The Jasper news. [volume] (Jasper, Missouri) 1898-1924, 1917-04-05
CHAPTER xV-Continued.
Copyright by Charles scrlbners sons)

But long before Bull Page reached
Calabasas that day De Spain had act
ed. When he left Bull at the bridge
he started for Ca!abasas, took supper
there, ordered saddle horse for one
O'Clock in the morning, went to his
room, slept soundly, and, shortly after
he was called, started for Music noun
tain. He walked his horse into the gap
and rode straight for Duke Morgan's
fortress. Leaving the horse under n
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 while he was able to distin-
guish the outline of 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 stone over
his way to encourage fresh outburst.
But neither the guardian nor the in
truder was able to arouse anyone
within the house.
Undeterrcd by his failure, De Spain
held his ground as long as he dared.
When daybreak threatened, ne with
drew. The following night he was in
the gap earlier and with renewed de-
termination. He tossed pebble into
Mans open window and removed his
soft call. Soon light tlickered for an
instant within the room and died out
In the darkness following this. De
Spain thought he discerned figure
outlined at the easement. Some min
utes later door opened and closed.
He repeated the cry of the owl, and
could hear n foOtstep; the next mo-
ment he whispered her name as she
stood before him.
"What is it you want?" she asked
so calmly that it upset him. "Why do
you come here"
Where he stood he was afraid of the
sound of her voice, and afraid of his
own. "To see you," he said, collecting
himself. Come over to the pine tree"
Under its heavy branches, where the
darkness was most intense, he told her
why he had come-because he could
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 without
tighting-I hate bloodshed."
But put yourself in my place q
little, won't you? After what you did
for me, isn't it natural l should want
to be sure you are well and not in any
trouble on my account?"
at may be natural, but 1t isn't nee.
essary. l am in no trouble. No one
here knows l even know you"
Excuse me for coming, then.
couldn't rest, Nan, without knowing
something. l was here last night"
81 know you were."
He started. you made no sign."
"Why should l? / suspected it was
you. When you came again tonight
knew l should have to speak to you
at least, to ask you not to come again.
But you will be in and out of towr
sometimes, won't you, Nan?"
IF l am, it will not be to talk witt
you."
The words were spoken deliberately
De Spain was silent for moment
Not even to speak to me?" he asked
"You must know the position l an
in," she answered. "And what a po
sition you place me in If am seen tc
speak to you. This is my home. Yor
are the enemy of my people"
mot because l want to be-"
And you can't expect them not t.
resent any acquaintance on my par
with YOU"
He paused before continuing. "DC
you count Gale Morgan as one of you
people?" he asked evenly.
~ 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 people?" She mad
no answer. Aren't they the kind o
people," he persisted, 'you need whel
you are in trouble?"
"You needn't remind me / should b.
grateful to you-"
"Nang he exclaimed.