The evening world., 1914-01-28
By Robert ". Chamber,

froa tie actions Of The I've tAAA thsls
this discovery Immediately raised Q
doubt In his mind a. TO the correct.
neeo Of his deductions.
Yet the doubt did not softov0ly -.
feet his determination 20 carry out
the plan he had In mind. and when
. few moments after coming out Of
the cabin, Dakota departed down the
river trail. Duncan slowly rode out
Of the grove and approached the
cabin.
Doubisr stood in the e,sa doorway.
looking after Dakota, and when the
latter finally disappeared around .
bend In the river the hester turned
and saw Duncan. Instantly he
pearing Immediately. holding . rife.
Duncan. continued 10 ride forward.
raising one hand. with the palm 70.
ward BOULDER. ~ . sign Of the peace
fulness OF his intentions. The lat.
ter permitted him to approach,
though he held the ride bsiligsrsntiy.
II want TO talk" said Duncan.
whom he had como near enough 20
mako himself heard.
Pull up right whore you are,
thcn." commanded Doubier. He was
silent while Duncan drew his pony
TO q halt and sat motionless In the
saddle looking at him. Then his voice
came with . truculent snap:
You alonef"
Duncan nodded.
where's your new bossr' sarcas.
tically inquired Doubler. "Ain't you
scared he'll sit lost-runnin' around
alone without any one TO look AFTER
him7'
II sin't his keeper" returned Dun
can shortly.
Doubler laughed unbsiisvinsiy.
you was putin In . heap Of your
time bein' his keeper, tho last I saw
OF you." he declared colby.
"Mebbe I was. We've had Q fall.
ing out" Tho venom in Duncau's
voice was not at all pretended. Hes
double crossed me"
Double crossed your" There vas
disbelief and suspicion In Doubier's
laugh. "How's he done that3 lreok.
to do that to YOU" The sarcasm II
this last brought Q dark red into
Duncan. face. but he successfully
concealed his resentment and smiled.
That's all right" he said: 1--WE
got moro than that coming from you.
I'm telling you about what he done
to me II You amt got any objections
to me getting of my horse"
Tell me from where you are" In
spite Of tho coldness In the nsster's
voice thcre was interest in his eyes.
"Mebbe you an him have had Q failin'
out. but amt takin' any chances on
you betn' my friend-not = burned
chance"
That's right. I don't blame you for
not wanting to take q chance, and
I'm not pretending to be your friend.
And l sure Amt any friendly -
. Langford. He's double crossed me,
but I amt telling how no done IT.
that's something between him and
me. but want to tell you something
It's about some guy which 10 trying
to double cross you. To prove that
amt thinking to plug you when you
amt looking I'm leaving my gun
here" He drew out his SIX 0hootAs
and stuck II behind his slicksr, dis.
mounted and threw the reins over the
pony's head.
approach. though he kept his rife
ready in his hand and bis eyes stilI
continued to wear . belligerent ex-
preston.
You and me amt what you might
call friendly for Q long time" offered
Duncan when he had halted . few
feet from Doubisr. we've had
words. but rye never tried 20 taxa
any moan advantage Of you-whioh
I might have done II I'd wanted TO-"
He smiled ingratiatingiy.
I'VE amt goin' TO 60 over what's
happened between w." dcelared
Doublsr ooldly. We're lsttin' that 20
BY. II you'll stick 70 the pAlavss that
Wnsu muN6A hnsst snAkhA vnsAVl ~ ahl~
to-git along for . minute or tive.
Meanwhile. you'll excuse me Il hep
this here gun In shape for .you II
you try any monkey business"
Duncan masked his dislike Of
Doublsr under dspreoatoY smile.
That's right" be agreed. We'll lei
what's happened pass without talking
about Il. What's between ~ now
10 something. dinsrsnt I've nsxes
pretended 70 b your friend: ana En-
But I've always been square with you,
; and I'm square now. Can you say
that about himf" He jsrtsd his
thumb In tho direction Of the rtveI
trail. on which Dakota had vanished
some time before.
"Him?" inquired Doubier. "You
mean Dakota2" He caught Duncan'i
nod and smiled slowly II reckon
you're some OFT your ranke. No s1so
There amt no comparin' Dakota Ia
you-hs's always been my friend"
"A mans got . friend one day and
he's an enemy the next" said Dun.
can mysteriously.
"Meanin'?"
Meaning that Dakota aiurs %
much OF . friend as you think he u"
Doubler's lips grow straight and
hard. II reckon that ends tho pals
,, YER" he said coldly. while he fingered
the rife In his hand signihcautly
"If that's what you come for you
, can DO hittin' the breeze, right bach
, to the Double r. I'm gtvlh' YOU
You're travelling too fast" rsmon
. strated Duncan, Q hoarseness coming
!, into his voice. You'll talk different
, when you hear what I've got to say
! reckon you know that Iangfort
, amt any friendly to your"
II don't ses"--- began Doubler.
He was interrupted by Duncan'i
, harsh laugh. "Of course you DOM
, sss." he said. I've con" r~rs q
, make you open your eyes - ford
, amt no friend OF yours. AMI rockor
that you wouldn't consider any mar
, your friend which sets In his eabiE