The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1917-06-14
G NAN Of 9
MUSIC MOUNTAIN
By frank II. Spedrman
Author cf Whispering Smith
Author Ct Whispering Smith

vicious epithet with the words
This isn't your house retorted De
Spain anzrily. This house Is Mans
not yours. When she orders me out.
I'll 20. Bring her down" he thun-
dered. raising his voice 10 shut on
Duke. who had reioubled his abuse.
-Brins her into this room be re-
peated. ~We1l see whether she wants
10 get married. II she does. III marry
her. II she doesn't. and you've been
putting this Up TO force her into marry
ing. 50 help me God. youu be carried
out OF this room tonight. or / will."
He whlrled on her uncle with an accJs-
ing finger. "YOu used TO be a man.
Duke. I've taken from you here to-
night what / would take from no man
on earth but for the sake Of Nan Nor
gan. She asked me never to touch you.
But II you've gone into this thing 10
trap your own aesh and blood, your
dead brothers girl. living under your
own protection. you dat deserve
mercy. and tonight yea shall have
what's coming 70 you. I've fought you
both fair, too fair. NoS-before /
leave-it's my girl or both Of you
He was standing near Druel. With
out taking his eyes of the other man.
he caught Druel with his left hand by
the coat collar. and threw him half
way across the room. ''Get upstairs.
you old carrion. and ten Nan Morgan
Henry de Spain Is here to talk TO her"
Druel. frightened 10 death. scrambled
into the hall. He turned on De Spain.
I'm an officer OF the law. / arrest
you for trespass and assault" he
shouted. shaking with fear.
ARREST meT echoed De Spain con
temptuously. "YOu scoundrel, II you
don't climb those stairs. III send you
to the penitentiary the day I get back
TO town. Upstairs with your message -
at isn't necessary" said a low voice
In the hall. and with the words Nan
appeared in the open doorway. Her
face was white, but there was no sign
Of haste or panic in IL; De Spain
chokcd back breath to him she had
never looked In her silence so awe
inspiring.
He addressed her. holding his left
hand out with his plea. Man." he
said. controlling his voice. "theSe men
were getting ready TO marry you 10
Gale Morgan. No matter how you feel
toward me. you know me well enough
10 know hat all want Is the truth
Was this with your cousentT'
She stepped into the line OF ere be
tween her cousin and De Spain as she
answered: "No. You know / shall
never marry any man but you. This
vile bully"-she turned little TO look
NJ her angry cOusin--has Influenced
/ Uncle Duke-whO never before tried
| TO prosecute or betray me-lnto joining
him In this thing. They never could
have dragged me into II alive. And
they've kept me locked up FOR three
days In a room upstairs, hoplug TO
break me down
"Stand back. Nan"
II De Spain's words OF warning
struck her with terror Of a situation
I she could not control, she did not re-
veal IT, "So," she said resolutely. IF
anybody here is 10 be shot, I'll be first.
Uucle Duke. you have always protect
ed me from Gale Morgan; now you Join
hands with him. You drive me from
I this roof because don't know how /
can protect myself under H."
Gale looked steadily at her. "You
promised TO marry me-" he muttered
truculently. 'Tn find a way to make
I you keep your word"
A loud knocking interrupted him.
and, without waiting TO be admitted,
Pardaloe, the cowboy. opened the front
door and stalked boldly in from the
hall.
II the situation in the room surprised
him, he gave no evidence Of II. And
as he walked in Nan disappeared. Par
daloe was drenched with rain. and, TAX.
Ing OF his hat as he crossed the room
to the fire, he shook 1t hard into the
blazing wood.
What do you want, PardaloeT
snapped Duke. 90,
Pardaloe shook his hat once more
and turned few steps so that he stood
between the uncurtained window and
the light. THE creeks up." he said
TO Duke in his peculiarly slow. stcndy
tone. "Some OF Salts boys are tryine
to get the cattle ont OF the lower cor
raj" He fingered his hat, looked first
az Duke, then al Gale, then at d,
Spain. Guess they'll need a It'll,
help. so ] asked Sassoon to com,
over" Pardaloe jerked his head In
dicatyely toward the front. 'He's out
side with some OF the boys now"
Tell Sassoon to come In here !!
Numbered Gale.
De SPANS left arm shot out. .HolS
on, Pardaloe; pull down that curtali
behind you -
'Don't touch thet curtaln, Parda
loe :" shouted Gale Morgan.
'Parialoe," said De Spain. his lef
arm pointing menaclngiy and walkinI
instantly toward him. apull that chr