Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-01-16
"Wc1l try to make 1t thirty-two after


! "Why, l really didn't say. sir. And
I don't know. But from what she says,
and the way she coughs, Tn thinking
II was touch Of this p-new-monia
that's going around so much lately,
sir"
/ His listener had already made all
arrangements to meet the occasion now
presenting itself. Circumstances
seemed at last to favor him, and he
looked at his watch. The down stage
bringing Nan back would be due In
less than IN hour.
: "Iim," he said thoughtfully, ''yOu
are doing the right thing in showing
some goodwill toward the Morgans."
I "Now, I'm glad you think that, sir"
/ "YOuj know | unintentiOnally rubbed
their backs the wrOrg way in dragging
SassOOn out"
They're jealous of their power,
Inow--very jealous"
This seems the Glance to show that
have no real amnesty myself toward
the outfit"
Since De Spain was not looking at
him, McAlpin cooked two keen and
curious eyes on the sphinxlike birth
mark of the very amiablc speakers
face. However, the astute boss. if he
wondered, made no comment. "Whcn
the stage comes H." continued De
/ Spain quietly, "havc the two grays-
Lady and Ben-hitched to my own
/ light wagon. I'll drive her over to the
CUP myself" ~
'"The very thing" exclaimed Meal
pin. staring and struggling with his
breath.
I'm some way I've happened. both
times / talked with her, to get in
4 wrong--understand McAlpin, with
clearing wits, nodded more than once.
mo fault of mine; it just happened
SO. And she may not at first take
kindly to the idea Of going with me-
II see."
"But she ought to do 1t. She will
be tircd-it's Il long, dusty ride for
well woman, let alone one that has
been ill.,"
I $50 It is, so 1t Isl"
De Spain looked now shamelessly at
his ready-witted aid. "See that her
pony is lame when she gets here
can't be ridden. But you'll take good
care of him and send him home in
few days---get it,"
McAlpin half closed his eyes. Hell
be so lame it would stagger cowboy
to back him ten foet--and never be
hurt mite, neither. Trust me !"
IF she insists on riding something,
or even walking home continued De
Spain obviously, for he felt instinc-
lively that he should have the task of
his life to induce Nan to accept any
kind of a pcace-offering, "I'll ride or
walk with her anyway. Can you sleep
me here tonight, on the hay?"
"Sleep you on hair mattress, sir.
You've got room right here upstairs:
didn't you know that?"
With arrangements so begun De
Spain walked out Of doors and looked
reilectively up the Sleepy Cat road.
\ One further refinement in his appeal
FOR Mans favor suggested itself. She
would be hungry, possibly faint in the
heat and dust, when she arrived He
returned to McAlpln: "Where can /
get good cup Of coffee when the
stage comes imp
go right down to the inn, sir. IT'S
) a new chap running tia half-wittcd
man from Texas. My wife is cooking
there off and on. She'll fix you up II
sandwich and Il cup of good coffee
1t was four O'Clock, >and the sun beat
fcrcely on the desert. De Spain walked
down to the inn unmindful of the heat.
In summer rig, with his soft-shirt col
. lar turned under, his forearms bare
, md his thoughts engaged, he made his
} way rapidly on, looking neither to the
, right nor the left.
: AS he approached the yScather-bcatcn
pile 1t looked no more inviting in sun
shine than 1t had looked in shadow !,
ouNs ~ uV w lAc tlNhAllbIlr, uOA Il hNtliE
being was anywhere to be seen. TIE
door of the Office stood ajar. De Spain.
pushing 1t all the way open walked in.
. No one greeted him ms he crossed the
: threshold, and the unsishtly room was
still bare Of furnishings except fol the
bar, with lis two broken mirrors.
De Spain pounded on the bar. His
: effort to attract attention met with no
! response. He walked to the left end
! Of tie bar, lifted the handrail that
: Enclosed the space behind it, and
pushed open the door between the mir
rors leading TO the back room. This,
too, was empty. He called out---there
was no response. Mrs. McAlrln had
apparently gone home for u while.
Irrtatcl at the dcscrton OF tho
v,Iunu Ita In n ri lno rn.d tr