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Show THE GRANT8VILLE Main NEWS, GRANT8VILLE, UTAH. It would put me 'f either of you should kill the other. Henry, I've been thinking It all over for three days now. J see what must come. It will break both our hearts, 1 know, but they will be broken anyway. .There Is no way out, Henry none. Nan. whnt do you mean? You must give ice up. of Music Mountain They were sitting in the hospital at her side on the bench that he called their bench. It was here he had made bis unrebuked avowal hero, he had afterward told her, that he began to live. "Give you How up, he echoed with gentleness. could I do that? Youre like the morning for me. Nan. Without you theres no day; you're the kiss of the mountain wind and the light of the stars to me. Without the thought of you K sicken and faint in the saddle, Id lose my way In the hills; without yon there would be no tomorrow. No matter where I am, no matter how I feel. If I think of you strength wqjla .lnto my heart like a spring. I never could give you up. He told her all would be well because It must be well; that she must trust him; that he would bring ner safe through every danger and every storm. If she would only stick to him. And Nan, sobbing her fears one by one out on hla breast, put her arms around his neck and whispered that for life or death, she would stick. It was not hard for De Spain next morning to find Duke Morgan. The difficulty was to meet him without the whose appetite had mob of hangers-obeen whetted with the prospect of a death, and perhaps more than one, In the meeting of men whose supremacy with the gun had never been successfully disputed. It required all the diplomacy of Lefever to pull off a conference between the two which should not from the start be hopeless, because of a crowd of Dukes partisans whose presence would egg him on, In spite of everything, to a combat. But toward eleven oclock In the morning, De Spain having been concealed like a circus performer during every minute earlier. Duke Morgan was found, alone, In a barbers hands In the Mountain house. At the moment Duke left the revolving chair and walked to the cigar stand to pay his check, De Spain entered the shop through the rear door opening from the hotel office. Passing with on easy step the row of barbers lined up In waiting beside their chairs, De Spain walked straight down the open aisle, behind Morgan's back. While Duke bait over the cose to select a cigar, De Spain, passing, placed himself at the mountain-man'- s side and between him and the street sunshine. It was taking an advantage, De Spain was well aware, but under the circumstances he thought himself entitled to a good light on Dukes eye. De Spain wore an ordinary sack street suit, with no sign of a weapon about him ; but none of those who considered themselves favored spectators encounter felt any of a doubt as to his ability to put his hand on one at Incomparably short notice. There was, however, no trace of hostility or suspicion In De Spains greetgarden, he By FRANK H. SPEARMAN kWbM (OwridH by CM DE SPAIN LEARNS HOW MUCH NAN REALLY LOVES HIM AND DISCOVERS THAT HIS PLANS FOR PACIFYING OLD DUKE MORGAN WONT WORK OUT AT ALL ' , Henry de Spain, general manager of the stagecoach line running from Thief Hirer to Sleepy Cat, a ran road division town In the Rocky mountains, la fighting a band of cattle thieve and gunmen living- - In Morgan gap, a fertile valley 20 mljea from Sleepy Cat and near Calabasas, where the coach horaea are changed. De 8paln haa killed two of the gnng and hua been aerloualy wounded. Pretty Nan Morgan, niece of the gang leader, and De Spain are In love secretly but her unccle find It out and rave and ranta. CHAPTER XVIII Continued. 18 I wont put It down. She whirled. Tlila hulking bully I 1 know him better than you do." She pointed a quivering finger at her cousin. He Insulted me aa vilely as he could only a few months ago on Music mountain. And If this very same Henry de Spain hadnt happened to be there to protect me, you would have found me dead next morning by my own hand. Do you understand T" she cried, panting and furious. Thats what he is I" Her uncle tried to break In. Stop I" she exclaimed pointing at Gale. He never told you that, did he? No, nor you neither, snapped Duke hoarsely. I didnt tell- - you," retorted Nan, because I've been trying to live with you here In pence 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 it whom I meet, or ..where I go demanded, raining her words with flaming eyes on her belligerent cousin. I 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 I Gale, besldp himself with rage, stood his ground. He poured all that he safely could of abase on Nan's own head. She had appeased her wrath nnd made no attempt to retort, ouly looking at him with white face and burning eyes as she breathed defiance. Get out I he said Duke Interfered. to Gale harshly. I'll talk to her. Go . home 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. Now 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, but concealing nothing of Jts development 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 uncles face. His square, hard Jaw from beginning to end looked like stone. So he's your lover?" he said harsh;, ly when she had done. He wants to be your friend," returned Nun, determined not to give up. Duke looked at her uncompromisingThat man cant ever be any ly. friend of mine understand that I He on nt ever marry you. If fie ever tries to, so help me God, Ill kill him If 1 hnng for It I know his game. I know what he wants. He doesn't care a pinch of snuff for you He thinks he can hit me a blow by getting you away from me." Nothing could he further from the Imth, cxdnlmcd Nan hopelessly. Duke struck the table a smashing Til qpow Mr. de Mow with his fist Spain and his friends where they get 1 off." Uncle Duke, If you won't llstc i to reason, you must listen to seqpe. Think of what a position you put me In. I love you for all your care of me. I love him for his affection for me and because be consideration of me knows how to treat a woman! I know he wouldnt barm a hair on your hend, for my sake, yet you talk now of bloodshed between you two. I know wlint your words mean that one of you, or both of you, are to be killed for a senseless feud. He will not stand up and let any uiun shoot him down without ' resistance. If you lay your blood on Ills head, you know It would put a stain between him and me that never could be washed out as long as we lived. If you kill him I could never stay here with you. His blood would cry out every day and night against you." Duke's violent finger shot out at her. MAnd you're the gal I took from your mummy apd promised I'd bring up a decenf woman. Youve got hone o' her blood In you not a drop. You're the I guess- he didn't come tonight. brat of that mincing brother of mine, that eras always riding horseback and Nan noticed the Impassive manner of showing off in town while I was weed- his speaking and the low, even tones. I was kind of looking for him mying the tobacco beds. Nan clasped her hands. Dont self." blame me because Tro your brothers Is there another train tonight he child. Blame me because Ym a wom-i- could come on?" I don't think he will be back now because I have a heart, because I want to live and see you live, and before tomorrow night" to see suspicion, distrust, feuds, Nan, much disappointed, looked up alarms, and worse. Fm not ungrate- the line and down. I rode In this ful, ns you plainly say I am. I want afternoon from Music mountain espeiron to get out of what you qre In cially to see him. here I want to be out of It Td rather Scott, without commenting, smiled be dead now than to live and die In It with understanding and encourageAnd what Is this anger all for? Noth- ment and Nan was so filled with anxiing. He offers you his friendship ety that she welcomed a chance to She could speak no further. Her unde, talk to somebody. "I've often heard with a curse, left her alone. When she him speak of you, she ventured, arose In the early morning he had searching the dark eyes, and watching already gone away. the open, kindly smile characteristic of the man. Scott put his right hnnii CHAPTER XIX. out at his side. "I've ridden with that boy since he was so high. A Try-OI know he thinks everything of so Is Gat not a Sleepy large place you. that one would ordinarily have much I think a lot of him. trouble In finding a man In It If he You dont know me? she said tenDuke searched welL But Morgan drove Into town next morning and had tatively. His answer, concealed all that was to stay for three days waiting for a Not to speak to, no. necessary. chance to meet De Spain. Duke was I am Nan Morgan. not a man to talk much when he had I know your name pretty well, he anything of moment to put through, and he had left home determined, be- explained ; nothing seemed to disturb fore he came back, to finish for good his smile. And I came In because I was worwith his enemy. De Spain himself had been putting ried over something and wanted to off for weeks every business that would see Mr. de Spain. He Is buying horses north of Medbear putting off, and hpd been forced icine Bend. The rainstorm yesterday at length to run down Jo Medldne Bend to buy horses. Nan, after her likely kept him back some. I dont uncle left home Justly ' apprehensive think you need worry much over any of his Intentions made frantic efforts thing though." I dont mean I am worrying about to get word to De Spain of what was Mr. de Spain at Medldne Bend, disimpending. She could not telegraph a publicity that she dreaded would claimed Nan with a trace of embarhave followed at once. De Spain had rassment I know what 'you mean, smiled expected to be back in two days. Such a letter as. she could have sent would Bob Scott She regarded him He returned her gase renot reach him at Medicine Bend. As It was, a distressing' amount of assuringly as If he was confident of Did your pony come talk did attend Duke's efforts to get his ground. track of De Spain. Sleepy Cat had along all right after you left the footbut one Interpretation for bis Inqui- hills this afternoon? How did you Nan opened her eyes. ries and a fight, If one occurred between these men. It was conceded, know I came through the foothillsr I was over that way today. Somewould be historic In the annals of the town. Its anticipation was food for thing In the continuous smile enlight1 noall of the rnniprs of three days of sus- ened her more than the word. pense. For the town they were three ticed your pony went lame. You stopped to look at his foot days of thrilling expectation ; for exclaimed You were behind me, not without a confidant, Nan to or do which what 'way to knowing I didn't see you, he countered pruturn, they were the three bitterest dently. of she had ever known. days anxiety She seemed to fathom something Desperate with suspense at the close You Of the second day wild for a scrap of from the expression of his face. news, yet dreading one she saddled couldnt have known I was coming In," her pony and rode alone Into Sleepy she said quickly. No. He paused. Her eyes seemed Gat after nightfall to meet the train But on which De 8paln had told her he to Invite a further confidence would return from the east She rode after you started It would be a pity harm came to you on the road. straight to the hospital. Instead of U any You knew Uncle Duke was In going to the livery barn, and leaving Do you know nodded. Scott town? her horse, got supper and walked by earner I why way of unfrequented streets downtown I made a guess at It I dont think to the station to wait for the train. need worry over anything. you When the big train drew slowly, alDid you follow me down from the most noiselessly, in. Nan took her hospital tonight? place where no Incoming passenger "I was coming from my house after could escape her gaze and waited for I only kept close enough to Bupper. De Spain. But when all the arrivals you to be bandy." H had been accounted for, he had not Oh, I understand. And you are very come. kind! I don't know what to do now. She turned, to walk Go back to the hospital for the bnck uptown, trying to think of whom I will send Henry de Spain night she might seek some Information con- ur there Just as soon as he comes to cerning De Spnlns whereabouts, when town." her eye fell on a man standing not Suppose Uncle Duke sees him first. ten feet away at the door of the bag- I am deathly afraid of their meeting. "I'll see that he doesnt see him gage room. He was alone and seemed to be watching the changing of the first" Even De Spain himself, when he engines,, but Nan thought she knew him by sight The rather long, straight, came back the next night seemed blnck hair under the. hardly able to reassure her. When lint marked the man known nnd hated she had told all her story, De 8 pain In the gap as the Indian.- - Here, shd laughed at her fears. TU bring that said to herself, was a chance. De man around. Nan, dont worry. Don't Spain, she recalled, spoke of no one believe we shall ever fight I may not oftener than this man. He seemed be able to bring him around tomorrow, or next week, but Ill do It It takes wholly disengaged. Repressing her nervous timidity, two to quarrel, you know. But you dont know how unreasonNan walked over to him. Aren't you Mr. Scott? she asked abruptly. ing Uncle Duke Is when he Is angry, Scott turning to her, touched his said Nan mournfully. He wont listen hat as If quite unaware until that mo- to anybody. He always would listen Did Mr. de to me until now. Now, he says, I have ment of her existence. Spain get off this train?" she asked, as gone back on him, and he doesnt care what happens. Think, Henry, where Scott acknowledged his Identity. - n, ut ' ques-tlonlngl- , Nan-Isolate- ! -- heavy-hearte- d, broad-brimme- d n long-awaite- d ing. Hello, Duke Morgan, he snld frankly. Morgan looked around. His face hardened when he saw De Spain, and he Involuntarily took a short step backward. De Spain, with his left hand lying carelessly on the cigar case, I heard you wanted to faced him. see me, continued De Spain. I want to see you. Hows your back since you ' wen: home? Morgan eyed him with a mixture of suspicion and animosity. He took what was to him the most significant part of De Spains greeting first and threw his response Into words as short as words could be chopped : What do you want to see me about? "Nothing unpleasant, I ope, returned De Spain. Lets Ht d oryp a - minute. Say what you got to say. Well, dont take my head off, Duke. I was sori'y to hear you were hurt. And I've been trying to figure out how to make It easier for you to get to and from town while you are getting strong. Jeffries and I both feel theres been a lot of unnecessary hard feeling between the Morgans and the company, and we want to ask you to accept this to show some of Its ended. De Spain put his left hand Into his side pocket and held out an unsealed envelope to Morgan. Duke, taking the envelope, Whats this?" eyed It distrustfully. he demanded, opening It and drawing out a card, Something for easier riding. An annual pass for you and one over the stage line between Calabaaaa and Sleepy Cat with Mr. Jeffries compliments. Like a flash, Morgan tore the card pass In two and threw It angrily to the floor. Tell 'Mr.' Jeffries, he exclaimed violently, to The man that chanced at that moment to be lying in the nearest chair slid quietly but Imperiously out from under the razor and started with the barbers for the rear door, jrlplng the lather from one unshaven side of. his face with a neck towel as he took hla ' hasty way. At the back of the shop a fat man, sitting In a cflalr on g the high, platform, while a negro boy polished him, rose at Mor- gnu's imprecation and tried to step shoe-shinin- over the bootblacks head to the floor below. The boy, trying to get out of the way. Jumped back, and the fat man fell,; or pretended to tall, over him for It might be seen that the man, despite his size, bad lighted like a cat on his feet . y up to the and was Instantly front of the shop, exclaiming profane-- . ly but collectively at the lads awkwardness, before De Spain had had time to reply to the Insult. The noise and confusion of the Incident were considerable. Morgan was too old a fighter to look behind him at a critical moment No man could say he had meant to draw when he stamped the card underfoot but De Spain read It In his eye and knew that Lefever1 sudden diversion at the rear had made him hesitate; the crisis passed like a flash. Sorry you feel that way, Duke, returned De Spain, undisturbed. It Is a courtesy we were glad to extend. And I want to apeak to you about half-wa- Nan, too. Morgans face was livid. What about her? She has given me permission to ask your consent to our marriage, said De Spain, some time In the reasonable future. It was difficult for Duke to speak at all, he was so Infuriated. "You can get ray consent In Just one way, he managed to say, thats by getting me. Then I'm afraid HI never get It, for TU never 'get' you, Duke. A torrent of oaths fell from Morgan's cracked lips. He tried to tell De Spain In his fury that he. knew all about his underhand work, he called him more than one hard name, made no secret of his deadly enmity, and challenged him to end their differences then and there. De Spain did not move: Hla left hnnrt again lay on the cigar case. Duke, he said, when his antagonist had exhausted hla vituperation,' I wouldn't fight you, anyway. Youre crazy angry at me for no reason on earth. If you'll give me Just one good reason for feeling the way you do toward me, and the way youve always acted toward me since I came up to this country. I'll fight you. Pull your gun, cried Morgan with an Imprecation. I won't do It You call me a coward. Ask these boys here In the shop whether they agree with you on that You might as well call me an Isosceles triangle. You're Just crazy sore at ms when I want to be friends with you. Instead of pulling my gun, Duke, Fll lay It out on the case, here, to show you that all I ask of you Is to talk reason. De Spain, reaching with his left hand under the lapel of his coat took a Colts revolver from Its breast harness and laid it the muzzle toward s top of the himself, on the cigar stand. It reduced him to the necessity of a spring Into Morgan for the smallest chance for his life If Morgan should draw; but De Spain .was a desperate gambler In such matters even at twenty-eigh- t and he laid his wagers oh what he could read In an- other's eye. Theres more reasons than one why I shouldnt fight you, he said evenly. Duke, youre old enough to be my father do you realize that? What's the good of our shooting each other up? he asked. Ignoring Morgan's furious interruptions. Whos to look aftpr Nan when you go as yon must before very many years? Have you ever asked yourself that? Do you want to leave her to that pack of wolves In the gap? You know, Just as well as I do, the gap fineIs no place for a grained girl like Nan Morgan. But the gap Is your home: end youve done right to keep her under your roof and under your eye. Do you think Fd like to pull a trigger on a man thats been a father to Nan? Damnation, Duke, could you expect me to do It willingly?- Nan Is a queen. The brat In the world Isnt good enough for her Fm not good enough; I know that She's dear to you, she Is dear to me. If you really want to see me try to use a gun, send me a man that will Insult or abuse her. If you want to use your own gun, use It m me if I ever Insult or abuse her is that folr? plate-glas- high-bre- d, Damn your fine words, exclaimed Morgan slowly and Implacably. They dont pull any wool over my eyes. I know you, De Spain I know your breed n Whnts ' ' thatr Morgan checked himself at that tone. You cant sneak' Into my affairs any Keep away from deeper, he cried. my blood I I know how to take care of my own. Fll do It So help me God, If yon ever take anyone of my kin away from me Itll be oyer my dead11 body! He ended with a bitter oath and a final taunt : Is that fair? De 8pain finds he will have to use different tactics If he can hope ever to make Nan hla wife. What he seta out to do to eolvo hie big personal problem is described In the next Installment (TO RIB CONTINUED.) Bound to Get There. man cannot always tell when he reaches the door of opportunity. That may be true, but the fellow who tries every door he comes to will open one sooner or later. Birmingham A Age-Heral- d. . . |