The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-04-14


or pretended to fall, over him-for it
might be seen that the man, despite his
size, had lighted like cat on his feet
and was instantly halfway up to the
front of the shop, exciasming profane,
ly but collectively at the lads awk-
wardness, before De Spain had had
time to reply to the insult.
The noise and confusion of the Incl.
dent were considerable. Morgan was
too old fighter to look behind him &C
critical moment. No man could say
he had meant to draw when he stamped
the card underfoot, but De Spain read
it In his eye and knew that Lefever's
sudden diversion at the rear had made
him hesitate; the crisis passed like
flash. "Sorry you feel that way, Duke"
returned De Spain, undisturbed. at is
courtesy we were glad to extend.
And l want to speak to you about
Nan, too"
Morgan's face was livid. "What
about herr"
"She has given me permission to ask
your consent to our MARRIAGE" said
De Spain, 'some time in the reason
able future"
It was difficult for Duke to speak
at all, he was so Infatuated. "You can
get my consent in just one way" he
managed to say, that's by getting me-"
"Then I'm afraid I'll never get it, for
I'll never get you, Duke"
A torrent of oaths fell from Nor
CAMS cracked lips. He tried to tell De
Spain in his fury that he knew all
| about his underhand work, he called
him more than one hard name, made
no secret of his deadly enmity, and
challenged him to end their differ
ences then and there.
De Spain did not move. His left
hand again lay on the cigar case
'Duke," he said, when his antagonist
had exhausted his vituperation, II
wouldn't fight you, anyway. You're
crazy angry at me for no reason on
earth. If you'll give me just one good
reason for feeling the way you do to-
ward me, and the way you've always
acted toward me since came up to
this country, I'll fight you.'
"Pull your gun" cried Morgan with
an imprecation.
II won't do it. You call me a cow
ard. Ask these boys here in the shop
! whether they agree with you on that.
You might as well call me an isosceies
! triangle. You're just crazy sore at me
when want to be friends with you.
Instead Of pulling my gun, Duke, I'll
lay 1t out on the case, here, to show
you that all / ask of you is to talk rea.
son." DE Spain, reaching with his left
hand under the lapel of his coat, took
a Colts revolver from it's breast har-
ness and laid it, the muzzle toward
himself, on the plate-glass top of the
cigar stand. 1t reduced him to the ne
cessity of spring into Morgan for the
smallest chance for his life If Morgan
should draw; but De Spain was des-
perate gambler in such matters even
at twenty-eight, and he laid his
wagers on what he could read in an
others eye.
There's more reasons than one why
I shouldn't fight you," he said evenly.
Duke, you're old enough to be my IA
ther--do you realize that? What's the
good OF our shooting each other up?"
he asked, ignoring Morgan's furious in.
terruptions. ''Whos to look after Nan
when you go--as you must, before very
many years? Have you ever asked
yourself that? Do you want to leave
her to that pack of wolves in the gap?
You know, just as well as do, the gap
is no place for high-bred, fine
grained girl like Nan Morgan. But the
gap is your home, and you've done
right to keep her under your roof and
under your eye. Do you think I'd like
to pull trigger on man that's been
q father to Nan? Damnation, Duke,
could you expect me to do 1t, willing
ly? Nan is queen. The best in the
world isn't good enough for her-Pm
not good enough, know that. She's
dear to you, she is dear to me. II
you really want to see me try to use
| gun, send me man that will insult or
abuse her. If you want to use your
own gun, use 1t on me If ever insult
or abuse her--is that fair?"
"Damn your fine words" exclaimed
Morgan slowly and implacably. "They
don't pull any wool over my eyes. !
know you, De Spain--I know your
breed
| whats that?"
/ Morgan checked himself at that nssa
"You can't sneak into my affairs any
deeper" he cried. Keep away from
my blood! know how to take care
of my own. I'll do 1t. So help me God,
If You ever take anyone of my kin
away from me-it'll be over my dead
body" He ended with a bitter oath
and final taunt: "Is that fair?"