The Jasper news. [volume] (Jasper, Missouri) 1898-1924, 1917-04-19
CHAPTER xVIll-Contlnued.


She Whirled, III won't put 1t down.
This hulklng bullyl l 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. Ana
If this very same Henry de Spain
hadn't happened to be there to protect
me, you would have found me dend
next morning by my own hand. DO
you understand" she cried, painting
and furious. That's what he Is J.
Her uncle tried to break In. stop"
she exclaimed pointing ut Gale. lie
never told you that, did heT
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 l meet, or where ! goT she
demanded, raining her words with
flaming eyes on her belligerent cousin.
II 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 1t
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!"
Not 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 hoarseiy.
She tried to tell him honestly and
frankly all that her acquaintance with
De Spain did mean-dwelling no more
than was necessary on its beginning,
but concealing nothing of its 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
uncles 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-
ly. "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 Inc God, I'll kill him If
hang for 1t. know his game.
know what he wants. He doesn't care
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 n 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 position you put me In.
love you for all your care of me.
love him for his affection for me and
consideration of me because he
knows how to treat n woman. l know
he wouldn't harm hair on your head
for my sake, yet you talk now OF
bloodshed between you two. know
what your words mean-that one OF
you, or both of you, are to be killed
for senseless feud. He will not stauC
up and let any man shoot him dowr
without resistance. If you lay youl
blood on his head, you know 1t woulc
put a stain between him and me tina
never could be washed out as long al
we lived. If you kill him could nevel
stay here with you. His blood woulC
cry out every day and night agains
you"
Dukes violent finger shot out at her
"And you're the gal / took from you
mammy and promised I'd bring up
decent woman. You've got none o. he
blood in you-nOt drop. You're tn