Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1917-07-26

lot q man to talk much when ne 1au
anything Of moment to put through.
md he had left home determined. be-
lore he came back. to finish for good
his enemy.
De Spain himself had been putting
III for weeks every business that would
bear putting Of. and had been forced
1t length to- u down to Medicine
Bend to buy horses. Nan. after her
uncle left home-justly apprehensive
II his intentions-made frnntic efforts
to get word to De Spain Of what was
She could not telegraph
a publicity that she dreaded would
followed at once. De Spain had
expected to be back in two days. Such
a letter as she could have sent would
not reach him at Medicine Bend.
As 1t was, a distressing amount Of
talk did attend Dukes efforts to get
track of De Spain. Sleepy Cat had
but n Interpretation for his inQui-
a fight. If one occurred be-
tween these men, 1t was conceded,
would be historic In the annals Of the
town. Its anticipation was food for
all of the rumorS Of three days of sus-
pense. For the town they were three
days Of thrilling expectation; for Nan,
isolated, without a confidant, not
knowing what to do or which way to
they were the three bitterest
Of anxiety she had ever known.
Desperate with suspense at the close
Of the second day--wild for n scrap of
news, yet dreading one-she saddled
her pony and rode alone into Sleepy
Cat after nightfall to meet the train
which De Spain had told her he
would return from the east. She rode
straight to the hospital, instead OF
going to the livery barn, and leaving
her horse, got supper and walked by
way of unfrequented streets downtown
to the station to wait for the train.
When the big train drew slowly, al
most noiselessly. in, Nan took her
place where no incoming passenger
could escape her gaze and waited for
De Spain. But when all the arrivals
had been accounted for, he had not
come.
She turned, heavy-hearted, to walk
back uptown. trying to think Of whom
she might seek some information CON
corning De SPANS whereabouts, when
her eye fell on a nan standing not
ten feet away at the door of the bag
gage room. He was alone and seemed
to be watching the changing Of the
engines, but Nan thought she knew
him by sight. The rather long, straight,
black hair under the broad.brimmed
hat marked the man known and hated
In the gap as "the Indian" Here, she
said to herself, was Il chance. De
Spain, she recalled, spoke Of no one
oftener than this a He seemed
wholly disengaged.
REFRESHING her nervous timidlty,
Nan walked over to him. "Aren't you
Mr.. Scott:" she asked abruptly.
Scott, turning to her, touched his
hat as If quite unaware until that mo
ment Of her existence. did Mr.. de
Spain get off this trninT she asked, as
Scott acknowledged his Identity.
IT guess he didn't come tonight
Nam noticed the impassive manne Of
his speaking and the low, eve tones
II was kind Of looking for him my
self"
as there another train tonight h,
could come ont"
II don't think he will be back nov
before tomorrow night"
Nan. much disappointed, looked III
| the line and down. II rode In thi
afternoon from Music mountain espe
CHILLY to see him."
Scott, without commenting. smile
with understanding and encourage
ment, and Nan wqs 80 filed with anx
ETY. that she welcomed a chance t
talk to somebody. 1--WE often hear
him speak Of YOU" she venture,
searching the dark eyes, and watchln
the open kindly smile characteristic
Of the man. Scott put his right han
out at his side. 1--WE ridden wit
TINT boy since he was 20 high"
II know he thinks everything
YOU"
II think a lot Of him."
"You don't know meT she said tel
tatively.
Ills answer concealed oil that WI
necessary. mot to speak to. no."
" nm Nan Morgan"
II know your name pretty WE'LL" |
explained; nothing seemed to distul
his smile.
"And l came in--because ] was VIC
. ried over something and wanted
see Mr.. dc Spain"
"He Is buying horses north Of Me
: icine Bend. The rainstorm yesterd'
likely kept him back some. dor
NJ think you need worry much over an
I thing though"
Il don't mean l nm worrying abo
|. Mr.. de Spain Mt Medicine Bend" d
claimed Nun with u trace OF etnbu
rassment.
. II know what you menn." smll'
1 Bob Scott. She regarded him que
tioningly. He returned her gaze I
n%ssurlngly us II he was confident
his ground. "Dld your pony cor
along all right aftcr you left tho fot
hills this nftcrnoonT
Nan opened her eyes. "How did y
h know I came through tho foothillsi'
II wns over tlidt way today." Som
D thing IN the continuouy slnile enligt
1ined ~. more shan ~ word IN