Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-01-22

,ns being so near .ier anu happy thns
she made no retreat. My reputa
ton" he insisted, has suffered little
in Morgan's gap. mean that at least
one who makes her home under Music
mountain shall know differently of me.
What's that?' He heard sound.
"Listen"
The two, looking at each other,
trained their ears to hear more
through the rush of the falling water.
someone is coming said De Spain.
Nan ran lightly 10 where she could
peep over the ledge. Hardly pausins
us she glanced down. she steppeo
quickly back. "lll go right on up the
mountain to the azalea fields she said
hastily.
lie nodded. "Tl hide. Stop. L
you are questioned, you don't know
Pm here. You must say SO for your
own sake not for nine"
She was gone before he had finished.
De Spain drew quickly back to where
he could secrete himself In another
moment he heard heavy footsteps
where he had stood with his visitor.
But the footsteps crossed the ledge,
and their sound died away up the
path Nan had taken. Then snatches
Of two voices began to reach him. lie
could distinguish Mans, voice and ut
intervals The heavier tones of man.
The two were descending. In few
moments they reached the ledge, and
De Spain, near ut hand, could hear
every word.
'Ilold on a minute" said the man
roughly. Ills voice was heavy and his
utteranco harsh.
~ must 20 home" objected Nan.
"Hold On, ] tell you" returned her
companion. De Spain could not see,
but he began already to feel the scene.
Il want to talk to you.
1--WE can talk going down." parted
Nan.
De Spain heard her hurried foot
falls. mo, you don't" retorted her
companion, evidently cutting off her
retreat.
"Gale Morgan" There was blaze
in Mans sharp EXCLAMATION. "What
do you mean!"
II mean you and are going to have
this out right here. before we leave
this ledge
'IIow dare you stop me!'
"l'll show you what l dare, young
lady. You'll talk things over with me
right here and as long rs like he re-
torted suvusely. every time ask you
, TO marry me you've got some new
excuse
cts shameful for you to act in this
: way, Gale She spoke low end rap
! idly to Ter en.uged SuitCr De Spain
: alone knew it WAS to keep her hui
t initiation from his own cars, and he
made no effort to follow her quick,
pleading words. The moment was most
, embarrassing for two OF the three in.
+ yolyed. But nothing that Nan could
f say would win from her cousin any
+ rcpriCVc.
g "Whon you came back from school
: / tQll Duke | was going 30 marry you
A lie said. all right" persisted her eous
in stubborniy. You said you'd marry
;. me-"
: Nan exploded: II never, never saiC
a., \ H.,
with indignation. you know that,
$ Il downright fulsehood."
: "Yoa said you didn't care for any
y body else he fairly beloved. "Nov
e | want to know whether you'll MARI.
g me if take you over TO Sleepy Ca
h tomorrow
/; 40" Nan flung out her answc
It reckless Of consequence, "I'll ncvc
r marry you. Let me 90 home
Q 'Noull 90 home when get through
with you. You've fooled me .oni
enough
e Her blood frozc at the look in hi
( face. How dare you" she gaspcd
), Get out Of my way"
4 "You little vixen" He sprang for
l, ward and caught her By the wrist. Sh
a fought like tigress. He dragged he
e struggling into his arms. But abov
d her halfstined cries and his gruntin
laugh, Morgan heard sharp voice
.. "Take you hands off that girl"
t. Whiring, with Nan in his savag
Z arms, the half-drunken mountaince
e saw De Spain ten feet away, his RICH
II hand resting on the grip of his r.
volver Stunned, but sobered by moi
l. tai danger, Morgan's grasp relaxed
ic Nan, jerking away, looked at De Spal
n, and instantly stepped in front of he
cousin, on whom De Spain SCENE
,e about to draw.
y "Wh0t are you doing here?" demant
Morgan, with an enraged oath.
81 left some business with YOU I'll
other day at Calabasas half finished
ii said De Spain. I'm here this aftc
n noon to clean 1t UP. Get away frol
" that girl ~
II Ills manner frightened even MAJ
ID The quick step to the side and back
~ posing himself like Il fencer---his r.
y, volyer restrained moment in Il
III sheath by an eager right arm. as
TT any instant it might leap into deaf
y " play. De SPANS angry face an