The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1916-08-10

Then for the first time the drawn
faced, hungry eyed giant turned hi
gaze upon Duane He had intelligence
which was not yet subservient to pas
sion. Moreover, he seemed the kind O
man Duane would care to have judge
him in critical moment like this.
Listen" said Duane, gravely. witt
his eyes steady on Aiken's, I'm Bucl
Duane. ! never lied to any man in my
life. l was forced into outlawry. I've
never had chance to leave the coun-
try. I've killed men to save my own
life. l never Intentionally harmed any
ately to see what this reward was, who
made it, what for. When l read the
placard l went sick to the bottom OF
my soul. So l rode in here to find you
to tell you this: l never saw Shir-
ley before today. 1t was impossible
for me to have-killed your wife. Last
September l was 200 miles north OF
here on the upper Nueces. l can prove
that. Men who know me will tell you
| couldn't murder woman. l haven
any idea why such q deed should be
laid at my hands. It's just that wild
border gossip. L have no idea what rea-
sons you have for holding me respon-
sibIe. l only know-you're wrong.
| You've been deceived. And see here,
Aiken. You understand I'm miserable
| man. I'm about broken, I guess. l don't
! care any more for life, or anything. II
you can't look me III the eyes, man to
| man. and believe what l say-why, by
God! you can kill mel"
Aiken heaved great breath.
Buck Duane. whether I'm impressed
or not by what you say needn't matter.
You've had accusers, Justly or I'M
justly, as will soon appear. The thing
is we can prove you innocent or guilty.
My girl Lucy saw my wife's assailant."
He motioned for the crowd Of men to
open up.
Somebody you. Sibert -go for
Lucy. That II settle this thing
Duane heard as a man in an ugly
dream. The faces around him, the hum
Of voices. all seemed far off. His life
hung by the merest thread. Yet he did
not think of that SO much as of the
brand of q woman murderer which
might be soon sealed upon him by
frightened. imaginative child.
The crowd trooped apart and closed
again. Duane caught blurred image
Of slight girl clinging to Sibert's
hand. He could not see distinctly.
Aiken lifted the child, whispered sooth-
fetched her closer to Duane.
Lucy, tell me. Did you ever see this
man before?" asked Aiken, huskily and
low. rs he the one-who came in the
house that day-struck you down-and
dragged mama"
Aiken's voice failed
A lightning flash seemed to clear
Duane's blurred sight. He saw pale,
sad face and violet eyes fixed in gloom
and horror upon his. No terrible mo-
ment in Duane's life ever eQualed this
one Of silence-of suspense.
ut amt him!" cried the child
Then Slbert was flinging the moose
Nff Nyxo ~ 11ar
bonds round his arms. The speilbound
crowd awoke to hoarse ordinations
See there. my locoed gents, how easy
you'd hang the wrong man." burst out
the cowboy, as he made the rope-end
hiss. "You-all are a lot Of wise rangers.
Haw! haw!"
He freed Duane and thrust the bone
handled gun back in Duane's holster.
You Abe, there. Reckon you pulled
a stunt! Be- don't try the like again
And, men, I'll gamble there's a hell Of
a lot Of bad work Buck Duanes named
for--which all he never done. Clear
away there Where's his boss? Duane,
the roads open out of Shirley
Sibert swept the gaping watchers
horse, which another cowboy held
Mechanically Duane mounted. felt
lift as he went up. Then the cowboys
hard face softened in a smile.
Il reckon it amt uncivil Of me to say
hit that road quick!" he said, frankly.
He led the horse out of the crowd.
Aiken joined him, and between them
they escorted Duane across the plaza.
The crowd appeared irresistibly drawn
to follow
Aiken paused with his big hand on
Duane's knee. In it, unconsciously
probably. he still held the gun.
Duane, word with you,'' he said.
Il believe you're not so black as you've
been painted. I wish there was time to
say more. Tell mo this, anyway Do
you know the Ranger Captain Mac
Nelly?"
4 do not" replied Duane, in surprise.
I met him only a week ago over in
went on Aiken, hurriedly.
He declared you never killed my wife,
didn't believe him-argued with him.
We almost had hard words over it,
Now-Tm sorry. The last thing he said
was: If you ever see Duane don't kill
him. Send him into my camp after
darkl He meant something strange.
What can't say. But he was right,
and I was wrong II Lucy had batted
an eye I'd have killed you Still, r
wouldn't advise you to hunt UP Mac
Nelly's camp. He's clever. Maybe he
believes there's no treachery In his
new ideas of ranger tactics. tell
You for all it's worth. Goodby. MAY
God help you further as he did this
day."
Duane said goodby and touched the
horse with his spurs
So long. Buck!" called Sibert with
that. frank smile breaking warmly over
brero high.