The Brandon Union from Brandon, Vermont • 2

THE BRANDON UNION. BRANDON. VT. VERMONT STATE NEWS nosed bullet. fo white maa don that, much leas IV Spain." "I'nUns he used another rifle," suggested Kennedy.

"Tell me bow they could avt bis own rifle away from him If be could fire a gun at all. I don't put Heary quite as high with a rifle as with a revolver if you want to split hairs mind. I say. if you want to split hairs. Bat no man that'a ever era him handle either Nansf Music Mountain where yea are tnalrht for a few minutes' talk?" continued the man coolly.

"Not antes yoa have something very important." "What I have Is more Important to yoa than to me." IV Spain took an Instant to decide. "All right." he said impatiently "come along. Only" he paused to let the word sink in. if this is a game you're springing" "I'm springing bo game." returned the man evenly. "Come along, then.

I'll tell yoa Just bow to get here. Do yoa hearf "I'm listening." "Leave Main street at Ranch erio street. Follow KaacLerlo north four blocks, turn west Into tlrant avenue. Mr. Jeffries' house Is on the corner.

Tit find It." "Don't come any other way. If you do. yoa won't see me." "I'm not afraid of yoa. Mr. de Spain, and I'll come as you say.

There's only one thing I should like to ask. It would be as much as my life Is worth to be seen talking to you. And there are other good reasons why I shouldn't like to have it known I had talked to you. Would you mind putting out the lights before I come up I mesn. in the front of the house and In the room where we talk?" "Not In the leat.

I mean I am always witling to take chance against any other man's. But I warn you. come prepared to take care of yourself." "If you will do as I ask, no bcrm will come to anyone." IV Spain heard the receiver hung up at the other end of the wire. He signitlcd the hastily and got bol of Boh Scott. To him he explained rapidly whut hud occurred, and what he wanted.

"(Jet up to Grant und Itan- know, or ought ts now everybody 'twist here and the rallmad knows that Iv Spain and Nan Morgan have facetted up to each other for the lung ride the dusty trail together. That. 1 take It, la their business. But her uncle, old Duke, and Gale, and the whole bunch. 1 hear, turned dead sore on it.

and have fixed it up to beat them. You all know the Morgans. They're some bunch and they stick for ooe another like hornets, and all hold together in a fight. 80 I don't want any man to ride in there with me thinking he's going to a wedding. He Isn't, lie may ir may not be going to a funeral, but he's not going to a shlvaree." t'rank KIpasn glanced sourly at his coiuuion.

I guess everybody here is wise. John." "I know you are. Frank." retorted Lrfever testily; "that's all right. I'm only explaining. And I don't want you to get sore on me if I don't show you a fight." Frank Klpaso grunted.

"1 am under orders." John waved his hand. "And I can't do anything "But talk." growled Frank Klpaso, not waving his hand. lefever started hotly forward In hi saddle. "Now look here. Frank." He Miinted hi finger at the objecting ranger.

"I'm here for business, not for pleasure. Any time I'm free you ran talk to me "Not till somebody gag you, John," iliterMiMil Klpaso moMllly. "INik here. Klpaso," demanded I.e-fever. spurring hi horse smartly to-wurd the Texan, "are you looking for a light with me right here and now?" "Ye, here aud now," declured EI-puso flcreely.

"nr. there and then." intcrtxtscd Kennedy, ironically, "some time, somewhere, or no time, nowhere. Having heard all of which, a hundred uud tifty time from you two fellow, let have In-nee. You've pulled it so often, over lit Sleepy flit, they've got it in double-faced, red-soul record. Let's get started." "Klght you are.

Kurrell." assented I.efcver. "but" "Second verse. John. Vcu'rc bos here; whut are wu -ing to dot That's nil we 10 know." "Henry' order were to wait here till ten o'clock tli! morning. There's been tiring Inside twice since twelve o'clock lin night.

He told me to pnv no 11 item ion to at. But If the whole plnce hudu't been under jter all night, I'd huve gone in, unywiiy. This lust time It wu two high-iowered guns, picking nt long runge und. if I'm any Judge of ritle and the men probably behind them, someone must hnve got hurt. It's all a gue but I'm going lu there, peaceably if I un.

to look for Henry de Spain If we are fired on we've got to fight for it. And if there's any tuUIng to be done" "You ca.i do It." grunted Klpaso, "Thank yon. Frank. Aud I will do It. I need not say tluit Kennedy will ride sheud with me, Klpaso and Wlekwire with Tominie Meggeson." Leaving Scott In the tree, the little party trotted smartly up the road, picking their wny through the pools and aero the brawling stream that tore over the truil toward Puke Morgan's place.

The condition of the trail broke their formation continually and Lefever, In the circumstances, was not sorry. His only anxiety was to keep Klpaso from riding ahend fur enough to embroil them In a quarrel before be himself should come up. Half way to Duke's house they found small bridge had gone out. It cut off the direct road, and. at Klpaso's suggestion, they crossed over to follow the ridge up the valley.

Swimming their horses through the backwater that covered the depression to the south, they gained the elevation and proceeded, unmolested, on their way. A they approached Sussoon's plnce. Klpaso, riding ahead, drew up his horse and sat a moment studying the trail and casting an occasional glance In the direction of the ranch-house, which lay under the brow of hill ahead. When lefever rode np to him. he saw the story that Klpaso was reading tn the roadway.

It told of a man shot In his tracks as he was running toward the house and. tn the Judgment of these men, fatally shot for. while hi companion spread like a fun In front of him, 1-ofever got off his horse and. bending Intently over the sudden page torn out of a man's life, recast the scene that bad taken place, where he stood, half an hour earlier. Some little time lefever ont patiently deciphering the story printed In the rutted road, and marked by a wide crimson splash in the middle of it.

He rose from his study at length and followed back the trail of the running feet that had been stricken at the pooL He stooped In front of a fragment of rock Jutting up beside the road, studied It a while and. looking about, picked up a number of empty cartrldge-sheHs, examined them, and to.ed there away. Then be straightened up and looked searching-ly acre the gup. Vnly the great, silent face of FJ Oapttan confronted him. It told no tales.

"If this waa Henry de Spain." muttered Klpawv, when lefever rejoined his companion, "he won't care whether you Join him now, or at ten o'clock, or never." "That Is not Henry." aserted le-fever with his asual cheer. "Net within frty row of apple trees. It's not Henry's gun. not Henry's beet, not Henry's hair, and thereby, not Henry bead that was hit that time. But It was to a finish and Named If at first it didat scare me.

I thought It might be Henry. Hang It. get down sad see tor yourselves, twyw." FJpao answered his Invitation wuh an "Who was tbts feilew fighting wtthT That. Is a Certainly not with Heary 4e Spaia. heeaase the ether fcSWw, 1 thiak.

was ssibg soft Haw did he happen rates Capitunr "He saw fire oa Music mountain and watched the lower end of the gap all night. Sassoon waa a wide-awake man." "Well, I'm sorry, rardaloe." continued Lv Spain after a inotuetit. "Nobody could call It my fault. It was either be or I or the life of a woman who never harmed a hair of his bead, and a woman I'm bound to ritect. He was running when be was hit.

If be had got to cover again there was nothing to stop him from picking both of as off." "He was hit in the head." De Spain was silent. "It wu a soft -nose ballet." continued i'ardaloe. Again there was pause. "I'll tell yoa about that, too, I'ardaloe." IV Spain went on colUftedly. "I loot my rifle before that man opened tire on us.

Nan hapiened to have her rifle with her if she hadn't, he'd 've dropped one or both of us off Kl Capi-tan. We were pinned against the wall like a couple of targets. If then- were soft-nose bullets In her rifle it's because she uses them on guiue htthcata and mountain lions. I never thought of it till this miuute. That is it." "What I came up to tell you has to do with Dave Sassoon.

From what happened today in the gap I thought you ought to know it now. tiale aud Duke quarreled ycMerduy over the way thing turned out: they were pretty bitter. Tlii afternoon tiale took it up again with his uncle, ami it ended In Duke's driving him licau out of the Cap." "Where has he gone?" "Nobody know yet. F.d Wlekwire told me once that your father was shot from ambush a good many years ago. It was north of Medicine Bend, on a ranch near the I 'cue- river; that you never foiiud out who killed hi ill.

aud that one reason why you came up Into this country wu to keep an eye out for a clue." "What about It?" usked Iv Spuln. his tone burdening. "I was riding home one night about month ago from t'aliiluisas with Sassoon. Ile'il been drinking. I let him do the talking.

He begun cussing you out, and tulked pretty bard about what you'd done, mid what he'd done, and whut he was going to do Nothing. It seemed, would hurry the story. "Finally, Sassoon says: That hound don't know yet who got his dad. It was Duke Morgan; that's who got him. I was with Duke when he turned the trick.

We rode down to Iv Sialn's ranch one night to look up a That," coududed I'urduloe, "was all Sassoon would say." He stopped. He seemed to wait. There was no word of answer, none of comment from the man sitting near him. But, for one, at least, who beard the passionless, monotonous recital of a murder of the long ago, there followed a silence as relentless as fate, a silence shrouded In the mystery of the darkness and striking despair into two hearts a alienee more fearful than any word. I'ardaloe shuffled his feet.

He coughed, hut be evoked no response. "I thought yon was entitled to know," he said finally. "Now that Sasaoon will never talk any more." IV Spain moistened his lips. When he spoke his voice waa cracked and harsh, as If with what he had hrsrd be had suddenly grown old. "You are right, rardaloe.

I thank you. I when I In the morning. I'ardaloe, for the present, go back In the gup. I will tulk with Wlekwire tomorrow." "Good night, Mr. de Spain." "Good night.

I'ardaloe." Bending forward, limp. In his chair, supporting his head vacantly on bis hands, trying to think and fearing to think, I Spain heard Pardaloe's measured tread on the descending steps, and listened mechanically to the retreating echoes of his footsteps down the shaded street. Minute after minute passed. LV Spain made ao move. A step so light that It could only have been the step of a delicate girlhood, a tep free as the footfall of youth, poised aa the tread of womanhoiKl and beauty, camo dvwn the stairs.

Slight she was, and silent as he was, she walked straight to him in the dark ness, and. sinking between his feet, wound her hands through his two anna. "I beard everything. Henry." she murmured, looking up. An Involuntary stsrt of protest wss his only response.

"I wss afraid of a plot against you. I stsyed st the bead of the stairs. Henry, I told you long ago some dreadful thing would come between us something not our fault. And now- It cornea to dash our cup of happinesa when ft la filling." She stopped, hoping perhaps he would say some little word, thst he would even pat her head, or press hrr hand, but he sat like one stunned "If It could hsve been anything but this" she pleaded, low and sorrowfully, "tin. why did you not liaten to me before we were engulfed! My dear Henry Ton who've given me all the happine I have ever had that the blood of my own should come against you and yours The etnotlno she struggled with, and fought bark with all the strength of her nature, roae In a resist lew tide that swept her on.

tn tbe aje of hi ominous sllcfy-r. to destlr Bat breath, no longer cootmtted. cats trokwuly. and her voice tremhied. "Tea have be very kind to at.

Ileary you'v been the only maa Tve ever known that always, everywhere. Ihowgtit of me first. I told you I dlda deserve it I wsanl wwrrhy vt It" His hands slipped sl'eafjy bee hand. He gathered ber dmae late his a raw. and bis tears fefl br ap-tansed face.

no cum HsUTsms PLEASED WITH ETHAN ALLEN. 1 General Edwards Finds "Magnificent I Spirit" at Cavalry. Past. Boston lraie of the higher ore's was given the om era ar4 men of the regular army ta.r post at Fvrt Ktban Allen. Buriingion, by Uenersd C.

K. Kdwardx conmunU er of the Northeastern ivpaitnont. on his return from au inspection tour. He visited the New England dnis.tr of the officers' training tamp aa well as the tv pot. The spirit of the men, both ieii Ur and recruits, was the general said There are 4 too recruit at the fort, and two regiments, the Kighteenth and Nineteenth, ate being formed by the eip.in-.ion.

of tbi Second, to-neral Edward said -They are as fine a lot of men as I have ever seen. I found msn ho of eighteen and nineteen, twelve. leen-year old boy an. I one nf'ern When I asked the latter what their parents said on enlistment, the reply was usually that their mothers demurred st first, but when the beys were determined to go, their fathers said: HJo to it." "Twice a day the men with the band, with short interval of quick time They are drilling, with the band, one hour at double k. st the first of which many of the men dropped out exhausted, but now 'hcv tome through in wonderful tle I found reiruits of live nd twenty of two d.iyv who ate ne splendidly.

Owing to the scarcity of oflocrs. privates of the regular force aie drilling platoon with a sm.irtne thst would make West I'ointii up. They are forming three regiments from seven troops and are doing won aerfully. There 1 very Utile si ness. I am pleased with tho shosing snd the men give hope of forming better troop than 1 had ever an'lci pated.

after all my service 111 reg ular army. "Their horses ill arrive soon sn I the men will be ready In thirty ds for breaking them In The men will then lie as hard as natl and rea.U for service very soon. They are using fire control with ball carirlilgta and are having wondeiful success with It Calls on Vermont Youth to Fill first Regiment. Montpelier-lsual board which will have charge of the dtawing names and consideration of certain exemptions In the military draft fnr this state. The county will bs the unit of apportionment of 'ho hoard, which will Include the county Hers In each a physician snd an other clt lien of standing The young men of the state ha been called upon by the Covernor to enlist In the 1st Vermont rimeni, ational gusrd.

so that Its rank may be filled to war strength before draft Ing occurs. The Governors sppeal points out thst "this probsl.lv wilt te the only regiment that will carrv Vei mont's colors Into action In Belgium or France About 800 men are nerd ed to supply the regiment's complement. Vermont Ambulance Company Rtsdy nurlingtnn The Vermont ambulance company. No. 25.

Is resdy st awaiting orders, according I'r William Stlrhney of Rutland, who has gathered practically the full quota i three surgeons and 125 men. reptr sentlng some 20 cities and towns of the state, from a large number of ar pllcanta and organised the unit lor war service abroad within the Isat few weeks That the Vermont unit will be among the first companies of the kind to see service in Frsnce aeema likely as the instructions already re-reived bv IT Stlckney Include the Information that the unit will be taken over by tbe Federal Government and sfvr a very ahort training at some point In the Tnlted States, be aertt to the battle front in Frsnes Three Killed by Gas Tee, Eaplosies. Holland -Twe men and a noy were killed by 'he et plosion of a fas tank In a store here Sunday The dead are Merle Wheeler, 1 yeaM of age. and Hrrv Wheeler, 57. son of Hollis Wheeler, proprietor of ore.

snd nusene Gray, aged w.rs filling fce tank with gas when the eisloalou occurred The nice of the B'ate Board et Heai'h report nt 01 i directly traresWe to roa- aglon fi" Mr rnm.Se tha woman who tTnm 'tlte-ttr In April broken out with hs 4 and who alnre haa beu ad Salted to bail by th- irnverameat bfonght b-fw t. court he chsrge of roavevlsa roa'ag-jo-j. 4jM.as frwu state state re met. organiser tor 'hs Jtew H-gUad sttlfc rmducer ria- wakieg a drive la Arm' Ctn'i et ih prveta i dairy arodef salldly organised se ess be stire af a raise la pevs July 1 The w-n ap-prollSBS'e'V rewu a hsared fas trdlk a4 a taeraaes fee a bw'tar fat. would want to try to take any kind a gun from him.

Whoever It was," Las-fever got up into his saddle smia. "threw some ounce of -lead Into that piece of rock hack there, though I don't understand how anyone could see a man lying behind It. "Anyway, whoever was hit here has been carried down the road. We'll try Sasmon's ranch-house If they dual fire on as before we get there." In the sunshine a man In shirt sleeves, leaning against the Jamb, stood in the open doorway of Sassoon'a shack, watching the Invaders aa they rode around the hill and gingerly approached. Lefever recognised Satt Morgan.

He flung a greeting to him from the saddle. Satt answered in kind, hat he eyed the horsemen with reserve when the drew up. and hesseemed to lefever altogether less responsive than nsuuL John sparred with him for Information and Satterlee gave back nothing but words. t'nn't tell us anything aliout Pe Spain, eh?" evlncd Lefever at length. "All right.

Suit, we'll find somebody that cuii. I there a bridge over to Duke's on tlii trail?" Sntt's nose wrinkled Into his normal smile. "There's bridge The re-mrt of three shot fired in the distance, seemiiigly from the mouth of the gap, iuterrupted him. He paused In hi utterance. There were no further shots, und be resumed "There Is a bridge that way.

yes, but It wu washed out lust ni'lit. They're blockaded. Duke und toile ure over there. They're pretty sore 011 your man IV Spain. You'd better keep away from 'em this morn wig unless you're liMiking nihle." l.ci'.-wr.

having all needed information from Scott's signal, raised hi hand iiiickly. "Not nt all." he ex-cluiined. leaning forward to emphasize his words mid lidding the full orbit of hi eye to hi sincerity of milliner. "Not nt all. Salt.

This is nil friendly, all friendly. But." he coughed slightly, if iu nMilogy. "if Henry shouldn't turn up O. we'll ahem be buck." None of his companion needed to be told how to get prudently away. At a nod from Lefever Tominie Meggeson.

Klpaso and Wlekwire wheeled their horses, rode rapidly back to the turn near the hill and. facing aliout, halted, with their rifles across their arms. Lefever and Kennedy followed lei nrely. and the party withdrew- leaving Sailer-lee, unmoved. In the sunny doorway.

Once out of sight. Lefever led the way rapidly down the gup to the (if ull the confused Impressions that crowded Nan's memory after the ttfld night on Music mountain, the most vivid was that of a noticeably light-stepping and not ungraceful fat man udvancing. hat tn band, to greet her aa she stood with IV Spuln. weary and bedraggled In the aspen grove. A smile flamed from her eyes when, turning at once, he rebuked Dc Spain with dignity for not Introducing him to Nan.

and while De Spain ma le apologies Lefever Introduced himself. "And Is this." murmured Nan, looking at lilm quizzically, "really Mr, John Lefever whom I've heard to many stories about She was conscious of his pleasing eyes and even teeth as he smiled aguln. "If they have come from Mr. de Spain I warn you," said John, "lake them with all reserve." "But they haven't all come from Mr. de Spain," "If they come from any of my friends, discredit them in advance.

You could believe what my enemies say." he ran on; then added Ingenuously, "If I had any enemies!" To IV Spain he talked very little. It seemed to tske but few words to exchange the news, t-cfever asked gingerly about the fight. He made no mention whatever of the crimson pool In the road near Sussoon's hut. CHAPTER XXVI. Puppets of Fate.

When Nsn rode with Iv Siain Into Sleepy Oat that morning. Icfever bad already told their story to Jeffries over the telephone from and Mrs. Jeffrie had thrown open her house to receive Nsn. Weary from rxiwwurc. confusion and hunger.

Nan was only too grateful for a refuge. On the evening of the second dsy I Spain wa Invited to Join the fsmlly at supper. In the evening the Jeffriese went dow ton n. IV Spain was talking with Nsn In the living room when the telephone 11 rang In the library. IV Spain took the call, and a man's voice answered his salutation.

The speaker asked for Mr. de Spain and seemed particular to make sure of his identity. "This." repeated De Spain more thsn once, and somewhat testily, "is IIary de Spain speaking." "I'd like to have a little talk with yea. Mr. de Spain." "Who are yvu The vetn of sharpac In the question met with no deviaOoa from the slow, even too of the voice at the other end of the w'lre.

"I am not la position to gi you my name," csme the iMirf, "st least, not over the wvre." A vagwe Impress soddewly creased) De Spwlns lalad thst swebe be had heard the vwica before. "Do yea sepposw I ceoij rorae cp te Br FRANK SPEARMAN Amthmt ml "WKHTCKINO MTH" (Uaerftaat mt Caawtaa atnkwwt Im CHAPTER XXIV Continued. Id Another bullet deliberately aimed, ehipprd the rock above blm. Nan. agonizing Id her um-iim, cried out be mut Join him ami go with blm If he went.

He steadied her with a few words. A bullet struck again viciously close Mwnn them. Ic Bpain spoke slowly "Give me your rill. Without turning hi head, be held out bin baud, keeping bin eyea rigidly on the u.piiou st on the ridge. "I low far la It to that road, She looked toward the faint line tht Iny in the deep shadow below.

"Three hundred yard." "Nan. if It wasn't for you. I couldn't travel this country at all," he re-narked with studious unconcern. "I.ast time I hud tto ammunition this time, no ritle you always huve what's nci-ded. How high are we.

Nan?" "Seven hundred feet." "Klcvute for me. Nun. will you?" "Uctncmlier the wind." she faltered, adjusting the Hit lit aN lie liml asked. With the cautioning word she msM-d I burnished glittering et with the raindrops. Into hi band.

A flush came from the distant I ilce. Throwing hi ritle to hi shoulder, le Spuln covered a hardly perceptible Mui'k object on the mil inid-wuy delweeu Siissimhi's ranch -house and a little bridge. Then he tired tie-lore Nan could believe he hud lined the Might. Once, twice, three tlmea Ms timid felt and rose sharply on the lever, with every mark of precision, yet no rapidly Nun could not understand how he could discover whul hi hot were doing. The fire came steadily back, and deliberately, without the leant Intlmiition af Ix-lng affected by IV Spain return, fshe bud never before seen a man hooting to kill another.

The very horror of watching IV Spain, at bay among the rocks. faclnated her. Since the flrnt day they bad met she had hardly aeen a rifle In hi hand. She trove to look. The butt of the heul-1ng rifle lay clone against the rod-murk tl check she knew well, and to the tlpa of the finger every particle of the man' being waa alive with strength and resource.

Smne strong fascination drew her senses out toward him a he knelt and threw hot after shot st the distant figure hidden on the ridge. She held out her arm and clasped her band toward him In an art of devotion. Then, while she looked, breathlessly. Its took his eye sn Instant from the Bight. "He's running!" exclaimed IV flpaln as the rifle butt went Inatantly tiark to his cheek.

"Whoever he Is, Coil help him now The word were more fearful to Van than an Imprecation, He had driven his enemy from the scant rover of a rut In the trail, and the man was fleeing for new cover and for life. Ballet after bullet pitilessly led the escaping wretch. Suddenly IV Spain larked the rifle from hi cheek, threw ack hi head, and swept hi left hand cross his straining ryes. Once more the rifle came up to place and flame hot again In the gray morning light from the hot munle. The rifle fell way from the shoulder.

The black peck running toward the rnnchhouse tumbled, as If stricken by sn as. and sprawled headlong on the trail. Throwing the lever again like lightning. IV 8aln held the rifle back to hi cheek. He did not Ore.

Second after sec-Mid he waited. Nan watched the tide slowly come down, utirtred. snd saw his drawn face slowly relax. Without taking: his eyes off the sprawling speck, he rose stiffly to his feet. As If in dream she ssw hi hand stretched toward her snd heard, he looked the fsr gulf, one word 'Vouie They reached the end of the trail.

TV Spain, ride tn hand, looked back. The sun. bunting In plenihr across the great desert. splshcd the vsllry snd the low-lying ridge with ribboned gold. Ksrther up the gap horsemen, stirred by the filing, were riding rap-ldly down toward Sswoon's ranch-house.

Hut the thing In the uashine lay quite eulL CHAPTER XXV. Lrfsver ts the setae, Lefever, chafing In the tpra grvTe tn.ler the restraint of waiting In the stornt, was ready long before daylight to break vrder aed ride In to (bad IV Spain. With the first peep of dawn, and Ita his mew fa.lng him tn their made a short eipJsnattow. "I dv I wsat soy man to fx- late the gap with rue this morning under say misunderstanding or any Tslae he began cheerfully. Svd ami wilt stay tight here.

If. any rhaaee, IV Spain nukes his way owt the cvt of tt are hunting for hinv voaH he bfct to signal a three tfcet. IV to nde la wttb Is- Sr: to hip carry be rest ws eit. New. lit like he a Med.

ed-stress' the ether, Tew, all of yea cherlo. Bob. as quick as the Lord will let yon. Come by the buck street. There's a high mulberry hedge at the sou 1I1 wot corner you can get behind.

This chap limy have been talking for somebody else. Anyway, look the man over when be pusses under the arc light. If it I Sassnon or Cule Morgnn. come lino Jeffries' house by the rear door. Walt in the kitchen for my cull from the living room, or shot.

I'll arrange for your getting In." Leaving the telephone, De Ssiin rejoined Nun In the living room. He told her briefly of the expected visit and explained, laughingly, that hi culler hud skill to huve the lights out and to see him alone. He made so little of the Incident that Nan walked up the stairs on IV Spain's arm reassured. When he kissed her at her room daor and turned down the stairs again, she leaned In the half-light over the banister, waving one hand at him and mus muring the last caution: "Be careful, Henry, won't you?" "IVarle, I'm always careful." 'Cause you're all I've got now," she whispered. "You're all I've got.

Nan, girl." "I haven't got any home or anythingJust you. Don't go to the door yourself. Isve the front door open. Stand behind the end of the piano till yon are awfully sure who It Is." "What a head. Nan IV Spain rut off the lights, threw open the front door, and In the darkness sat down on the piano stool.

A heavy step on the porch, a little while later, was followed by a knock on the open door. "Come in called De Spain roughly. The bulk of a large man filled and obscured for an Instant the opening, then the visitor stepped can-fully over the threshold. "Whut do you want?" asked IV Smin without changing his tone. He awaited with keenness the sound of the answer.

"Is Henry de Spain here?" The voice was not familiar to De Spain's ear. He told himself the man was unknown to him. "I am Henry de Spain." he returned without hesitation. "What do you want?" The visitor's deliberation was reflected in his measured speaking. "I am from Thief River." he began, and his reverberating voice was low and distinct "I was sent In to Morgan's gap some time ago to find out who burned the Calahasaa barn." "And you report to "Kennedy." IV Spain paused.

A fresh conviction had flashed across hi mind. "Yon called me up on the telephone one night last week," he said suddenly. The answer came without evasion. "I did." "You gave me a message from Nan Morgan that she never gave you." "I did. I thought she nccdi-d you right off.

She didn't know me a I rightly am. I knew what going on. I rode Into town thst evening and rode out again. It was not my buines. and I couldn't let It Interfere with the business I'm paid to look after.

Thst the reon I dodged you." "There 1 a rhsir at the left of the ibmr; sit down. Whst's your name?" The man feeling round slowly, deposited hi angular bulk with care up-n the little chsir. "My name" In the tensenea of the dark the words cemed to carry added mystery is rardalne." "You've got brother Joe suggested De Spain to trap him. "Nv Tve got no brother. I am Jut r-JsIn Jim Tarcaloe." "Say what yoa have to say.

Jim- "The I eu1d get In the gap with old Iuke Morgan I've beea working for him. off and on. and spending the rest of my time with Osle and tsve Sasvnnrt. There were thre men 13 the barn Miming. Dave Sassooa rot up the Jo.

"Where Iave Sassoca now?" "Dead." Both awe were sflewt fir a meoseat Testeeday morning's fihtr asked Ie 9pala rKacUaU, "Tea, air.".