Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-02-08
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Author Of Whispering Smith,

keep the girl in the room if she had
Nita TO help her. And want it I'M
derstood, Gale, between you and me,
fair and square, that Mans goin' to
live right here with me after this mar
ringe till I'm satisfied she's willing
to go to you otherwise 1t can't take
place. now or never"
De Spain opened his ears. Gale
felt the hard. cold tone of his crusty
relative, and answered with like
harshness: "What do you keep harp
ing on that for? You've got my word
All ! want of you Is to keep yours
understands"
Come, come" interposed Druel.
"There's no need of hard words. But
we need two witnesses. Who's going
20 be the other witnessI'
Before anyone could answer De
Spain stepped out into the open arch
way before the three men. I'll act
as the second Witness" he said.
With Il common roar the MOrgans
bounded to their feet. De Spain,
standing slightly sldewise, his coat
lapels tapped wide open, his arms
akimbo, and his hands on his hips
faced the three in an attitude of read
mess only. He had reckoned on the
instant of indecision which Mt times,
when coupled with apprehension, par
alyzes the will of two men acting to-
gether. Under the circumstances ei-
thei Of the Morgans alone would have
whipped a gun on De Spain ut sight.
Together, and knowing that to do SO
meant death to the one, that took the
first shot from the archway. each wait
ed for the other; that fraction of a
second unsettled their purpose. In
stead of bullets, each launched curses
at the intruder and every second that
passed led away from fight.
De Spain took their oaths, demands
and abuse without batting an eye.-
I'm here for the second witness, y
was all he repeated covering both
men with short Chances. Druel, his
fnce muddy white as the whisky
bloat deserted ii. shrunk inside his
shabby clothes. De Spain with each
epithet hurled at him took dreaded
step toward Gale. and Druel in the
line of fire. brought his knees up and
his head down till he curled like a
porcupine.
Gale, game us he undoubtedly was
4 cornered, felt perhaps recolections of
4 Calabasas and close quarters with the
brown eyes and the burning face
What they might mean in this little
room, which De Spain was crossing
step by step, was food for thought
Nor did De Spain break his obstinate
silence until their burst of rage hat
blown. you've arranged your mar
rage" he said at length. 'Now pull
4 it,"
MY Cousins ready to marry me
and she's goin to do it tonight CRIED
Gale violently.
Duke, towering with rage. looked
at De Spain and pointed to the hal
door. you hear that. Get out o
my house," he cried, launching ,
vicious epithet with the words.
'This isn't your house." retorted D,
Spain angrily. This house is Mans
not yours, When she orders me, out
I'll CO. Bring her down. he thun
dered, raising his voice to shut of
Duke, who had redoubled his abuse
, "Bring her into this room.' he re
, peated well see whether she want
to get married. II she does, I'll MARI
. her. II she doesn't, and you've bee
, putting this mp to force her in , marry
; ing, SO help me God, you'll be carrle
out of this room tonight, or | will.
He whirlel on her uncle with an accus
, lng finger. "You used to be mar
: Duke. I've taken from you here &c
I. night what would take from no ma
on earth but for the sake of Nan MOI
gan. She asked me never to touch yol
But II you've gone into this thing t
trap your own flesh and blood, \you
dead brothers girl, living under you
own protection. YOU don't deserv
mercy. and tonight you shall nay
what's coming to you. I've fought 70
both fair too fair. Now--before
leave---it's my girl or both of YOU"
He was standing near Druel. Will
out taking his eyes of the other mai
ne caught Druel with his left hand b
: the c0at collar, and threw him hal
way across the room. "Get upstnr
you old cnrrlon. and tell Nan Morga
Henry de Spain is here to talk to her
--~.