The Lamar register., 1917-06-27
Nan 81
Music
Mountain
IOopIaGh. sy ChAxsaa seIibnars sonO
By
FRANK H. SPEARMAN
Author Of -wHIsPERINo SMITH

Oh TuSnlnB WhteT, ana niue openings
of rock and waterway that might have
offered a chance when dry were now
out of the question. In fact, II was
Mans belief that before morning wa
ter would be running over the main
trail itself.
Yet" said De Spain finally, "before
morning we must be IA long way from
Jhis particular spot, Nan. Sassoon
has posted men at the neck OF the
gap-that's the first thing he would do.
I'll tell you" he said suddenly, as
when after long uncertainty and anx-
ious doubt one chooses an alternative
and hastens to follow it. Retreat is
the thing for us, Nan. Let's make for
Music mountain and crawl into our
cave till morning. Lefever will get
in here some time tomorrow. Then
we can connect with him."
Realizing that no time was to be lost,
they set out on the long journey. Ev-
cry foot Of the troublesome way Of
fered difficulties Water impeded them
continually. Nan picked their trail.
But for her perfect familiarity with
every foot Of the ground, they could
not have got to the mountain at all.
When they got to the mountain trail
itself they found their way swept by a
mad rush Of falling water, its deafen-
ing roar punctured by fragments of
loosened rock which. swept downward
from ledge TO ledge, split and thun-
dered as they dashed themselves
against the mountainside. On a pro-
tected floor the two stood for a mo-
ment, listening to the roar Of the cata-
raet that had cut them OF their refuge.
NO use. Nan" said De Spain.
There isn't any other trail, is there7"
She told him there was no other.
"And this will run all night Henry"
she said, turning TO him and as II
thinking Of "A question she wanted to
ask, "how did you happen to come to
me tonight when l wanted you soT"
81 came because you sent for me-"
he answered, surprised.
But | didn't send for you"
He stopped, dumfounded. what
do you mean, NnnY" he demanded un-
easily. Il got your message on the
telephone last night, In my office at
Sleepy Cat, from a man that refused
to give his name"
81 never sent any message TO you"
she insisted in growing wonderment.
Il have been locked In IA room for
three days, dearle. The Lord knows
| wanted to send you word. Who ever
telephoned message like that? Was
it a trap to get you in hercT"
He told her the story-of the siren
uous efforts he had made 10 discover
the identity Of the messenger-and
how he had been baked. NO mat
ter" said Nan at last at couldn't
have been a trap. 1t must have been
a friend, surely, not an enemy.
Henry" every time she repeated
his name De Spain cared less for
what should happen IN the rest Of the
world, what are we going to do nOwi
We can't stay here all highland
take what they will greet us with in
the morning."
He answered her question with an
other: 'What about trying to get out
by III CapitanT'
She started in spite Of herself at
would be certain death, Henry"
81 don't mean at the worst to try
to cross it till we get a glimpse of
daylight But it's quite a way over
there. The question is. Can we find
a trail up to where we want to go?"
81 know two or three" she an
swered, IF they are only not flooded"
The storm seemed TO have passed,
but the darkness was intense, and
from above the northern Superstitlons
came low mutterlngs of thunder. Com
PEELED TO strike out over the rocks TO
get up to any Of the trails toward Ell
Captain, Nan, helped by De Spain
when he could help. led the ascent
toward the first ledge they could hope
to follow on their dangerous course
The point at which the two climbed
almost five hundred feet that night
up Music mountain is still pointed
out In the gap. No person, looking
at that confused wnll, willingly be-
lieSes 1t could ever have been scaled
in the dead of night. Torn, bruised
and exhausted. Nan, handed up by her
lover, threw herself ut last PROSTATE
on he ledge at the real beginning of
their trail, and from that vantage point
they made their way along the east
ern side of Music mountain for two
miles before they stopped again to