Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1917-06-28

gether. Under the circumstances eli.
Their of the Morgans alone would have
whipped a gun on De Spain ut sight
Together, and knowing that TO do 81
meant death to the one that took the
first shot from the archway. each wait.
ed for the other; that fraction of a
second unsettled their purpose. In
stead of bullets, each launched curses
at the intruder, and every second that
passed led away from fight.
De Spain took their oaths, demands
and abuse without batting an eye
Pm here for the second witness"
was all he repeated. covering both
men with short glances. Druel, his
face muddy white as the whisky
bloat deserted it, shrunk inside his
shabby clothes. De Spain with each
epithet hurled at him took a dreaded
step toward Gale. and Druel, in the
line of fire. brought his knees up and
his head down till he curled like Il
porcupine.
Gale, game as he undoubtedly was.
cornered. felt perhaps recollections of
Calabasas and close quarters with the
brown eyes and the burning face.
What they might mean In this little
room, which De Spain was crossing
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
riage," he said at length. Now pull
it,"
MY cousins ready TO marry me,
and she's goin' TO do it tonight" cried
Gale violently.
Duke, towering with rage, looked
at De Spain and pointed to the hall
door. you 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 go. Bring her down." he thun-
dered, raising his voice to shut off
Duke, who had redoubled his abuse.
Bring her into this ROOM" he re
peated. Wen see whether she wants
~ SCI litN. IL Sllt uOtS, L IL Thrifty
her. If she doesn't, and you've been
putting this up to force her into marry
ing, so help me God. you'll be carried
out of this room tonight, or 1 will
He whirled on her uncle with an accus
ing finger. You used TO be a man
Duke. I've taken from you here to-
night what l would take from no man
mil b,tt tbo 8 H..
gan. She asked me never to touch you
But if you've gone into this thing L.
trap your own flesh and blood, YOU
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
leaye-it's my girl or both of you"
He was 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, shaking with fear.
ARREST met" echoed De Spain con-
temptuously. You scoundrel. If you
don't climb those stairs, I'll send you
to the penitentiary the day get back
to town. Upstairs with your message %
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 breath; to him she had
never looked In her silence 50 awe
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 consentf"
She stepped into ire 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 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 KEEP: me locked up for three
days in a room upstairs, hoping to
break me down."
"Stand back, Nan"
If De SPANS words Of warning
struck her with terror OF a situation
she could not control, she did not re-
veal 1t. mo" she said resolutely. "If
anybody here Is to be shot, I'll be first.
Uncle Duke, you have always protect
ed me from Gale Morgan now you joln
hands with him. You drive me from
this roof because l don't know how |
can protect myself under It,"
Gale looked steadily at her. You
promised to marry me-" he muttered
truculently. "I'll find way to make