Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1917-06-28

lie Spaln Orew quickly Dock 10 WHERE
he could secrete himself. In another
mOment he heard heavy footsteps
where he had stood with his visitor.
But the footsteps crossed the ledge.
and their sound died AWAY up the
path Nan had taken. Then snatches
Of two voices began to reach him. He
could distinguish Mans voice and at
intervals the heavier tones Of a man.
The two were descending. In a few
moments they reached the ledge, and
De Spain. near at hand. could hear
every word.
"Hold on a minute" said the man
roughly. His voice was heavy and hia
utterance harsh.
II must so home." objected Nan.
Hold on, l tell you," returned her
companion. De. Spain could not see.
but he began already to feel the scene.
Il want TO talk to YOU"
I'VE can talk going down." parted
Nan.
De Spain heard her hurried foot
falls. mo, you don't" retorted her
companion, evidently cutting off her
retreat. =
Gale Morgan!" There was a blaze
in Mans sharp exclamation. "What
do you meant"
Il mean you and l are going to have
this out right here, before we leave
this ledge"
How dare you stop mew
"Tll show you what l dare, young
lady. You'll talk things over with me
right here, and as long as / like" he re-
torted savagely. "Every time l ask you
to marry me you've got some new
excuse"
tits shameful for you to act in this
way, Gale" She spoke low and rap
idly to her enraged sutton. De Spain
alone knew it was to keep her hu-
initiation fr9p his own ears, and he
made no effort to follow her quick,
pleading words. The moment was most
embarrassing for two of the three in
volved. But nothing that Nan could
say would win from her cousin any
reprleve.
"When you came back from school
I told Duke I al going to marry you.
He said, all right" persisted her
in stubbornly. You said you'd marry
me-"
Nan exploded: II never, never said
so In this world" Her voice shook
with Indignation. "You know that's
q downright falsehood."
"You said you didn't care for any
body else" he fairly beloved. "Now
l want to know whether you'll marry
me If l take you over to Sleepy Cat
tomorrow"
"No" Nan flung out her answer
reckless Of consequence. "Ill never
marry you. Let me 90 home"
you'll so home when l get through
with you. You've fooled ME long
enough"
Her blood froze ut the look In his
face. "How dare you" she gasped.
Get d OF my Way!'
"You little vixenI" He sprang for
ward and caught her by the wrist. She
fought like a tigress. He dragged her
struggling into his arms. But above
her half.stifled cries and his gruntlng
laugh, Morgan heard a sharp voice:
Take you hands of that girlw
Whirling, with Nan In his savage
arms. the half-drunken mountalneer
saw De Spain ten feet away, his right
hand resting on the grip Of his re-
volver. Stunned, but sobered by NOR
tai danger, Morgan's grasp relaxed.
Nan. jerking away, looked at De Spain
and instantly stepped In front Of her
cousin, on whom De Spain seemed
about to draw.
"What are you doing here7" demand
Morgan, with an enraged oath.
II left some business with you the
other day at Calabasas half finished"
said De Spain. I'm here this after
noon to cl"an 1t up. Get away from
that girl
His Aanner frightened. even Nan.
The quick step to the side and back
polishing himself like q fencer-his re-
volver restrained q moment In its
sheath by an eager right arm, as II
ut any instant It might leap into dead.
ly play. De SPANS angry face and
burning eyes photographed themselves
on her memory from that moment.
But whatever he meant, she had her
part to do. She backed, with arms
spread low at her sides, directly
against her cousin. "You shan't fight"
she cried ut De Spain.
"Stand away from that mani re-.
torted De Spain.
"You shan't KY my cousin. What
do You meant What are you doing
hercf Leave usI"
"Get away. Nan, I tell You. I'll
finish him." cried Morgan, puncturing
every word with an oath.
She whlrled and caught her cousin
In her arms. "EIc will shoot us both
II you Ore. Take me away, Gale.
You coward" she exclaimed, whlrling
again with trembling tones on Do
Spain. would you XIII d womanw
De Spain saw the danger was past.
Il needed hardly an instant to show
him that Morgan had lost stomach fos
. fght. he talked wrathfully. but hs
made no motion TO draw, Y ~ Tva
got to chase you into 4 6sht," said d
Spain contemptuously, and startina
gingeriy to circle the hesitating cousin,
Nan, In her excitement, ran Directs