The Mena weekly star., 1917-05-17
CHAPTER XIX. lConcluded

CHAPTER Alh. Concluded
 The man that chanced at that mo- ment to be lying in the nearest chair slid quietly but imperiously out from under the razor and started with the barbers for the rear door, wiping the father from one unshaven side of his face with a neck towel as he took his nasty way. At the back of the shop a fat man, sitting in a chair on the high, shoe-shining platform, while "a negro boy polished him, rose at Mor- gan's imprecation and tried to step over the bootblack's head to the floor below. The boy, trying to get out of the way, jumped back, and the fat man fell, or pretended to fall, over him-for 1t might be seen that the man, despite lYis size, had lighted like a cat on his feet and was instantly halfway up to the front of the shop, exclaiming profane- iy but collectively at the lads awk- wardness, before De Spain had had time to reply to the insult.
 The noise and confusion of the incl. dent were considerable. Morgan was too old fighter to look behind him at a critical moment. No man could say he had meant to draw when he stamped the card underfoot, but De Spain read it in his eye and knew that Lefever's sudden diversion at the rear had made him hesitate; the crisis passed like a flash. Sorry you feel that way, Duke" returned De Spain, undisturbed. Tt is a courtesy we were glad to extend And l want to speak to you about Nan, too"
 Morgan's face was livid. "What about her7"
 "She has given me permission to ask your consent to our marriage" said De Spain, "some time in the reason able future"
 It was difficult for Duke to speak at all, he was so infuriated. You can get my consent in just one way" he managed to say, that's by getting me-"
 "Then Pm afraid I'll never get it, for I'll never get you, Duke"
 A torrent of oaths fell from Nor gan's cracked lips. He tried to tell De Spain in his fury that he knew all about his underhand work. he called him more than one hard name, made no secret of his deadly enmity, and challenged him to end their differ- ences then and there.
 De Spain did not move. His left hand again lay on the cigar case. Duke" he said, when his antagonist had exhausted his vituperation, q wouldn't fight you, anyway. You're crazy angry at me for no reason on earth. If you'll give me just one good reason for feeling the way you do to- ward me, and the way you've always acted toward me since 1 came up to this country I'll fight you"
 ',Pull your gun" cried Morgan with an imprecatlon.
 q won't do it. You call me a cow ard Ask these boys here in the shop whether they agree with you on that. You might as well call me an isosceles triangle. You're just crazy sore at me when 1 want to be friends with you. Instead of pulling my gun, Duke, TIT lay 1t out on the case, here, to show you that all ask of you is to talk req son" De Spain, reaching with his left hand under the lapel of his coat, took q Colts revolver from it's breast har- ness and laid 1t, the muzzle toward hlmself, on the plate-glass top of the cigar stand. It reduced him to the ne- cessity of spring into Morgan for the smallest chance for his life if Morgan should draw; but De Spain was a des- at twenty-eight, and he laid his wagers on what he could read in an- others eye.
 There's more reasons than one why l shouldn't fight you" he said evenly. Duke, you're old enough to be my fa- ther-do you realize that? Whats the good of our shooting each other up2' he asked, ignoring Morgan's furious in- terruptions. "Who's to look after Nan when you go-as you must, before very many years? Have you ever asked yourself that? Do you want to leave her to that pack of wolves in the gap7 You know, just as well as do, the gap IS no place for a high-bred, fine grained girl like Nan Morgan. But the gap is your home, and you've done right to keep her under your roof and under your eye. Do you think I'd like 10 pull trigger on man that's been father to Nan7 Damnation, Duke, could you expect me to do 1t, willing ayF Nan is queen. The best in the world isn't good enough for her-rm not good enough, know that. She's dear to you, she is dear to me. If you really want to see me try to use a gun, send me man that will insult or abuse her. If you want to use your own gun, use 1t on me if I ever insult or abuse her-is that fair"
 Damn your fine words" exclaimed Morgan slowly and implacably. "They uon't pull any wool over my eyes. Know you, De Spain--I know your breed"
 Whats that?"
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