The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1917-04-06

way, jumped back, ana the fat man fell,
dn,cpretended to fall, over hlm-for IL
might be seen that the man, despite his
size, had lighted like cat on his feet
dnd was instantly halfway up to the
front Of the shop. exclaimlng profane-
ly~but.. collectively at the lads awk-
yardness, 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 at
d 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
Fash. SORRY you feel that way, Duke,''
returned De SPAIN undlsturbed at IS
q. courtesy we We're glad to extend.
And l want to speak to- you about
Nan, too"
NIorgan's face was livid. "What
about her?'
"She has given me permission to ask
De Spain, 'some time in the reason.
able future"
1t 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.
gans 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 l came UP to
this country, I'll fight YOU"
"Pull your gum" cried Morgan With
an imprecation.
81 won't do 1t. You call me cow
ard. Ask these boys here in the shop
whether they agree with you on that.
You might as well call me an isosceles
triangle. You're just crazy sore at me
4 80 he fr;o lie
Instead Of pulling my gun, Duke, I'll
] lay Ii out on the case, here, to show
you that all ask of you is to talk req.
fson." De Spain, reaching with his left
hand under the lapel of his coat, took
a Colts revolver from its 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 a 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
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 eof. our shooting each other up?'
he asked, ignoring Morgan's furious In,
terruptions. "Who's 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 gapi
You know, just as well as do, the gap
Is no place for q 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 a 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-Tm
not good enough, 1 know that. She's
dear to you, she Is dear to me. II
you really want to see me try to use q
gun, send me man that will insult OF
abuse her. If you want to use your
own gun, use 1t on me II ever insult
or abuse her-is that fairY
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 thatT
Morgan checked himself at that tone
"You can't sneak into my affairs any
deeper" he cried. keep away from
my blood I know how to take care
of my own. I'll do 1t. SO help me God
IL you ever take anyone of my kin
away from me--lt'll be over my dead
bodyw He ended with bitter oath
and final taunt: us that fair2