Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-15
"STRANGER,"
MAN-STRIPw

ence. They did not disturb them They
knew too well that Duckworth somewhere
between the prison and the town would
join the four. The rain stopped, and the
two men, descending from the car, started
toward the town. The entire force of pur-
suers followed on their trail--confident of
success All this took time; the men walk
ed slowly and the carriage drove slowly
AS they entered the town, one set Of pur-
suers closed in upon the carriage, the other
upon the pedestrians.
1t was a fruitless proceeding. The men
We're unknown. but what of that? Two
men have right to take shelter from the
wet, and IL at night Is not an unheard-of
hour for two young skylarkers to drive to
town. They kept the gang a week and then
discharged them.
Duckworth with an intuition born Of
much experience as soon as he had landed
outside the wall, had eluded, not only the
officials, but also his own men. There was
less danger of mistake. He struck straight
across country, his pants rolled up and the
red stripes Of his suit concealed by long
linen buster which had been placed outside.
He had a good start and he took all
chances-for he was ahead of the alarm.
Next morning about O. clock man in
linen buster sat shivering In the branches
of tall tree. The tree stood near the road
and commanded the view in both direc-
lions.
Occasionally some conveyance passed.
The man in the tree surveyed the occupant
Finally he spoke. This is the man for
me-" he said. He looked far up the road,
then far in the other direction. There was
no other vehicle but the one in sight. In it
was young man. tall and lean and gaunt
as Duckworth himself Duckworth saun-
tered out and hailed him.
Stranger" he said in a pleasant voice,
"can you give me a lift to -"
The fellow looked at him doubtfully-
then at his watch. I'm in hurry he
said.
Duckworth glanced at him with a gentle
smile-the kind that had separate the two
old ladies from their patrimony.
WELL the fellow said, IT suppose I can
1 don't know" Duckworth leaned up
against the shafts. I'm tagged out he
said YEARLY. Would you mind gettin' my
bundle there against the tree? I don't want
to ask too much"
Duckworth, in his linen duster, was
pleasant-looking fellow enough, and he had
a persuasive way with him. The fellow got
out. AS he stepped down. his coattails
were brushed aside, and the handle of q
sixshooter stood out in view. Duckworth
gently seized 1t and slipped 1t out-a pre-
ceeding of which the other man was totally
unconscious.
The other man stepped to the tree-there
was no bundle.
He turned around to ask for an explana-
ton, and found himself looking down the
barrels of his own gun.
Stranger" continued Duckworth, throw
| ing back his duster, I'm an escaped con-
| vict. My name is Duckworth. You've
| heard of me. I'm desperate man. Strip"
| There was but one thing to do. The other
| man removed his outer garments and then
/ stopped Duckworth stood over him. go
| on" he said. But" the other man pro-
| tested. For answer Duckworth clicked the
weapon to full cock. Now" he said final
| ly, you put these on" 1t had been diff
| cult process for each-Duckworth dressed
| and undressed with one hand, but the whole
| thing had taken but few moments at the
most.
| Now" said Duckworth with a smile, as
| he drove off in the other mans clothes. in
| the other mans buggy, with the buster IN
| the bargain, III they find you, as they will,
| you tell EN- you're not Duckworth I'm
derstand? They'll believe you. Tell 'em I
| said so.''
The place where this happened was forty
| five miles from Duckworth's starting place
| The local officials. as Duckworth had as
| sumed, did later find the man. They lodged
| him in the local jail and telegraphed the
| news back to the prison. BY the time the
prison officials had reached there on the
train 1t was late in the afternoon Duck
worth had counted on this. He had at
least secured a good start.
Now, what the DEVIL" unused Duck
worth as he sped along-he had a good
horse-"did that fellow want with a six
shooter in peaceful community like this
and what was he riding like the devil for,
| I wonder?"
AS soon as he felt his composure fully re-
| stored he started in on an exploring expe-
dition. He began at the right-hand breast
pocket. That's as far as he ever got And
that was far enough.
Fifteen minutes later he replaced the