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Show THE GRANT8VILLE i: , Nan gf Music CHANCE AND BAD LUCK FOR DUKE MORGAN GIVES DE SPAIN FRANK H. SPEARMAN Author of WHISPEKINQ SMITH" "For I am, she continued. uumuteti. But "It's a shame to accuse me in that way. You were thinking when you of what happened with Gale 1 1 . - . . itr . - r cold-bloode- d, r 1 ' OPPORTUNITY HE HAD Henry de Spain, general manager of the stage coach line running from Thief Biver to Sleepy Cat railroad division town. In the ltocky Mountains, la fighting a band of cattle thieves and gunmen who live In Morgan Gap, a fertile valley 20 miles from Sleep Cat add near Calabasaa, where the coach hones are changed. De Spain baa killed two of the gang and baa been seriously, wounded. Pretty Nan Morgan, niece of the gang leader, haa saved hla life and he la trying to make love to her, but receives no encouragement. -- oke lc mountain. ' on tawilfttby CkailMBodkMrttoM) "I wish to God you and . lived ne I Music mountain again ' CHAPTER XV Continued. or did anything worth living, for, till 10 came to me that day on Music But long before Bull Page reached you mountain. Its true I was thinking of Oalabaaaa that day De JSpaln had actwhen I spoke but not what happened ed. When he left Bull at the bridge to remind you you owed anything to lie started for Calabasas, took supper me. You dont; get that out of your there, ordered a saddle horse for one head. o'clock lq the morning, went to his I do, though. room, slept soundly, and, shortly after "I spoke In the way I did because I he was called, started for Music moun- wanted to remind you qf what might tain. He walked his horse Into the gap happen some time when Im not near. und rode straight for Duke Morgan's "I shant be caught off my guard fortress. Leaving the horse under a again. I knew how to defend myaelf heavy mountain pine close to the road, from a drunken man. De Spain walked carefully but directly He could not Restrain all the bitteraround the house to the east side. The ness he felt. That man, he said desky was cloudy and the darkness al- liberately, "la more dangerous sober most complete. He made his way as than drunk." "When I cant defend myself, my close as he could to Nans window, and raised the soft, crooning note of the uncle will defend me. "Ask him to let me help. desert owL, "He doesnt need any help. And he After a while he was able to distinnever ask you, tf he did. I cant would guish the outline of her casement, and, with much patience and some little live at home and know you; that la Skill remaining from the boyhood days, why I ask you not to come again. He was silent. "Don't you think, he kept up the faint call. Down at the she hesitated, considered" all big barn the chained- watchdog tore as Ifthings how easiest to put not knowing himself .with a fury of barking at the It to be willing to shake Intruder, but mountain lions were com- handsyouandought good-by-? say mon In the gap, and the noisy sentinel Why, if you wish It" he answered, gained no credit for his alarm. In- taken aback. And he added more quideed, when the dog slackened his etly, Yea, If you say so. fierceness, De Spain threw a stone over I mean for good. his way to encourage a fresh outburst he returned, pausing, don't" I But neither the guardian nor the InYou are not willing to be fair. ' truder was able to' arouse anyone I want to be fair I dont want to within the house. promise more than human nature will Undeterred by bis failure, De Spain stand for and then break my word. held.hls ground as long as be dared. ' T am not asking a whole lot When daybreak threatened, he withNot, a whole lot to you, I know. drew. The following night he was In But df you really mean that you don't the gap earlier and with renewed de- want me ever p apeak to you again? termination. He tossed a pebble Into "If you must put It that way yes. Nans open window and renewed his "Well he took a long breath soft call. Soon a light flickered for an there la one way to make aura of that ' instant within the room and died out ril tell you honestly I dont want to In the darkness following this, De stand In the way of such a wish, If Spain thought he discerned a figure It's really yours. As you have said. It outlined at the casement Some min- Isn't fair, perhaps, for me to go against utes later a door opened and dosed. It Got your pistol, with you. Nan?" He repeated the 'cry of the owl, and No. could hear a footstep; the next mo"That Is the way you take care of ment he whispered her name as she yourself, Is It? stood before him; Tm not afraid of you. "What Is It you want?" she asked, - You ought to be ashamed of yourso calmly that it upset him. "Why do self not to be. And you dont even you come here? know whom youll meet before you can Where he stood he was afraid of the lock tbe front door again. You promsound of her voice, and afraid of his ised me never to go out without It ' own. "To see you," he said, collecting Promise me that once more, will your himself. "Gome over to the pine tree. She did as he asked her. Now, give Under Its heavy branches, where the me your hand, please, he went on. darkness was most Intense, he told her "Take hold of this. "What la why he had come because be could not see her anywhere outside. "The butt of my revolver. Don't be There Is nothing to. see me about," afraid. She heard the slight click of I helped the hammer with a thrill of strange apshe responded, still calm. I prehension. "What are you doing? .wounded. were because you you was glad to see you get away without she demanded hurriedly. Put your Huger on the trigger so. fighting I bate bloodshed." "But put yourself In my place a It la cocked. Now pull. t She caught her breath. "What do little, wont you?. After what you did for me, isnt It natural I should want you mean? to be sure you are well and not In any He was holding the gun In his two trouble on my pccountt" hands, his fingers overlapping hers, the "It may be natural, but It Isnt nec- morale at the breast of his Jacket essary. I am in no trouble. No one Pull, be repeated, "thats all you have to do ; Pm steadying It here knows I even know you." I She snatched back lief hand. "What me then. for coming, "Excuse For me to couldnt rest. Nan, without knowing do you mean? she cried. I Shame kill was last here you? something. I nght. You are too excited all I asked I know' you were. you was to take the trouble to crook He started. "You made no sign. was your finger end Ill never speak to Why should IT I suspected It yon again you'll have your wish forI came When you again tonight you. ever. knew I should have to speak to you "Shame I t least to ask Vou not to come again." I mean Why shame? he retorted. "But you will be In and out of town meant what If you I you say. what Nan? sometimes, won't you, dont you pu It out of my why said, to with not will be talk It "Itl'am, power ever to speak to you? Do you you." me to pull the trigger? were words spoken deliberately. want The told I you once I'm not an assasDe Spain was silent for a moment how d.ure you ask me to do such sin asked. he to met" to even "Not speak she cried furiously.. You must know the position I am a thing he suggested uncle, "Call y.ur "And a what poin, she answered. hold this meantime sition you place me In If I am seen to coolly. "You may In no so youll know hes danger. Take gpeak to you. This Is my home. You my gun and call your uncle' are the enemy of my people. "Shame on you I "Not because I want to be. "Call Gale call any man In the gap "And you cant expect them not to on my part theyll' Jump at the chance. resent any acquaintance brutal "You are a with you." ever I Pm you helped wretch sorry "Do He paused before continuing. Pm sorry I ever let you help me Pm one as of Hale count your Morgan you sorry I ever saw you .e askedkvenly. people She sprang away before he could must" I "I suppose Don't you think you ought to count Interpose a word. He stood stunned ,y the suddenness of her outburst, tryall of your friends, your to breathe, at the thPfu who ftould defend you with their ing to listen and the front door heard nm He time. She made people? lives, among your But no furstood and of kind waiting. close, the no answer. "Arent they from the house greeted his sound need when ther "you be persisted, people, ears. T" you are In trouble "And I thought, he muttered to V You neednt remind me I should be "that might calm her down a himself, grateful to you little. Pm certainly In wrong, now. i "Nan i je exclaimed. . AN f By well-wisher- UTAH. LONG SOUGHT AND HE MAKES THE MOST OF IT WITH THE GIRL HE LOVES Mountain 1 NEWS, GRANTSVILLE, s, CHAPTER he had figured, exhausted as d topics, by commentators, more or less hazy stories of his earlier experiences at Medicine Bend in the company of Whispering Smith were dragged Into the talk. One convalescent stage-guar- d at the hospital told a story one night at supper about him that chilled Nan aguin with strange fears, for she knew it to be true. He hnd had it from McAlpln himself, so the guard said, tlmt De Spains father had long ago been shot down from ambush by a cattleman and that Henry de Spain had sworn to find that man and kill him. And It was hinted pretty strongly that De Spain hud Information when he consented to come to Sleepy Cat that the assassin still lived, and lived somewhere around the head of the sinks. On that very evening It chanced the doctor came late. When he walked in he asked her If she knew It was Frontier day, and reminded her that Just a year ngo she had shot against Ilenry de Spain and beaten tbe most dangerous man and the deadliest shot on the mountain divide In her rifle match. How he iiad grown In the Imagination of Sleepy Cat and Music mountain, she said to herself while the doctor talked to her uncle since that day a year ago ! Then he was no more than an unknown and discomfited marksman from Medicine Bend, beaten by a mountain girl now the most talked-o- f man In the high country. And the suspicion would sometimes obtrude Itself with pride Into her mind, that she who never mentioned his name when It was discussed before her, really knew and understood him better than any of those that talked so much that she had at least one great vjew In Sleepy Cat of Music mountain. We didnt come out here to see Musecret with him alone. ,' sic mountain. When leaving, the doctor wished to . I come here often to look at It Yon send over from his office medicine for her uncle. Nan offered to go with him, wont let me see you whnt can I do but the doctor said It was pretty late but look at where you live? IIow long and Main street pretty noisy he pre- are yon going to keep me away? ferred to find a messenger. When .Nan did not answer. lie urged her to speak. Yon know very well It Is there came a rap on the balf-opedoor, Bhe went forward to take the medicine my people that will never be friendly from the messenger and saw, standing with you, she replied. ."How can I' her before her In the hall, De Spain. were priming a lawn settee. She shrank back as If struck. She ITeThey" sat down. She would not follow. tried to speak. Her tongue refused Its She stood In n sort of protest at his office. De Spain held a package out side, hut he did not release her hntuL In bis hand. Doctor Torpy asked me 'Til tell yon how yon can be, he reto give yon this. turned. Make me onp of our people. Doctor Torpy? What Is It? That never can he. she declared "I really dont know I suppose It stubbornly. "You know It ns well ns Is medicine. She heard her uncle turn I do. 'Why do you sny such things? In his bed at the sound of voices. she demanded, drawing away her hand. Do yon wont to know?? Thinking only that Jie must not at any cost see De Spuln, Nan stepped quickNo. ly Into the hall and faced the messenIts because I love yon. ger. "I was over at the doctor's ofShe strove to command herself. fice Just now, continued her visitor "Whether you do or not can't make evenly; "he asked me to bring this any difference, she returned steadily. She took the We are separated by everything. down for your uncle. package with an Incoherent acknowl- Theres n gulf between us. It never Without letting her eyes can be crossed. We should both of edgment. meet his, she was conscious of how us be wretched If It ever were crossed." fresh and cleun and strong he looked, He had risen' from the bench and dressed In a livelier manner than caught her hand. Its because we usual a partly cowboy effect, with a haven't crossed It were wretched," he broader hat and a gayer tie than he said determinedly. Cross II with me ordinarily affected. De Spain kept on now I He cuught her in Ids srms. speaking: "Tbe telephone girl in the She struggled o escape. She knew office downstairs told me to come right what was coinlag and fought to keep up. IIow is your uncle? her face from him. With resistless She regnrded him wonderingly. "lie strength, and yet carefully as a mother has a good deal of pain, she answered with an obstinate child, he held her quietly. slight body against his breast, relentToo bad he should have been hurt lessly drawing her hend closer. Let In such a way. Are yon pretty well, me go she panted, twisting her avertShe thanked him. Nan? ed hend from the hollow of hia .arm. "Stay here a good deal, do yon? m Drinking in the wine of her frightened bet you dont know what day this Is? breath, he bent over her In the darkNan looked up the corridor, but she ness until Ills pulsing eagerness Joked answered to tbe point: "You'd lose. her warm Ups to his own. She had She darted surrendered to her first kiss. "It's our anniversary. a look of Indignant disclaimer at him. He spoke. The gulfs crossed. Are But In doing so she met his eyes. you so awfully wretched?" "Have you seen the decorations in They sank together down on the Main street? Come to the door Just a bench. Wlint," she faltered, will beminute and see the way theyve lighted come of me now? She knew Just the extbe arches. You are better off now than yon pression of his eyes that went with ever were, Kan. You've gained this that tone. She. looked vexedly at him moment a big brother, a lover you ran to confirm her suspicion. Sure enough drag around the world after yon with there In the brown port and In the lids, a piece of thread. It was, the most troublesome possible You act as If I could. kind of an expression hard to be resoI mean It ; Its trne. I'm pledged te lute against. Her eyes fell away, but yon forever yon, to me forever. Well some damage had been done. lie did keep our secret till we can manage not say another word. None seemed them. Evand we will He Just kept still and things; will come manage necessary. Nan. because erything right something no one could have said everything must come right Just what seemed to talk for him to I only hope you are not wrong, she poor defenseless Nan. She hesitated murmured, her eyes turned toward the helplessly.- "I cant leave uncle, she somber mountains. objected at last , "Ask him to come along. Her eyes fluttered about the dimly After this Important turn of lighted hall. "I ought not to leave. Do 8pain lays plans to affairs, "Ill stay here at the door while yon overcome Nane tribe and marry a" i her. Big development! are deIrresolute, she let her eyes rest In the next Installment scribed of a on second hla again for a fraction In which XVI. long-winde- Her Bad Penny. Nan reaclu. her room In a fever of excitement, angry at .De Spain, bitterly angry at Gale, angry with tbe mountains, the world, and resentfully fighting the pillow on which she cried herself to sleep. In the morning every nerve was on edge.' When her Unde Duke, with hla chopping utterance, 'j said something short to her at their, very early breakfast he was surprised by an answer equally short Hef; uncle retorted sharply. A second dirt answer greeted his rebuff, and wfdle he stared at her. Nan left the talfie and the room. Duke, taking two Of the men, started that morning for Sleepy Cat with a bunch of cattle. He rode a fractious horse. Infuriated, sp hla horses frequently were, by his brutal treatment bolted In a moment unguarded by hla master, and flung Duke on hla back In a atrip of lava rocks. v The old man In the mountains a man is called old after he passes forty was heavy, and the fall a serious one. He picked himself up while the men were recovering his horse, knocked the horse over the head with a piece of Jagged rock when the frightened beast was brought back, climbed Into the saddle again, and rode all the . ! . way Into lown. But when hla busfness was done, Duke, too, was done. He could neither alt a horse, nor alt In a wajfon. Sleepy Cat was stirred at the news, and that the man who hnd defied everybody In the mountains for twenty years should have been laid low and sent to the hospital by a mere broncho was the topic of many comments. De Spain, who was at Calabasas, knew Nan would not be alarmed should her unde not return that night But early In the morning a messenger from McAlpln rode to her with a note telling her of the accident Whatever hla vices, Duke had been a good protector to hla dead brothers child. He had sent her to good schools and tried to revive Jo her. despite her untoward surroundings, the better traditions of the family as It had once flourished In Kentucky. Nan took the saddle for Sleepy Cat In haste ' nnd alarm. When die reached her uncles bedside she understood how seriously he had been hart, and the doctors warnings were not needed to convince her he must have rare. Duke refused to let her leave him. in any case, and Nan relieved the nnrae, and, what wna of equal moment, mode herself custodian of the cash In hand before Dukes town companions conld get hold of It Occasional trips to the gap were necessary as the weeks passed and her uncle could not be moved. "These Nan had feared as threatening an encounter either by accident, or on his part designed, with De Spain. But the Impending encounter never tobk place. De Spain, attending closely to his own business, managed to keep accurate track of her whereabouts without getting in her way. She had come to Sleepy Cat dreading to meet him nnd fearing his influence over her, but this apprehension, with the passing of a curiously brief period, dissolved into a confidence In her ability to withstand further) Interference, on anyones part, with her feelings. Gale Morgan rode Into town frequently, and Nan at first painfully apprehended hearing sometime of a deadly duel between her truculent gap admirer and her persistent town courtier who was more considerate and better mannered, but no less dogged, and. In fact, a good deal more difficult to handle. As to the boisterous mountain man, his resolute little cousin made no secret of her detestation of him. ' She denied and defied him as openly as a girl could, and heard hla threats with continued Indifference. She was quite alone, too, in her fear 'of any fatal meeting between the two men who seemed determined to pursue her. The truth was that after Calabasas, De Spain, from Thief river to Sleepy Cat, was a marked man. None sought to cross his path or hla purposes, and neither the town hannta of Calabasaa men nor those of their Morgan Gap sympathizers had any champion disposed to follow too closely the alert Medicine Bend railroader. In and about the hospital, and In the town Itself, Nan found the chief obstacle to her peace of mind In the talk she could not always avoid hearing about De Spain. Convalescents in the corridors, practically all of them men, never gathered In sunny corners or at the tables In the dining room without De Spains name coming In some way Into the talk, to be followed with varying circumstantial accounts of what really had happened that day at the knob of the door to enter the rooms, "Can I help any? Oh, nor fine criSC indignantly. Jle laughed silently : Til stay here. Nifh disappeared. Lounging against the rfndowrill opposite thedoor, he waited. After a long time the door was stealthily reopened. Nan tiptoed out She closed It softly behind her: I waited for him to go to sleep, rim explained as she started down the corridor with De Spuln. "Hes hnd a much pnln today I hope he sleeps. "I hope so, too, exclaimed De Spain fervently. Nan Ignored the Implication. She looked straight ahead. Slie had nothing to suy. De Spain, walking berid her, devoured her with his eyes; listened to her footfalls; tried to make talk; but 'Nan was silent. Standing on the wide veranda outride the front door, she assented to the beauty of the distant illumination, but- - not enthusiastically. De Spain declared It could be seen very much better front" the street below. Nan thought she could see very .well where they stood. But by this time she was answering questions dryly. It Is true, and1 In monosyllables, but answering. De Spuln leading the way a ptep or two forward at a time, coaxed her down, the driven-ay-. She stood again Irresolute, he drinking in the fragrance of her presence after the long separation and playing luADo yon reluctance guardedly. know, she exclaimed with sudden, resentment, "you make It awfully hard to be mean to yon? ' With a laugh he caught her hand and made her walk down the hospital steps. "You may be as meun as yon like, he answered Indifferently. "Only, never ask me to be mean to yon. I wish to heaven you would be, she retorted. "Do you remember, he asked, "what we were doing a year ago today? "No. Before he could sjieuk again she changed her answer: "Yes, I do remember. If I said no youd be sure to remind me of whnt we were doing. We cant Bee as well here as we conld from the steps. But from here, you have the best -- - n 1 eyes; when she drew a breath after that pause everything was over. "I'd I'lU lijB, i.UlliNUL.J better give him his medicine first, she Optimistic Thougnt sold, looking toward the sickroom door. It costs mom to revenge Injuries Hla monosyllabic answer wna cnlm: And with all the known escapades Do. Then as she laid her hand on than it does to bear them. Cala-basa- n. |