Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1917-06-01
CHAPTER xVlll-Continued.

She whirled. Il won't put it down.
This hulking bully! l know him bet
Ter than you do" She pointed quiv-
ering finger at her cousin. HE insult
ed me as Wiley 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
xne, 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 hep"
"No, 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
1T whom l meet, or where l go?" she
demanded, raining her words with
flaming eyes on her belligerent cousin.
81 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. Get out" he said
20 Gale harshly. "I'll talk to her. Go
homer
Not ceasing 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. Nov what does this
mean?" he demanded hoarsely.
She tried to tell him honestly and
frankly all that her acquaintance with
DE Spain did mean-dwelling no more
than was necessary on its beginning,
out concealing nothing of its develop
ment and consequences, nothing Of her
love for De Spain, nor of his for her.
But no part of what she could say on
any point she urged softened her
uncle's face. His square, hard jaw
fn nd Iyl
stone.
$50 he's your lover?" he said harsh.
4y when she had done.
''He wants to be your friend" re-
turned Nan, determined not to give up
Duke looked at her uncOmprOmising.
ey. THAT man can't ever be any
friend of mine-understand that He
can't ever marry you. If he ever tries
hang for it. l know his game.
know what he wants. He doesn't care
pinch of snuff for you He thinks he
can hit me blow by getting you away
from me-"
Nothing could be further from the
truth" exclaimed Nan hopelessly.
Duke struck the table smashing
blow with his fist. "Pll show Mr.. dc
Spain and his friends where they gel
off"
Uncle Duke, If you won't listen tC
reason, you must listen to sense. Think
of what a position you put me in.
love you for all your care of me.
love him for his affection for me an(
consideration Of me because he
knows how to treat woman. l know
ne wouldn't harm hair on your head
for my sake, yet you talk now OF
blOodshed between you two. l know
what your words mean-that one OF
you, or both Of you, are to be killed
for a senseless feud. He will not stanC
up and let any man shoot him dowr
without resistance. If you lay you
blood on his head, you know it would
out q stain between him and me tina
never could be washed out as long al
we lived. If you kill him l could never
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 brother of mine
that was always riding horseback anc
showing off in town while l was weed
eng the tobacco beds"
Nan clasped her hands. Don
blame me because I'm your brothers
child. Blame me because I'm won
an, because / have a heart, because
want to live and see you live, ant
to see suspicion, distrust, feuds
alarms and worse. I'm not migrate
full, as you plainly say I am. I wan
you to get out Of what you are II