Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-02-03

He regarded his niece moment
wrathfuliy and, without replying,
walked back to the house. Nan, upset
but resOlute, went on to the barn and
asked Pardaloe to saddle her pony.
Parlal0e shufiled around in IN obliging
way but at the end Of some evasion
admitted he had orders not to do it.
Nan famed ut the information. She
dislikcd PardalOe anyway, not for any
reason she could assign beyond the
fnct that he had once been chum of
Gales But she was too high-spirited
TO dispute with him, and returned to
the house pink with Indignation. Go
ing straight 70 her uncle. she protested
against such tyranny. Duke was in
sensible alike to her pleas and 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 daybreak 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.
an tell you how it looks to me-
Man, he said when she had done.
''You are like Il person that's being
bound tighter every day by invisible
/ cords. You don't see them because you
are fearless. You are too fearless,
Nan" he added, with apprehension re-
Elected In the expression of his face.
I'm tell you what ! wish you'd do, and
say 1t knowing YOU won't do it, he
concluded.
She made light Of his fears. twisting
his right hand til II 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 it: Marry me, now, here, today, ana
don't take any more chances out there. "
But. Henry" protested Nan, Il 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 Nan"
'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 II don't like
the way things are going"
"Dearie," she urged. should be any
safer Mt home if | were your wife, than
| am as your sweetheart. don't want
! to start a horrible family war by run.
ming away, and that is just what Ger.
tainly should do
De Spain was unconyinccd But ap-
prehensi0n is short-lived in young
hearts. The sun shone, the sky spread
4 speckless blue over desert and noun
tain, the dry went to their castles and
dreams. In retired corner Of the
cool dining room at the Mountain
house, they fingered together over a
long-drawn-out dinner The better-in.
formed guests by asldes indicated their
presence TO others. They described
them as the hardy couple who had first
met in Il stiff Frontier day rifle match
which the girl had won. Her defeated
rival--the man now most regarded and
feared in The mountain country-wus
the man with the reticent mouth. mild
h eyes, curious birthmark, AMI with the
two little, perplexed wrinkles visible
most Of the time just between his dark
eyebrows, the man listening intentIA
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 JACKIE,
hung over the back OF her chair ain
she herself was referred to by thu
more fanciful as queen of the OUTLAW
camp az Music mollntaln.4-
The two were seen together that da,
about town by many. for the story o.
their courishlp was still yelled in mys
terry and afforded ground for TIL,
widest speculation, while that of tllei1
; difficulties, and such particulars as ID,
Spuin's fruitless efforts to cOnciliut,
Duke Morgan and Dukes open threats
against De SPANS life We're widel!
known. All these details made tn,
, movement and the fate of the yo,nl
couple the object of keenly curiou,
comment.
In the late afternoon the two rod,
almost the whole length of Main stree
together on their way to the rive
; bridge Everyone knew the horsoflesl
they bestrode--nOne cleaner-imbed
harder or faster in the high country
Those that watched them amble slow
, ~ past, laughing and talking. inten
only on each other erect, poised an'
moiionless, ns If nodded to their sad
dies, often spike Gf having seen Nal
and her lover that day. II was a Ion,
: time before they were seen ridln
down Main street together again,
frn pt, f,n>rvfNT.rnt