Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-01-24
He started. III, made no sign"


you. When you came again tonight
knew l shsuld have to speak to you--
ut least, to ask you not to come again"
"But you will be In and out OF town
sometimes. won't you, NanI"
"If am. it will mt be to talk with
you"
The words We're spoken deliberately.
De Spain was silent for Il moment.
mot even to speak to me?' he asked.
"You mus know the position | am
In" she answered. "And what pO-
sitiOn you place me in If am seen to
speak to you This Is my home. You
are the enemy Of my people"
mot because l want to be-"
"And you can't expect them not to
resent any acquaintance on my part
with you"
He paused before continuing. do
you count Gale Morgan as one of your
people?" he asked evenly.
IL suppose must
Don't you think you ought to count
all of your friends, your well-wishers.
those who would defend you with their
lives, among your peope?' She made
no answer. Aren't they the kind Of
people, he persisted. you need when
you are In trouble?"
You needn't remind me | shouIq be
grateful to you-"
"Nan!" he exclaimed
"For am" she continued, unmoved.
"But--"
ITS shame to accuse me IN that
way
"YOu were thinking when you spoke
Of what happened with Gale on Music
mountain
II wish to God you and were on
Music mountain again! never lived
or did anything worth living for, till
you came to me that day on Music
mountain. It's true was thinking of
what happened when spOke-but not
to remind you yor owed, anything to
me. You don't get that out of your
head"
: II do though"
II spoke In the way did because
wanted to remind you of what might
happen some time when I'm not near"
II shan't be caught off my guard
again. know how to defend myself
from Il drunken man."
He could not restrain all the bitter
ness he felt. "Thnt man." he said de-
liberately, "is more dangerous sober
thnn drunk"
"When l can't defend myself, my
uncle will defend me-"
ASK him to let me help"
= "He doesn't need any help. And he
would never ask YOU, If h did, can't
live ut home and know you; that is
why ask you not to como again"
He was silent. Don't you think
all things conSidCred"-she hestated
rs if not knowing how easiest to put
it-"you ought to be willing to shake
hands and say good-by?'
why if you wish it" he answered
taken aback. And he added more Qui
city, Eyes, if you say So
81 mean for good"
81" he returned, pausing, don't.
"You are not willing to be fair
: 81 want to be fair--I don't want t.
promise more than human nature vii
stand for--and then break my word.
! 81 am not asking Il whole lot"
Not whole lot to you. | know
But do you really mean that you don
. want me ever to speak to YOU agan?'
, IF you must put it that way--yes.
"Well"--he took a long breath
"there is one way to make sure of that
I'll tell you honestly | don't want t
stand in the way of such H. wish, 1
it's really yours. AS you have said. /
: isn't fair. perhaps for me to go aguins
: 1t. Got your pistol with you, Nan?
$40"
'"rhnt is the way you take care o
,, yourself, is it?'
I'm not afraid Of YOU
"You ought to be ashamed of your
self not to be- And you don't eve
know whom you'll meet before YOU ca
: lock the front door agnin. You prom
lsed Inc never to go cut without II
Promise me that once more, will YOU 7
: She did MS he asked her. "Now. Civ
me your hnnd, please he went Oh
!, "Take hold of this"
"What is it?'
:. ",rhe butt of my revolver. Don't b
!, afraid" She heard the slight click @
the hammer with Il thrill Of strange ~
). prehension "What are you doing ?
4 she demanded hurricdly.
: ''put your finger on the triggers,
: II Is cooked. Now pull
She caught her breath. "What
you mean?'' -.s4..
4 He was holding the gun in his tw
! hands, his fingers overlapping hers, tn
!, mu2zle Mt the breast of his JACKIE
"pull," he repeated. that's all 70
: have to do; Tin sie0dyins It,"
:. She suatched back her hand. "Wh;
do you menng' she cried. For me
XIII you? Slihme."
:. "You ARE too excited--all I nsl,e
. yo,i wns IL take the trouble TO croo
, your finger- md III. never spcnk