Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1917-04-19
CHAPTER xv-continued.


10
BFf Tong before Bull Page reached
Caiabasas that day De Spain had act
cd When he left Bull Mt the bridge
he started for Calabasas, took supper
there, ordered saddle horse for one
O'Clock in the morning, went to his
rsor1, slept soundly, and, shortly after
be vas called, started for Music noun
tSfu- lie 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
sround the house TO the east side. The
sky WIS cloudy and the darkness al
unnsf complete. He made his way as
cinse as ne could to Mans window, and
raised the soft, grooming note of the
dessert owl.
After a while he was able to distin-
guish Che outline of her easement, and
with much patience and some little
sIiH remaining from the boyhood days,
ne kept up the faint call. Down at the
mig barn the chained watchdog tore
hinEseaf with fury of barking at the
INTRUDER, but mountain lions were COM
Eung EB the gap, and the noisy sentinel
Cafued no credit for his alarm. In
deed, when the dog slackened his
1sefeeneSs, De Spain threw a stone over
Rais way to encourage a fresh Outburst.
Bot seither the guardian nor the in
0rUEeC was able to arouse anyone
sQvtEiIla the house.
UHdeterred by his failure, De Spain
neEd bis ground as long as he dared.
Whea d0ybreak threatened he with
drew The following night he was in
the aslp earlier and with renewed de-
Termination. He tossed pebble into
Mans open window and renewed his
soft call. Soon light flickered for an
Enstan& within the room and died out.
In tine darkness following this, De
Spain Thought he discerned q figure
autfinsd at the easement. Some min
Utes Eator n door opened and closed
He repeated the cry of the owl, and
could hear foOtstep; the next mo-
wseut he whispered her name as she
iEeoa& before him.
whist is 1t you want?" she asked,
no calmly that 1t upset him. "Why do
%ou o1ane hereT
Where he stood he was afraid of the
sound OF her voice, and afraid of his
OWE ITO see you" he said, collecting
himscIf- "Come over to the pine tree"
UU'der its heavy branches, where the
darkness was most intense, he told her
why re had cOme-because he could
NOT sse her anywhere outside.
There is nothing to see me about"
she responded, still calm. 81 helped
roc because you were wounded.
WIS glad to see you get away without
GGhfisg-I hate blOodshed."
Hat put yourself in my place a
little, won't you? After what you did
Tor me. isn't It natural 1 should want
ca be sure you are well and not in any
Eroaf1te on my accountf"
III may be natural, but 1t isn't nee.
ess2rT- l am In no trouble. No one
here SHOWS even know you"
Excuse me for coming, then.
cOahsn't rest, Nan, without knowing
S0ESeahing. / was here last night"
81 know you were"
Hc started. "You made no sign"
WHY should 1? l suspected 1t was
300 %hen you came again tonight ]
aHAs'N I should have to speak to you
at teasG, 20 ask you not to come again
~HGf sou will be in and out of town
GnmefiHles, won't you, Nan?"
II am, it will not be to talk witt
4uu~
The words were spoken deliberately
Kle Spain was silent for a moment
MOT even to speak to mel" he asked
you must know the position 1 an
S1s" she answered. "And what a 20
Gikiou sou place me in # am seen t.
speak to you. This is my home. Yol
ere the enemy Of my people"
&Gt because / want to be-"
~A2d you can't expect them not t
resent any acquaintance on my par
with you"
He paused before continuing. cd,
YOn count Gale Morgan as one of you
DesEgeE' he asked evenly.
Il suppose / must"
Don't you think you ought to coun
ell Of your frjsnds, your well-wIshers
fhOse who would defend you with thei
eRSez. among your peOple2" She mad
an answer. Aren't they the kind o
WsoEAe." he persisted. you need whel
y9u are en- trouble7"
>'Xou needn't remind me should b
@s4nFeai to you"
s-NaaY" ne exclaimed.
~Ee< am," she continued, unmoved
%muH--S
~R'S a shame to accuse me in tina
NNy"
"SS- wals thinking when you sDOk