The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-04-14
CHAPTER xVllI-continued.

IL
She whiried. Il won't put it down.
This hulking bully l know him bet
ter than you do" She pointed a Quiv-
ering finger at her cousin. HE insult
ed me as vllely as he could only few
months ago on Music mountain. And
If this very same Henry de Spain
hadn't happened to be there to protect
me, you would have found me dead
next morning by my own hand. Do
you understand" she cried, painting
and furious. That's what he isl"
Her uncle tried to break in. "Stop!'
she exclaimed pointing at Gale. He
never told you that, did he?"
mo, nor you neither" snapped Duke
hoarsely.
81 didn't tell you" retorted Nan, be
cause I've been trying to live with you
here in peace among these thieves
and cutthroats, and not keep you
stirred up all the time. And Henry
de Spain faced this big coward and
protected me from him with an empty
revolver! What business of yours is
II whom l meet, or where l go?' she
demanded, raining her words with
flaming eyes on her belligerent cousin.
II will never marry you to save you
from the hangman. Now leave this
house." She stamped her foot. Leave
this house, and never come Into it
again."
Gale, beside himself with rage, stood
his ground. He poured all that he
safely could of abuse on Mans own
head. She had appeased her wrath
and made no attempt to retort, only
looking at him with white face and
burning eyes as she breathed defiance.
Duke interfered. sect out!" he said
to Gale harshly. "In talk to her. &c
homer
Not ceaslng to mutter oaths, Gale
picked up his hat and stamped out OF
the house, slamming the doors. Duke
exhausted by the quarrel, sat down
eying his niece. "Now what does this
mean?" he demanded hoarsely.
She tried to tell him honestly an(
frankly all that her acquaintance will
DE Spain did mean-dwelling no NOR
than was necessary on it's beginning
but concealing nothing of it's develop
ment and consequences. nothing Of he
love for De Spain, nor of his for her
But no part of what she could say OF
any point she urged softened he
uncle's face. His square, hard jaw
from beginning to end looked lik'
stone.
$50 he's your lover?" he said harsh
~ when she had done.
"He wants to be your friend" re
turned Nan, determined not to give up
Duke looked at her uncompromising
IL. THAT man can't ever be an!
friend of m.ine-underStand that! Fl;
can't ever marry you. If he ever tries
70, so help me God, III kill him If
hang for it. know his game.
know what he wants. He doesn't care
Il pinch of snuff for you He thinks he
can hit me a blow by getting you away
from me"
Nothing could be further from tbs
truth" exclaimed Nan hopelessly.
Duke struck the table smashing
blow with his fist. 'Tn show Mr.. dc
Spain and bis friends where they gel
off"
"Uncle Duke, if you won't listen tC
reason, you must listen to sense. Think
Of what position you put ME in. ]
love you for all your care Of me.
love him for his affection for me anC
consideration of me - because he
knows how to treat woman. / know
he wouldn't harm a hair on your head
for my sake, yet you talk now Of
bloodshed between you two. know
what your words mean-that one Of
you, or both of you, are to be killed
for senseless feud. He will not stan(
up and let any man shoot him dowE
without resistance. If you lay YOU
blood on his head, you know it woul(
DuL d SLulH uClNCCIl MIN anu ALlC lllu
never could be washed out as long a.
we lived. If you kill him could nevel
stay here with you. His blood would
cry out every day and night agains
you"
Dukes violent finger shot out at her
"And you're the gal / took from YOU
NANNY and promised I'd bring up {
decent woman. You've got none O. hel
blood in you-not drop. You're thu
brat Of that mincing brotne. Of mine
that was always riding horseback ant
showing off In town while / was weed
tRg the tobacco beds"
Nan ciasped her hands. "Don
blame me because I'm your brothers
cilild Blame me because I'm WON
an, because have a heart, because
! want to live and see you live, anG
70 see suspicion, distrust, feuds
atarRIs, and worse. I'm not migrate
f,a. as you plainly say ! am. want
yaa * &c. out Of what you are tn