Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1916-12-21

scarcely remember or believe that this
strange feat Of fancy or magma tien
had troubled hIEa, made HIM sleepless
and sick.
At length Ae determined to create
interest In all that he came across
and 80 forget himself al much ~ pos
sible. He had an opportunity now TO
see just what the outlaws life really
was. He meant TO force himaelf to
be curious, synpa thetic. clear-sishted.
And he would stay there In the valley
until it's possibilities had been en-
hausted or until circumstances sent
him out upon hts uncertain way.
When he returned to the shack
Euchre was cooking dinner.
Say, Buck. I've news for yea" he
said; and his tone conveyed either
pride in his possession Of SUCH newrs
or pride in Duane. 'Felier named
Bradley rode in this mornir'. Hes
heard some about you. Told about
the ace of spades they put over the
bullet-holes In tibet eewpuncher Balm
you plugged. Then there was q ranch
er shot at water hole twenty miles
south Of Wellston Reckon you didn't
do it,"
mo, I certainly did not" replied
Duane.
"Wal, yon get the blame. tt amt
nothing for teller to be saddled with
gun-plays he never made. An. luck.
if you ever get famous. as seems like
| ~, you'll be blamed for many q crime.
| The border IL make an outlaw an
murderer out OF you. Wal thets
| enough OF tibet. I've more neAs.
You're goin' to be popular"
Popular? What do you mesn?"
81 met BANDS wife this mornin'
! She seen you the other day when you
| rode in. She shore wants to meet yon
an so do some Of the other women
| In camp. They always want TO meet
the new fellers Hho've just come in.
It's lonesome for women here, an they
like to hear news from the towns
"Well, Euchre. don't want TO be
impolite, but I'd rather not meet any
women," reieined Duane.
II was afraid you wouldn't. Don't
blame YOU much. Women are hell. I
was hopfn', though, you might talk q
| little to tibet poor lonesome KID
What kid?" inquired Duane, IN sur
prise.
Didn't ] tell you about Jennte-ths
| girl BANDS holdin' here2"
mo. Tell me now" replied Duane,
abruptly.
WAL got 1t this way. Aebbe it's
straight, an mebbe 1t amt. Some
years ago Benson made a trip over the
river to buy mescai an other drinks.
An he run across gang OF greasers
with some grinGO prisoners. | don't
know, but, reckon there was some
barterin', perhaps murderin'. Any
way, Benson fetched the girl back
| She mas starved an scared half to
death. She hadn't been harmed.
reckon she was then about fourteen
years old. Bland seen the kid right
of and took her-bousht her from
Benson. You can gamble Bland didn't
| do tibet from notions OF chivalry.
Kate BANDS been hard on Jennie, but
| she's kept Bland an the other men
| from treating the kid shameful. Late
| Jennie has grown into an alfred
pretty girl, az Kate to powerful jeal-
| Gus of her. / can see hell brewin'
over there in Blsnd's cabin. Thet's
why wish you'd come over with nae.
| You'd get to see Jennie. an mebbe
you could help her. had baby girl
once, an il she'd lived she'd be rs big
as Jennie now, an I wouldn't want her
| here in BANDS camp
| 'I'li 60, Euehre. Take me over" re-
piled Duane He felt Rpchre's eyes
| upon him. The old outlaw, however,
had no more to say.
In the afternoon Euchre set OF with
Duane, and soon they reached BANDS
cabin. Duane remembered it az the
one where he had seen the pretty We
man watching him ride by. Through
the open door Duane caught q glimpse
Of bright Mexican blankets and rugs.
Euchre knocked upon the side OF the
! door.
"Is that you, Euehre?" asked q girls
voice, low, hesitatingly. The tone Of
| it, rather deep and with o note Of fear,
struck Duane.
| "Yes, it's me, Jennie. Where's Mrs.
| Bland?" answered Euchre.
"She went over to Degers. There's
somebody sick" replied the girl.
Euchre turned and whispered SOME
thing about luck The snap OF the
outlaws eyes was added significance
to Duane.
Jennie, come out or let AS come in.
Here's the young man was tellin' you
about" Euehre said. "Come out,
Jennie, an mebbe hell"
Euchre did not complete his sen
tence. But what he said was sufficient
TO bring the girl quickly. She ap-
! peared in the doorway with downcast
| eyes and a stain OF red in her white
| cheek. She had a pretty, sad face
and bright hair.
! Don't be bashful, Jennie" said
Euchre. you an Duane have 4
| chance to talk little. Now I'll go
fetch Mrs. Bland but I woat be hur-
ryin'."
With that Euchre went away
through the cottonwoods.
'Tm glad to meet you, Niss-Niss
| Jennie" said Duane. "Euchre didn't