The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1917-05-03


and their sound died away up the
path Nan had taken. Then snatches
of two voices began TO reach him. He
could distinguish Mans voice and at
| intervals the heavier tones Of a man.
The two were descending. In a few
moments they reached the ledge, and
De Spain, near at hand, could hear
every word.
Hold on a minute" said the man
roughly. His voice was heavy and his
utterance harsh.
81 must go home" objected Nan.
Hold on, 1 tell you," returned her
companion. De Spain could not see,
but he began already to feel the scene.
Il want to talk to you"
1--WE can talk going down." parried
Nan.
De Spain heard her hurried foot
falls. "No, you don't" retorted her
companion, evidently cutting off her
retreat.
"Gale Morgan" There was a blaze
in Mans sharp exclamation. What
do you mean?"
81 mean you and are going to have
this out right here, before we leave
this ledge"
How dare you stop mer'
"PH show you what 1 dare, young
1 lady. You'll talk things over with me
right here, and as long as l like" he re-
torted savagely. Every time ask you
to marry me you've got some new
excuse"
TITS shameful for you to act in this
way, Gale" She spoke low End rap
| idly to her enraged sutton. De Spain
alone knew it was to keep Aer hui
initiation from his own ears, and he
made no effort to follow her quick,
pleading words. The moment WIS most
embarrassing for two of the three in
/ volved. But nothing that Nan could
say would win from her cousin any
reprieve.
when you came back from rchool
I told Duke 1 was going a marry you.
He said, all right" persis' ed her eous-
in stubbornly. you sale you'd marry
me-"
Nan exploded: 81 nevcr, never gaid
so in this world" Her voice shook
with indignation. "You know the is
downright falsehood."
''You said you didn't care for any
body else" he fairly beloved. NOV
l want to know whether you'll marry
me if take you over to Sleepy Cat
tomorrow
mol" Nan flung out her answer
reckless of consequence. 'Tll never
marry you. Let me go home"
You'll go home when get through
with you. You've fooled me long
enough"
Her blood froze at the look in his
face. "How dare you!" she gasped.
Get out of my wayw
you little vixen!' He sprang for
ward and caught her by the wrist. She
fought like tigress. He dragged her
struggling into his arms. But above
her half-stifed cries and his grunting
laugh, Morgan heard a sharp voice:
Take you hands off that girl ~
Whirling, with Nan in his savage
arms, the half-drunken mOuntaineer
saw De Spain ten feet away, his right
hand resting on the grip of his re-
volver. Stunned, but sobered by NOR
tai danger, Morgan's grasp relaxed.
Nan, jerking away, looked at De Spain
and instantly stepped in front of her
cousin, on whom De Spain seemed
about TO draw.
What are you doing here| demand
Morgan, with an enraged oath.
81 left some business with you the
other day at Calabasas half finished"
said De Spain. I'm here this after
noon to clean it up. Get away from
that grill"
His manner frightened even Nan.
The quick step TO the side and back
posing himself like a fencer-his re-
volver restrained a moment in its
sheath by an eager right arm, as if
at any instant it might leap into dead
ly play. De SPANS angry face and
burning eyes photographed themselves
on her memory from that moment.
But whatever he meant, she had her
part to do. She backed, with arms
spread low at her sides, directly
against her cousin. you shan't fight"
she cried at De Spain.
STAND away from that manP re-
torted De Spain.
'You shan't kill my cousin. What !
do you mean7 What are you doing |
here? Leave US !"
"Get away, Nan, tell you. I'll |
finish him." cried Morgan, puncturing |
every word with an oath.
She whirled and caught her cousin |
in her arms. "He will shoot us both |
if you fire. Take me away, Gale. |
You cowardI' she exclaimed, whirling
again with trembling tones on De
Spain, would you kill woman7
De Spain saw the danger was past
1t needed hardly an instant to show
him that Morgan had lost stomach for
a fight. He talked wrathfuliy, but he
made no motion to draw. Il see I've
got to chase you into fight" said De
Spain CONTEMPORARY, and starting
to circle the hesitating cousin.
Nan, in her excitement, ran directly
toward the enemy, as If to cut off his
Don't you dare put me in danger"
she cried, facing De Spain threaten
ingIy. Don't you dare fight my
cousin here"
STAND away from me-" hammered
M Cnofn avinp Morpan steadily