Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1915-07-23

worthy OF any thus fcr concerned IN
lts dcstinles True. kitty's rcccllec.
tiou had been correct--shc hac indeed
seen him among Landlords condotticri
Yet lawlcss as the members OF that
band were. he scarce was nc TO claim
comradeship with them.
His name IN truth was nlake--a rem.
egade Englishman. who had for some
time belonged TO the underworld OF
the capital OF Gretshoffen. II. animnt
ed BY some greater ambition OF his
own. he now and then Joined the bands
OF the desert rovers. his real prefer
ence was fer the underworld OF the
city, where. with HIS comrades OF the
cheaper thieving gentry. he might for
the most part smoke or loaf In Idle
ness. not concerned In deeds OF activ.
ity OF daring. II had been by mere
chance OF bis pnowling nature that he
had learned something about the own
ership OF the broken coin-had guessed
that Il might have some value and
had resolved 10 possess himself Of u.
As no fed now. therefore, he made
not for the desert 80 much as Ter the
dens OF his own sort in the purlieus
OF Gretzhoffen town itself. When at
length. after his long ride across the
neutral country. he found himself once
more uear 10 what he called home, he
cast loose his horse and completed his
Journey on foot.
At the door OF the UNDERGROUND dive,
where he counted upon meeting most
Of his friends. be made the usual sign
OF admission. II was a choice band Of
kindred souls who rose 20 greet him
as he entered They asked him what
cheer.
What have | done-what have |
takenY" Staggering, he pushed them
/ aside and threw on the table In the
center OF the room bit OF coin which
he took from his pocket.
Something. comrades. ! am think
ing"
A roar OF laughter broke from them.
as, a motley group, they surrounded
him.
"He is a jolly Jester. is It not so, my
brothersl" exclaimed one. "A coiDl
II II we're whole II might be worth per
haps Ira or so, but broken--it is
worthless What can we get for this
in a bank, my brothers? SO, Blake
Is this your days work."
You may laugh. comrades" said he
"all you like; at the same time.
venture you that coin will be worth
something to us before we are done
with H."
"What is it?" exclaimed one, curl
ously, examining the inscription. "Ar
old Roman coin, do you think2"
"True. there is a mystery about It
my bullies. never doubt that. II is {
mystery that win pay wen wher
solved. Besides, II might act as som'
sort Of safeguard for US. There hal
been plenty Of talk OF late that ou
band may need friends TO keep Vi
from the moose. Very well. then
think the ownership OF this coin a
least will give us friends when w
may need them Guard II well. tina
same broken coin. my brothers"
What do you meanr asked tn
| bpOkthIndu W uO
sought II, then7"
such men as Count Sachio OF Ora
hoffen. II was of him took II. Their
. was pursuing II, also, that same youn
| American--and that rufilan OF hers
who serves her so like dog-Roleau
I heard her call him. My word. h
had grip OF steel in his hands-h
well-nigh did for me before | coul
! make my escape. / saw Count Sachi
drop the coin upon the floor. l thre,
! my man SO l could pick II up. an
, then fed My word to you, brothers
/ fed at speed So here I am"
, Now. while these thieves Of the cit
!. were holding their little conference
> their bolder brethren of the deser
r not so far away In their own rendei
5 vous, were gathered for an evening
CONVERSE dozen or more OF Lar
q dozfs band OF desert riders, hail 70
, lows well met, friends OF the king
r troops and enemies. az they boaste,
OF none but the rich. Their beadqua
fers, as was generally known. lay q III
a tie way back on the cross-trail OF tn
main road. between the two kingdom
q OF Grahoffen and Gretzhoffen. whic
4 crossed midway OF the neutral lands
When Kitty fed after the THE
Blake, II was at FIRST with no deflnit
. purpose OF her own; but she had nc
. gone far before she realized that alon
she could accomplish little againt
=. such men as he; and she doubted nc
: that he was on his way to join hi
: comrades. What then was there
. do? Who could aid her3
= Even as she rode the thought cam
70 Kitty's mind OF the debonair band
a leader, Landozi. the same who had q
CALAMITY freed her and escorted he
to the city's gates but short tim
before. She was woman enough
. know the impression she had made Q