The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1917-04-21
"You Coward" She Cried.

M
"You coward!" She Cried.
Go to Henry de SPANS face, you
skulker, and say that if you dare"
"Put down that quirt, Man," yelled
her uncle.
II won't put it down." she exclaimed
deiantly. "And he will get good
flashing with it If he says one more
word about Henry de Spain.'
PUT down that quirt, I tell you,"
Numbered her uncle.
She whirled. Il won't put it down.
This hulking bully! I know him bet
ter than you do" She pointed q Quiv-
ering finger at her cousin. "He insult
ed me as vilely as he could only few
months ago on Music mountain. And
If 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 is!''
Her uncle tried to break in. "Stop!"
she exclaimed pointing at Gale. "He
never told you that, did hep
mo, nor you NEITHER" snapped Duke
hoarsely.
II 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 I meet, or where GOT" she
demanded, raining her words with
flaming eyes on her belligerent cousin.
Il will never marry you to save you
from the hangman. Now leave this
house." She stamped her foot. 'sLeave
this house, and never come into it
again!"
Gale, beside himself with rage, stood
his ground. He poured all 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 out!" he said
to Gale harshly. "I'll talk to her. Go
home"
Mot ceasing to mutter oaths, Gale
picked up his hat and stamped out 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-dwelling no more
than was necessary on it's 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 lover?" he said harsh
ly when she had done.
"He wants to be your friend" re-
turned Nan, determined not to give up.
Duke looked at her uncompromising-
~. "That man can't ever be any
friend of mine-understand that! He
can't ever marry you. If he ever tries
to, so help me God, I'll kill him If l
hang for it. I know his game. I
knew 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 hopelessly.
Duke struck the table a ssmashing
blow with his fist. It'll 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 position you put me in.
love you for all your care of me. 1
love him for his affection for me and
consideration of me - because he
knows how to treat woman. know
he wouldn't harm hair on your head,
for my sake, yet you talk now Of
bloodshed between you two. l know
what your words mean-that one of
you, or both Of you, are to be killed
for a senseless feud. He will not stand
UP and let any man shoot him down
without resistance. II you lay your
blood on his head, you know it would
out stain between him and me that