The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1918-06-06

that this time, at least, | didn't start
it,"
He put her objections aside, enjoy,
ing being SO near her and happy that
she made 10 retreat. My reputa.
ton" he insisted, has suffered a little
in Morgan's gap. / mean that at least
one who makes her home under Music
mountain shall know differently Of me.
What's that?' He heard u sound.
Listen"
The two. looking at each other,
trained their ears to hear more
through the rush Of the falling water,
Someone is coming" said De Spain
Nan ran lightly to where she could
peep over the ledge. Hardly pausins
as she glanced down, she stepped
quickly back. III 60 right ON up the
mountain to the azalea fields" she said
hastily.
He nodded. "TIl hide. Stop. If
you are questioned, you don't know
I'm here. You must say so for your
own sake, not for mine"
She was gone before he had finished.
De Spain drew quickly back to 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 w voices began TO reach him. He
.,av,1I J;.ti,;,l N-,.,, -. .- -
intervals the heavier tones of Il man.
The two were descending. In a few
moments they reached the ledge, and
De Spain, near ut hand, could hear
every word.
"Hold on a minute" said the man
roughly. His voice was heavy aud his
utterance harsh.
81 must go home" objected Nan.
"Hold on, / tell YOU" returned her
companion. De Spain could not see,
but he began already to feel the scene.
Il want to talk to you"
"We 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 Morganv' There was a blaze
In Mans sharp exclamation. "What
do you mean?"
81 mean you and are going to have
this out right here, before we leave
this ledge"
"How dare you stop me"
"Ill show you what l dare, young
lady. You'll talk things over with me
right here, and as long as l like" he re-
torted savagely. Every time l ask you
to marry me you've got some new
"It's 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 hui
initiation from his w 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
reprieve.
"When you came back from school
l told Duke l was going to marry you.
He said, all right" persisted her cous-
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
a downright f%alsehood."
you said you didn't care for any.
body else," he fairly beloved. snow
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. "Tll never
marry YOU. Let me go home"
You'll go home when l get through
with you. You've fooled me .ong
enough"
Her blood froze at the look in his
face. slow dare you!" she gasped.
Get out of my way!"
"You little vixen" 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-stified cries and his granting
laugh, Morgan heard a sharp voice:
Take you hands off that girl !"
Whirling, with Nan in his savage
arms, the half-drunken mountaineer
saw De Spain ten feet away, his right
hand resting on the grip of his re.
voiver. Stunned, but sobered by NOR.
tai danger. Morgan's grasp relaxed.
Nan, Jerking away, looked at De Spain
ana instantly stepped In front Of her
cousin on whom De Spain seemed
about to draw.
what are you doing here?" demand.
morgan with an enraged oath.
Il left some business with you the
day at Calabasas half finished"
SAID De Spain. "Im here this after.
loon to clean 1t up. Get away from
that girl !"
Ills manner frightened even Nan.
Inc quick step to the side and back
poising himself like a fencer-his re-
volver restrained a moment In its
sheath by an on ror rach+ ~,r a.