Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1917-08-02

went - heeakfAaL Ne Spain joaned
her before she had anished. and whee
they left the diniag room shs explaineA
why she had disappointed him the day
before. He heard the story With mis-
givings.
I'LL tell you how Il looks to me,
Man," he said when she had done.
You are like q person that's being
bound tighter every day BY invisible
cords. You doa't see them because you
are fearless. You are too fearless.
Man." he added. with apprehension ~
hected In the expression Of his face.
III tell Sou what l wish you'd do. and
l say 1t knowing you won't do It," he
concluded.
She made light Of his fears, twisting
his right hand till II was helpless In
her two hands and laughing ut him.
How do you know I won't do IT."
because I've asked you before. This
Is 1t: Marry me. now. here. today. and
don't take any more chances out there"
But. Henry" protested Nan. II can't
marry you now and Just run away from
poor Uncle Duke. II you will Just be
patient. I'll bring him around to our
side"
"Never. Nan"
Don't be 10 sure. I know him bet
ter than sou do. and when he comes
for anybody. he comes all ut once.
Why. it's funny Henry. Now that I'm
picking up courage, you're losing it
de shook his head. Il don't like
tn. way things are going"
"Dearie," she urged, should l be any
safer ut home il l were your wife, than
am as your sweetheart. l don't want
to start u horrible family war by run.
Ming away, and that Is just what I GER
tatnly should do"
DE Spain was unconvinced. But ap-
p%rehension is shOrt-lived in young
hearts. The sun shone, the sky spread
Il speckless blue over desert and noun
tain. the day went to their castles and
dreams. In n retired corner of the
cool dining room at the Mountain
house, they fingered together over n
long-drawn-out dinner. The better.in-
formed guests by asides indicated their
presence to others. They described
them as the hardy couple who had first
met In a stiff Frontier day rifle match,
which the girl had won. Her defeated
rlval--the man now most regarded and
feared In the mountain country--was
the man with the reticent mouth, mild
eyes, curious blrthmark, and with the
two little. perplexed wrinkles visible
most Of the time just between his dark
eyebrows, the man listening intently
to every syllable that fell from the lips
of the trinity bloused, active girl oppo-
site him, leaning forward in her eager.
ness to tell him things. Her jacket
hung over the back of her chair, and
she herself was referred to by the
more fanciful as queen of the outlaw
camp Mt Music mountain.
The two were seen together that day
about town by many, for the story of
their courtship was still yelled In mys-
terry and afforded ground for the
widest speculation. while that of their
difficulties, and such particulars as De
SPANS fruitlcss efforts to conclliate
Duke Morgan and Dukes open threats
against De Spain's life were widely
known. All these details made the
movement and the fate of the young
couple the object of keenly curious
comment.
In the late afternoon the two rode
almost the whole length OF Main street
together on their way to the river
bridge. Everyone knew the horsefesh
they bes%trode-none cleaner-limbed,
! harder or faster in the high country.
Those that watched them amble slow
ly past, laughing and talking, intent
only on each other, erect. poised and
motionless. as If nodded to their sad.
dies, often spoke of having seen Nan
and her lover that day. 1t wal q long
time before they were seen riding
down Main street together again.
| H --