The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1917-06-21

ing finger. you used to be a man,
Duke. I've taken from you here to-
night what would take from no man
on earth but for the sake of Nan Nor
gan. She asked me never to touch you.
But if you've gone into this thing TO
trap your own flesh and blood, your
dead brothers girl, living under your
own protection, you don't deserve
mercy, and tonight you shall have
what's coming to you. I've fought you
both fair, too fair Now-before /
leave-it's my girl or both of you"
He was standing near Druel. With
out taking his eyes off the other man.
he caught Druel with his left hand by
the coat collar, and threw him half
way across the room. Get upstairs,
you old carrion, and tell Nan Morgan
Henry de Spain is here to talk to her"
Druel, frightened to death, scrambled
into the hall. He turned on De Spain
I'm an officer of the law. l arrest
you for trespass and assault" he
shouted shaking with fear.
EIA ANoA llC CClOtu De SDulu GOIl-
temptuously. "You scoundrel, if you
don't climb those stairs, I'll send you
to the penitentiary the day get back
to town. Upstairs with your message ?
ut isn't necessary" said low voice
in the hail. and with the words Nan
appeared in the open doorway. Her
face was white, but there was no sign
of haste or panic in it; De Spain
chOked back breath; to him she had
never looked in her silence so awe
inspiring.
He addressed her, holding his left
hand out with his plea. MAN." he
said, controlling his voice, these men
were getting ready to marry you TO
Gale Morgan. No matter how you feel
toward me, you know me well enough
to know that all want is the truth:
Was this with your consent?"
She stepped into the line of fire be-
tween her cousin and De Spain as she
mo. You know l shall
never marry any man but you. This
vile bully''-she turned a little to look
at her angry cousin-"has influenced
Uncle Duke-who never before tried
TO prosecute or betray me-into joining
him in this thing. They never could
have dragged me into it alive. And
they've kept me locked up for three
days in a room upstairs, hoping to
break me down."
STAND back, Nan"
If De Spain's' words of warning
struck her with terror of a situation
she could not control, she did not re-
veal it. NO." she said resoluteIy. eff
here is to be shot, I'll be first.
Uncle Duke, you have always protect
ed me from Gale Morgan; now you join
hands with him. You drive me from
this roof because l don't know how
can protect myself under it,"
Gale looked steadily at her. You
promised to marry me-" he muttered
"rll find way to make
you keep your word"
A loud knocking interrupted him,
md, without waiting to be admitted,
3ardaloe, the cowboy, opened the front
loor and stalked boldly in from the
lall.
If the situation in the room surprised
him, he gave no evidence of it. And
is he walked in Nan disappeared. Par
ialoe was drenched with rain, and, TAX
ng off his hat as he crossed the room
o the fire, he shook il hard into the |
blazing wood.
"What do you want, Pardaloe?"
snapped Duke.l
Pardaloe shook his hat once more |
md turned few steps so that he stood |
he light 1.-THE creeks up" he said |
o Duke in his peculiarly slow, steady
one. Some of Salts boys are trying
o get the cattle out of the lower cor
al" He fingered his hat, looked first
II Duke, then at Gale, then at De
spain. Guess they'll need a little
lelp, so l asked Sassoon to come
,ver-" Pardaloe jerked his head in
licatively toward the front. Hes out
ide with some of the boys now"
Tell Sassoon to come in here!"
numbered Gale.
De Spain's left arm shot out. Hold
IN, Pardaloe; pull down that curtain
,ehind you!"
Don't touch that curtain, Parda-
oe ~ shouted Gale Morgan.
"Pardaloe," said De Spain, his left
rm pointing menacingly and walking
instantly toward him, pull that cur
ain or pull your gun, quick" At that
noment Nan, in hat and coat, reap
cared in the archway behind De
pain. Pardaloe jerked down the cur
ain and started for the door. De Spain
ad backed up again. stop, Parda-
1e." he called. my men are outside
hat door. Stand where you are" he
rdered. still enforcing his commands
nth his right hand covering the hol-
fer at his hip. 81 leave this room
rst. Nan. are you ready?" he asked
.ithout looking at her.
Eyes"
Her uncle's face whitened. Don't
ave this house tonight Man, he said
you've forced me to, Uncle Duke"
Don't leave this house tonight"
81 can't protect myself in it."
Don't leave this hOuse-most of all. {
18th that mani !" He pointed at De Q
pain with frenzy of hatred. With {
ut answering, the two were retreating Q
ito the darkness of the dining G
,om. NAN" came her uncle's voice, Q
parse with feeling, YOU'RE saying G
bobby to me forever" J
mo. uncle" she cried. 81 am only {