Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1917-05-03
CHAPTER xvliI-continued.

ering finger at her cousin. HE insult
ed me as vilely as he could only a few
months ago on Music mountain. And
Il this very same Henry de Spain
hadn't happened TO be there to protect
me, you would have found me dead
next morning by my own hand. Do
you understand" she cried, painting
and furious. That's what he Isl"
Her uncle tried to break in. "Stop :"
she exclaimed pointing at Gale. HE
never told you that, did he?"
"No, nor you neither" snapped Duke
hoarsely.
Il didn't tell you" retorted Nan, "be-
cause I've been trying to live with you
here in peace among these thieves
and cutthroats, and not keep you
stirred up all the time. And Henry
de Spain faced this big coward and
protected me from him with an empty
revolver! What business of yours is
1t whom l meet, or where l go?" she
demanded, raining her words with
flaming eyes on her belligerent cousin.
81 will never marry you to save you
from the hangman. Now leave this
house" She stamped her foot. Leave
this house, and never come into it
againp
Gale, beside himself with rage, stood
his ground. He poured ali that he
safely could of abuse on Mans own
head. She had appeased her wrath
and made no attempt to retort, only
looking at him with white face and
burning eyes as she breathed defiance.
Duke interfered. Get outl" he said
TO Gale harshly. 'T'll talk to her. Go
homer
Not ceasing to mutter oaths, Gale
picked up his hat and stamped ont of
the house, slamming the doors. Duke,
exhausted by the quarrel, sat down,
eying his niece. "Now what does this
mean?" he demanded hoarsely.
She tried to tell him honestly and
frankly all that her acquaintance with
de Spain did mean-dwslling no more
than was necessary on its beginning,
but concealing nothing of it's develop
ment and consequences nothing of her
love for De Spain, nor of his for her.
But no part of what she could say on
any point she urged softened her
uncle's face. His square, hard Jaw
from beginning to end looked like
stone.
$50 he's your lover2" he said harsh
'ly when she had done.
HE wants to be your friend" re-
turned Nan, determined not to give I'D.
Duke looked at her uncompromislng-
ny. "That man can't ever be any
friend of mine-understand thatl He
can't ever marry you. If he ever tries
no, so help me God, I'll kill him If
hang for it. I know his game. /
know what he wants. He doesn't care
a pinch Of snuff for you He thinks he
can hit me blow by getting you away
from me-"
Nothing could be further from the
truth" exclaimed Nan hOpelessTy.
Duke struck the table a smashing
blow with his fist. "Pll show Mr.. de
Spain and his friends where they get
Off"
"Uncle Duke, If you won't listen to
reason, you must listen to sense. Think
of what a position you put me in. L
love you for all your care of me. L
love him for his affection for me and
consideration of me - because he
knows how to treat a woman. know
he wouldn't harm hair on your head,
for my sake, yet you talk now of
bloodshed between you two. I know
what your words mean--that one of
you, or both of you, are to be killed
for senseless feud. He will not stand
up and let any man shoot him down
without resistance. If you lay your
blood on his head, you know it would
put stain between him and me that
never could be washed out as long as
I'VE lived. If you kill him could never
stay here with you. His blood would
cry out every day and night against
you"
Dukes violent finger shot out at her.
-"And you're the gal took from your
NANNY and promised I'd bring up a
decent woman. You've got none O. her
blood in you-not a drop. You're the
brat Of that mincing brother Of mine,
that was always riding horseback and |
showing off In town while was weed |
ing the tobacco BEDS"
Nan clasped her hands. "Don't |
blame me because I'm your brothers
child. Blame me because I'm q wom-
an, because / have heart, because |
L want to live and see you live, and |
to see suspicion, dlstrust, feuds, |
Sisrlns, and worse. Tn not migrate |
'ul, as You plainly say l am. / want !
ToS - get out of what you are in