The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-03-31
CHAPTER xV-continued.

10
But long before Bull Page reached
Calabasas that day De Spain had act
ed. When he left Bull at the bridge
he started for Calabasas, took supper
there, ordered a saddle horse for one
o'clock in the morning, went to his
room, slept soundly, and, shortly after
tain. He walked his horse into the gap
and rode straight for Duke Morgan's
fortress. Leaving the horse under a
heavy mountain pine close to the road,
De Spain walked carefully but directly
around the house to the east side. The
sky was cloudy and the darkness al
most complete. He made his way as
close as he could to Mans window, and
raised the soft, grooming note of the
desert owl.
After a while he was able to distin-
guish the outline CT her easement, and,
with much patience and some little
skill remaining from the boyhood days,
he kept up the faint call. Down at the
big barn the chained watchdog tore
himself with fury of barking at the
Intruder, but mountain lions were COM
mon In the gap, and the noisy sentinel
gained no credit for his alarm. In.
deed, when the dog slackened his
fierceness, De Spain threw a stone over
his way to encourage fresh outburst
But neither the guardian nor the In.
truder was able to arouse anyone
within the house.
Undeterred by his failure, De Spain
held his ground as long as he dared
When daybreak threatened, he with.
drew. The following night he was in
the gap earlier and with renewed de.
termination. He tossed a pebble into
Mans open window and renewed his
soft call. Soon light f1ickered for az
instant within the room and died out
In the darkness following this, De
Spain thought he discerned a figure
outlined at the easement. Some min
utes later a door opened and closed
He repeated TIE cry of the owl, anL
could hear a fOotstep; the next mo-
ment ne whispered her name as she
stood before him.
"What is it you want?" she asked
so calmly that it upset him. "Why dc
you come here?'
Where he stood he was afraid of the
sound of her voice, and afraid of bis
ewn. ITO see you" he said. collectint
himself. Come over to the pine tree
Under its heavy branches, where thu
darkness was most intense, he told hel
why he had come-because he coulC
not see her anywhere outside.
There is nothing to see me about,
she responded, still calm. II helped
you because you were wounded.
was glad to see you get away withou
Eghting-I hate blOOdshed."
"But put yourself in my place E
little, won't you? After what you die
for me, isn't it natural I should wan
TO be sure you are well and not in any
trouble on my account?"
ut may be natural but it isn't nee
here knows even know you"
Excuse me for coming, then.
couldn't rest, Nan, without knowing
something. l was here last night"
II know you were"
He started. you made no sign"
"Why should I? 1 suspected it was
you. When you came again tonight ]
knew should have to speak to you
at least, to ask you not to come again.
But you viii! be in and on. Of town
sometimes, won't you NanY'
IL I am, It will not be to talk with
you"
The words were spoken deliberately
De Spain was silent for a moment
'EOt even to speak to me?" he asked
"fou must know the position / am
H." she answered "And what a DO
RitiOn you place me in if am seen t.
speak to you. This is my home. Yor
Are the enemy of my people"
mot because want to be-"
"And you can't expect them not t.
resent any acquaintance on my par
with you"
He paused before continuing. "D'
you count Gale Morgan as one of you
peopae?" he asked evenly.
Il suppose must"
Don't you think you ought to coun
all OF your friends, your well-wishers
those who would defend you with thei
lives, among your peoplef" She mad
NO answer. Aren't they the kind 0
people" he persisted, "you need whel
yOu are in trouble?"
"You needn't remind me I should b
grateful to you"
MAN 7" he exclaimed.
For / am" she continued, unmovet
But"
aIt's a shame to accuse me in tina
Sgy.~
sTou were thinking when you spok