The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-06-29

WORD TO her. What little Communication
he had with her was through Euchre,
who carried short messages But ne
caught glimpses OF her every time ne
went to the Bland house. She contrived
somehow to pass door or window, TO
| give him a look when chance afforded.
And Duane discovered with surprise
that these moments were more thrilling
! to him than any with Mrs. Bland. OFTEN
Duane knew Jennie was sitting just
inside the window, and then he felt in
spired In his talk. and IL was all made
for her. So at least she came to know
him while as yet she was almost q
| stranger. Jennie had been Instructed by
Euchre to listen, to understand that
this was Duane's only chance to help
keep her mind from constant worry, TO
gather the import of every word which
| had a double meaning.
Euchre said that the girl had begun
| to wither under the strain, to burn up
with intense hope which had famed
within her. But all the difference Duane
could see was a paler face and darker,
more wonderful eyes. The eyes seemed
to be entreating him to hurry, that time
was flying. that soon IL might be too
late. Then there was another meaning
in them, light strange fire wholly
inexplicible to Duane. II was only a
flash gone in an instant. But he re-
membersd II because he had never seen
IL In any other woman's eyes. And all
through those waiting days he knew
that Jennie's face. and especially the
warm, fleeing glance she gave him,
was responsible for a subtle and gra-
dual change in him. This change, he
fancied, was only that through remem-
brance Of her he got rid Of his pale,
sickening ghosts.
One day careless Mexican threw
lighted cigarette up into the brush
Il - III H. Co.
Benson's den. and there was fire
which left little more than the adobe
walls standing. The result was that
while repairs were being made there
was no gambling and drinking. Time
hung very heavily on the hands Of some
two score outlaws. Days passed by
without brawl and BANDS valley
saw more successive hours of peace
than ever before. Duane, however,
found the hours anything but empty.
He spent more time at Mrs. BANDS;
he walked miles on all the trails lead
ing out Of the valley; he had a care
for the condition OF his two horses.
Upon his return from the latest Of
these tramps, Euchre suggested that
they go down to the river to the boat
landing. a. ~. r. g..
Ferry couldn't run ashore this morn
in'," said Euchre. River gettin' low
an sand bars maxim 1t hard fer bosses.
There's a greaser freight wagon stuck
In the mud. I reckon we might hear
news from the freightsrs. BANDS sup
posed to be In Mexico" 80
Nearly all the outlaws in camp were
assembled on the river bank, lolling In
the shade Of the cottonwoods. The heat
was oppressive. Not an outlaw offered
to help the freighters, who were trying
to dig a heavily freighted wagon out Of
the quicksand. Few outlaws would
For "a a hQ
despised Mexicans.
Duane and Euchre Joined the lazy
group and sat down with them. Euchre
lighted black pipe, and, drawing his
hat over his eyes, lay back In comfort
after the manner of the majority Of the
Ing, thoughtful. He never missed any
thing. 1t was his belief that any mo-
ment an idle word might be Of benefit
to him. Moreover, these rough men
were always interesting.
"Bland's been chased acrost the riv-
err" said one. ... f..
NAV, he's deliverin' cattle to tibet
Cuban ship" replied another.
Big deal on, hey?"
Some big. Riggs says the boss he'd
an order fer $4,000"
Say, that order'll take a year to
hll." :. :.
Nav; Hardin is in cahoots with
ders bigger'n tibet"
wondered what Hardin was rustlin'
in here fer"
Duane could not possibly attend to
all the conversation among the out
laws. He endeavored to get the drift
of talk nearest to him.
kid Fuller's goin' to cash." said
sandy whiskered little outlaw.
$50 Jim was tellin' me. Blood poi
son, amt It? Tibet hole wasn't bad.
But he took the fever" rejoined COM
rade. ~. ..s.
through IL he he'd nursin'."
wal, Kate Bland amt nursin' any
shot up boys these days. She hasn't
go time" .Ea,
A laugh followed this sally; then
came a penetrating silence. Some of
the outlaws glanced good naturally at
Duane. They bore him no Ill will.
Manifestly they were aware Of Mrs,
BANDS tnfatuation.
"Pete, pears to me you've said tibet
before" 49,.
"Shore. Wal, it's happened before"
This remark drew louder laughter
and more significant glances at Duane.
He did not choose to ignore them any
longer.
Boys, poke all the fun you like at
me- but don't mention any lady's name
again. My hand is nervous and itchy
these days"
He smiled as he spoke, and his speech
was drawled, but the good humor in no
wise weakened Ii. Then his latter re-
mark was significant to a class Of men
who from inclination and necessity
practiced at gun drawing until they
wore callous and sore places on their
thumbs and inculcated In the very
deeps OF their nervous organization O
habit that made even the simplest and
most innocent motion Of the hand end
at or near the hip. There was some
thing remarkable about a gun fighters
hand. 1t never seemed to be gloved,
never to be injured, never out Of sight
or in an awkward position.
There were grizzled outlaws in that
group, some of whom had many
notches on their gun handles, and they,
with their comrades, accorded Duane
silence that carried conviction OF the
regard in which he was held.
Duane could not recall any other in
stance where he had let fall familiar
speech to these men, and certainly he
had never before limited of his posi-
biiities. He saw instantly that he could
not have done better. ...s
aOrfr1l hot ain't II 2" rama rlxed RiII