The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1917-04-26
CHAPTER XII.
ParleY,

| Farley.
She stood beside the rock from
which the ledge was reached from be.
low and as If she had just stepped I'D
into sight. Her rifle was so held in
both hands that it could be fired from
her nip, and at such close quarters
with deadly accuracy. As she stood
WIN 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
MIN. Unaware of the forbiddfng spec
tacle he presented, De Spain, swept by
a bra1nstorm at the appearance of this
Morgan-the only one of all the Nor
gans he had not fancied covering him
and waiting to deliver his death war
rant-felt fury sweep over him at
the wild thought that she meant to kill
him.
Whatever she meant to do, he could
no more fire at this girl, even had he
chance-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-
demnation, and felt in no way moved
to argue her verdict. 81 suppose" he
said, at length, not trying to Disguise
ms 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 inffamed and
sunken, his lips crusted and swollen.
the birthmark fastened wildly on his
cheek, made him desperate sight. Re
garding him steadily, Nan, as bewiI-
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
defantly and for another moment in
silence. "f you are going to kill me-"
he continued, looking into her eyes
without any thought of appeal, "do it
quick"
Something in his long, unyielding
gaze impelled her to break the spell
of it. 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. "Hfding"
he said harshly.
Hiding to kill other menE Mans
accusation as she cIutched her rife
was almost explosive.
He regarded her coolIy, and with the
interval he had had for thinking. his
wits were clearing. do 1 look like |
a man hunting for a fight? Or" he |
added, since she made no answer. 'like |
a man hunting for a quiet spot to die |
n?"
Il know you are a murderer"
In spite of his weakness he flushed.
No" he exclaimed sharply, I'm not
1 murderer. If you think it''-he point
ed contemptuously to her side-"you
nave your rifle-use tt!'
you came here to hide to kill some
body" she exclaimed.
What do you mean by here? l
night better ask why you came here"
lie retorted. Il don't know where |
I'm. Do look as if came here by
He paused. Listen" he
aid, quite master of himself. "Tll tell
you why l came. l shall never get
way alive, anyway--you can have the
ruth If you want it. I got off nv
lorse in the night to get a drink. He
,olted. 1 couldn't walk. climbed I'D
lere to hide till my wounds heal. Now,
We told you the truth. Where am II"
The grip of her hands on the rifle
night have relaxed somewhat, but she
aw his deadly revolver in its accus-
omed place and did not mean to sur
ender her command of him. Nor
7ould she tell him where he was. She
arried his questions. He could get no
of any sort out of her I
'et he saw that something more than J
is mere presence detained and per- l
lexed her. Her prompt condemna- {
on of him ranked in his mind. and !
ne strain of facing her suspicion wore /
n him. Il won't ask you anything {
lore" he said at length. "You think /
We no right to live-that's what you '
link, isn't it? Why don't you shoot?" 4
he only stared at him. "Why don't t
on answerT he demanded recklessly. q
Nan summoned her resolution. Il fl