Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1917-04-26
Nan ST
Music
Mountain
By
FRANK II. SPEARMAN
Author of WHISPERING SMITH
Copyright By Charles scriDners sons,


Copyright By Charles scribners sonsl
"When you came back from school
[ told Duke [ was going to marry you.
He said, all right" persisted her cous-
In stubbornly. You said you'd marry
me"
Nan exploded: ct never, never said
so in this world" Her voice shook
with Indignation. you know that's
4 downright faIsehood."
you said you didn't care for any
body else" he fairly beloved. Nov
[ want to know whether you'u marry
me if I take you over to Sleepy Cat
tomorrow
mol" Nan flung out her answer
reckless of consequence. "pn never
marry you. Let me go home"
you'll go home when 1 get through
with you. You've fooled me long
enough"
Her blood froze at the look in his
face. How dare you!" she gasped.
Get out of my way p
you little vixen !" He sprang for
ward and caught her by the wrist. She
fought like a tigress. He dragged her
struggling into his arms. But above
her haIf-stihed cries and his grunting
laugh, Morgan heard a sharp voice /:
Take you hands off that girl ~
Whirling, with Nan in his savage
arms, the half-drunken mOuntaineer
saw De Spain ten feet away, his right
hand resting on the grip Of his re-
volver. Stunned, but sObered by NOR
tai danger, Morgan's grasp relaxed.
Nan, jerking away, looked at De Spain
and instantly stepped in front of her
cousin, on whom De Spain seemed
about to draw.
what are you doing here?" demand
Morgan, with an enraged oath.
81 left some business with you the
other day at Calabasas half finished"
said De Spain. TIN here this after
noon to clean it up. Get away from
that girl -
His manner frightened even Nan.
The quick step to the side and back
posing himself like a fencer-his re-
volver restrained a moment in it's
sheath by an eager right arm, as If
at any instant it might leap into dead
~ play. De SPANS angry face and
burning eyes photographed themselves
ON her memory from that moment.
But whatever he meant she had her
part to do. She backed, with arms
spread low at her sides, directly
against her cousin. you shan't fight"
she cried at De Spain.
Stand away from that mani" re-
torted De Spain.
you Shan't kill my cousin. What
do you mean? What are you doing
here? Leave us!"
Get away, Nan, l tell you. I'll
finish him." cried Morgan, puncturing
every word with an oath.
She Whirled and caught her cousin
in her arms. "He will shoot us both
if you fire. Take me away. Gale.
You coward - she exclaimed whfrIing
again tones on De
Spain, would you Kin a woman?"
De Spain saw the danger was past.
1t needed hardly an instant to show
him that Morgan had lost stomach for
a fight. He talked wrathfully. but he
made no motion to draw. q see I've
got To chase you into a fight" said De
Spain contemptuously, and starting
gingerly to circle the hesitatfng cousin.
Nan, in her excitement, ran directly
toward the enemy, as if to cut off mis-
movement.
Don't you dare put me in danger"
she cried, facing De Spain threaten
ingly. Don't you dare fight my
cousin here"
Stand away from me-" hammered
De Spain, eying Morgan steadily.
He IS wounded now" stormed Nan,
so fast she could hardly frame the
words. You shan't Kill him. IF Won
are man, don't shoot a wOunCed man
and a woman. You Shan't shoot.
Gale! protect yourself" Whirling to
face her cousin, she took the chance to
back directly against De Spain. Both
hands were spread open and partly
behind her, the palms up, as if to
check him. In the instant that she
and De Spain were in contact he real
lied rather than SAVIOR his eyes
never released Morgan's eyes-what
she was frantically slipping to him
the loaded cartridge. 1t was done in a
flash, and she was running from him