The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1918-07-18

alarm and the renewed resolve never
to be taken off her guard. That night
he came back. He told her uncle,
glancing admiringly at Nan as he re-
counted the story, how she had stood
her ground against him in the morn.
ing.
Nor did Nan like the way her uncle
acted while he l~istened-and after
ward. He talked a good deal about
Gale and the way she was treating
her cousin. When Nan declared she
never would have anything to do with
him, her uncle told her with disconcert-
ing bluntness to get all that out of her
head, for she was going to marry him.
When she protested she never would
Duke told her, with many harsh oaths.
that she should never marry De Spain
even If he had to kill him or get killed
TO stop it, and that If she had any
her cousin peaceably, adding, that If
She didn't have sense, he would see
himself it was provided for her.
His threats left Nan aghast. For two
days she thought them all over Then
she dressed to go TO town. on her
way to the barn her uncle intercepted
her. "Where you going?'
"To Sleepy Cat" returned Nan, re
garding him collectedly.
$40, you're not" he announced
bluntly.
Nan looked at him in silence. 81
don't want you running to own any
more TO meet De Spain added Duke
without any attempt to soften his in.
junction.
But I've got to 20 to town once in
a while, whether l meet Henry dc
Spain or not, Uncle Duke"
what do you have to go for?"
"Why. for mail, supplies-every.
thing
"PardalOe a attend to oil that"
Nan shook her head. "Whether he
can or not, I'm not going to be cut of
from going to Sleepy Cat, Uncle Duke
nor from seeing Henry de Spain"
Meaning to say you won't obey
eh?'
when I'm going to marry a man II
isn't right to forbid me seeing him"
you're not going TO marry him
you're going to marry Gale, and the
quicker you make up your mind to 1t
the better"
"You might better tell me l am going
to marry Bull Page-I would marry
him first. | will never marry Gale
Morgan in the living world, and I've
told you so more than once"
He regarded his niece a moment
w~rathfully and, without replying,
walked back to the house. Nan, upset
asked Pardaloe to saddle her pony.
Pardaloe shuf1ed around in an obliging
way, but at the end of some evasion
admitted he had orders not to do 1t.
Nan famed at the information. She
disliked Pardaloe anyway, not for any
reason she could assign beyond the
fact that he had once been q chum of
Gales. But she was too high-spirited
to dispute with him, and returned to
the house pink with indignation. Go
Ing straight to her uncle, she protested
against such tyranny. Duke was in
sensible alike to her pleas and her
threats.
But next morning Nan was up at
three o'clock. She made her way into
the barn before a soul was stirring,
and at daybreak was well on her way
to Sleepy Cat. She telephoned to De
Snnin'S nfinn from, tho hncnital and
went to breakfast. De Spain joined
her before she had finished, and when
they left the dining room she explained
why she had disappointed him the day
before. He heard the story with mis-
givings.
"Tll tell you how 1t looks to me,
Man," he said when she had done.
You are like a person that's being
bound tighter every day by invisible
cords. You don't see them because you
are fearless. You are too fearless,
Man," he added, with apprehension re-
lected in the expression Of his face.
"Ill tell you what l wish you'd do, and
| say 1t knowing you won't do it," he
concluded.
She made light of his fears, twisting
his right hand till 1t was helpless in
her two hands and laughing at him.
How do you know I won't do it?"
Because I've asked you before. This
Is it: Marry me, now, here, today, and
don't take any more chances out there"
"But, Henry" protested Nan, II can't
marry you now and just run away from
poor Uncle Duke. If you will just he
patient, I'll bring him around to Our
side"
"Never. Man."
Don't be so sure. I know him bet
ter than you do. and when he comes
for anybody, he comes all at once.
Why, it's funny Henry. Now that I'm
picking up courage, you're losing IT."
He shook his head. II don't like
he way things are going"
"Dearie," she urged, SHOULD I be any
safer at home If l were your wife, than
| am as your sweetheart. / don't want
to start a horrible family wal by run