't see them because you
are fearless. You are too fearless,
Man," he added, with apprehension re-
flected in the expression of his face.
"I'll tell you what wish you'd do, and
l say 1t knowing you won't do It," he
concluded.
She made light of his fears, twisting
his right hand till 1t was helpless In
her two hands and laughing at him.
How do you know won't do it?"
Because I've asked you before. This
Is 1t: Marry me, now, here, today, und
don't take any more chances out there"
"But, Henry" protested Nan, II can't
marry you now and just run away from
poor Uncle Duke. If you will just be
patient, I'll bring him around to our
side"
"Never, Man."
Don't be so sure. know him bet
ter than you do, and when he comes
for anybody, he comes all at once.
Why, It's funny Henry. Now that I'm
picking up courage, you're losing it,!
He shook his head. 81 don't like
the way things are going"
"Dcarle," she urged, SHOULD be any
safer at home If were your wife, than
am as your sweetheart. don't want
to start horrible family war by run
ming AWAY, and that is just what GER
tninly should do"
De Spuin was unconvinced. But up-
prehension Is short-lived In young
hearts. The sun shone, the sky spread
u speckless blue over desert and noun
tain, the day went to their castles and
dreams. In a retired corner of the
cool dining room ut the Mountain
house, they fingered together over q
long-drnwn-out dinner. The better-in-
formed guests by asides indicated their.
presence to others. They described
them as the hardy couple who had first
met in n stiff Frontier day rifle match,
which the girl had won. = Her defeated
rival-the man now most regarded and
feared in the mountain country-was
the man with the reticent mouth, mild
eyes, curious blrthmark, and with the
two little, perplexed wrinkles visible
most of the time just between his dark
eyebrows, the man listening intently
TO every syllable that fell from the lips
of the trinity bloused, active girl oppo-
site him, leaning forward in her eager
ness to tell him things. Her jucket
hung over the back of her chair, and
she herself was referred to by the
more fanciful as queen of the outlaw
camp at Music mountain.
The two were seen together that day
about town by many, for the story of
their courtship was still yelled In mys-
terry and afforded ground for the
widest speculation, while that of their
difficulties, and such particulars as De
Spain's fruitless efforts to cOnciliate
Duke Morgan and Dukes open threats
against De Spain's life were widely
known. All these details made the
movement and the fate of the young
couple the object Of keenly curious
comment.
In the late afternoon the two rode
almost the whole length of Main street
together on their way to the river
bridge. Everyone knew the horsefesh
they bestrOde-none eleaner-limbed,
harder or faster In the high country.
: Those that watched them amble slow
, ly past, laughing and talking, intent
only on each other, erect, poised and
motlonless, as If nodded to their sad
dies, often spoke Of having seen Nan
and her lover that day. 1t was long
time before they were seen riding
!. down Main street together again.
u
HhApTER wv