The Mena weekly star., 1917-06-28
o NAN of @ MUSIC MOUNTAIN By Frank Il. Spedrmdn
 Author of Whispering Smith
AulIlOr q WhiSperinQ Smith.

nm. It told no tales.
 "H this was Henry de Spain." nut tered Elpaso, when Lefever reioined his companions, ''he won't care whether you join hi4 now, or at ten o'clock, or never"
 That is not Henry" asserted Le- fever with his usual cheer. Not with in forty rows of apple trees. It's not Henry's gun, not Henry's heels, not Henry's hair, and thereby, not Henry's head that was hit that time. But it was to finish-and blamed if at first 1t didn't scare me. I thought 1t might be Henry. Hang it, get down and see for yourselves, boys"
 Elpaso answered his invitation with an inquiry. "Who was this fellow fighting with?"
 That, also, is a question. Certainly not with Henry de Spain, because the other fellow, I think, was using soft nosed bullets. No white man does that. much less De Spain"
 Unless he used another rifle" sug- gested Kennedy.
 Tell me how they could get his own rifle away from him if he could fire a gun at all. don't put Henry quite as high with rife as with a revolver If you want to split hairs-mind, say, if you want to split hairs. But no man that's ever seen him handle either would want to try to take any kind of a gun from him. Whoever it was," Le- fever got up into his saddle again, threw some ounces of lead into that piece of rock back there, though I don't understand how anyone could see a. man lying behind it.
 Anyway, whoever was hit here has been carried down the road. Wen try Sassoon's ranch-house if they don't fire on us before we get there.".
 In the sunshine a man in shirt sleeves, leaning against the jamb, stood in the open doorway of Sassoon's shack, watching the invaders as they rode around the bill and gingerly ap- preached. Lefever recognized Satt Nor gan. He flung greeting to him from the saddle,
 Satt answered in kind, but he eyed the horsemen with reserve when they drew up, and he seemed to Lefever al- together less responsive than usual. John spared with him for informa- tion and Satterlee gave back nothing but words.
 Cant tell us anything about De Spain, eh?" echoed Lefever at length. "AlI right, Satt, we'll find somebody that can. Is there bridge over to Dukes on this trailT'
 Satt's nose wrinkled into his normal smile. There's bridge" The re- port of three shots fired in the distance, seemingly from the mouth of the gap, interrupted him. lie paused in his ut terance. There were no further shots, and he resumed: "There is a bridge that way, yes but it was washed out last night. They're blockaded. Duke and Gale are over there. They're pretty sore on your man De Spain. You'd bet ter keep away from 'em this morning unless you're looking for trouble"
 Lefever, having all needed informa- ton from Scott's signal, raised his hand quickly. Not at all," he ex- claimed, leaning forward to emphasize his words and adding the full orbit of his eye to his sincerity of manner. Not at all, Satt. This is all friendly, all friendly. But" he coughed slightly, as if in apology, If Henry shouldn't turn up O. K., we'll-ahem--be back"
 None of his companions needed to be told how to get prudently away. At a nod from Lefever Tommie Meggeson, Elpaso and WIckwire wheeled their horses, rode rapidly back to the turn near the hill and. facing about, halted, with their rifles across their arms. Le- fever and Kennedy followed leisurely, and the party withdrew leaving Satter- lee, unmoved, in the sunny doorway. Once out of sight, Lefever led the way rapidly down the gap to the rem dezvous.
 Of ali the confused impressions that crowded Nan's memory after the wild night on Music mountain, the most vivid was that of noticeably light stepping and not ungraceful fat man advancing. hat In hand, to greet her as she stood with De Spain, weary and bedraggled in the aspen grove.
 A smile famed from her eyes when' turning at once, he rebuked De spain with dignity for not introducing him to Nan, and while De Spain made apol- ogies Lefever introduced himself.
 "And is this," murmured Nan. look ing at him Quizzically, really MT. John Lefever whom I've heard so many stories about?"
 She was conscious of his pleasing eyes and even teeth as he smiled again. If they have come from Mir. de Spain II warn you," said John, take them with all reserve"
 But they haven't all come from MT. de Spain"
 If they come from any of my friends. discredit them in advance. You could believe what my enemies say" he ran on; then added ingenuously. If l had any enemies !" To De Spain he talked very little. It seemed to take but few words to exchange the news. Lefever asked gingerly about the fight. He made no mention whatever of the crimson pool in the road near Sas- soon's hut.
 tContinued Next Meek.l
 
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