The Lamar register., 1917-06-27


step by step, was food for thought
Nor did De Spain break his obstinate
silence until their burst of rage had
blown. You've arranged your mar
rage" he said at length. Nov pull
It,"
MY cousins ready to marry me,
and she's goiu' to do it tonight" cried
Gale violently.
Duke, towering with rage. looked
at De Spain and pointed to the hall
door. "luu hear that Get out of
my house" he cried launching
vicious epithet with the words.
This isn't your house" retorted De
Spain angrily. This house is Mans
not yours. When she orders me out
I'll 20. Bring her down" he thun
dared, raising his voice TO shut of
Duke. who had redoubled his abuse
Bring her into this room" he re-
peutcd. Wen see whether she wants
TO get married. If she does, I'll marry
her. II she doesn't, and you've been
putting this up to force her into marry
ing, so help me God, you'H be carried
out of this room tonight, or l win"
lie whirled ON her uncle with an accus-
ing finger. "You used 10 be man.
Duke. I've taken from you here to-
night " hat / would take from no man
ou earth but for the sake Of Nan Nor
guu. She asked me never to touch you
But II you've gone into this thing 10
trap your own flesh and blood. your
dead brothers girl, living under your
own protection. you don't deserve
mercy, and tonight you shall have
what's coming to you. I've fought you
both fair, too fair. Now-before ]
leave-it's my girl or both Of you"
He wus standing near Druel. With
out taking his eyes Off 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 tell Nan Morgan
Henry de Spain is here to talk to her"
Druel. frightened TO 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, sinking with fear.
ARREST meT" echoed De Spain con-
temptuously. "You scoundrel. II you
don't climb those stairs, I'll send you
to the penitentiary the day | get back
to town. Upstairs with your message 20
at isn't necessary" said 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 it; De Spain
choked back n breath; to him she had
In.
inspiring.
He addressed her, holding his left
hand out with his plea. "Nan," he
said, controlling his voice, these men
were getting ready TO marry you TO
Gale Morgan. No matter how you feel
toward me, you know me wen enough
TO know that all | want is the truth
Was this with your consentTn
She stepped into the line Of fire 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 a little to look
at her angry cousin-''has Influenced
Uncle Duke-who never before tried
to prosecute or betray me-intO joining
him in this thing. They never could
have dragged me into 1t alive And
they've kept me locked up for three |
days in a room upstairs, hoping to
break me down"
"Stnnd back, Nan"
If De Spain's words Of warning
struck her with terror of situation !
she could not control, she did not re- /
veal IT. "No." she said rssolutely. IF /
anybody here is to be shot, I'll he frs. I
Uncle Duke. you have always protect .
ed me from Gale Morgan; now you join /
hands with him. You drive me from |
this roof because 1 don't know how ! /.
cam protect myself under it,"
Gale looked steadily at her. You .
promised to marry me-" he muttered .
truculently. "TlI find a way to make
you keep your word
A loud knocking interrupted him,
and, without waiting to be admitted.
Purdaloe, the cowboy, opened the front
door and staIked boldly in from The
hall.
If the situation in the room surprised
him, he gave no evidence Of it. AID
as he walked in Nan disappeared. Par
daloe was drenched with rain, and, tax
ing OFF his hat as he crossed the room
to the fire, he shook 1t hard into the
blazing wood.