The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-07-20
CHAPTER XII.

CHAPTER XII
After nearly six months in the.
Nueces gorge the loneliness and mac
ton OF his life drove Duane out upon
the trails seeking anything rather than'
to hide longer alone, prey to tho
scourage Of his thoughts. The moment
he rode into sight Of men remarkable
transformation occurred In him:
strange warmth stirred in him--a long
ing to see the faces Of people. to hear.
their voices-a pleasurable emotion
sad and strange. But 1t was only q
precursor Of his old bitter, sleepiess,
and eternal vigilance. When no hid
alone in the brakes he was safe from
all except his deeper, better self; when
Of men his force and will went to the
preservation Of his life.
Mercer was the first village he rode
into. He had many friends there. Mer-'
Ger claimed to owe Duane a debt On
the outskirts OF the village there was q
grave overgrown by brush so that the
rude lettered post which marked 1t was,
scarcely visible to Duane as he rode
by. He had never read the inscription.
But he thought now Of Hardin. no
other than the ertswhile ally Of Bland.
For many years Hardin had harasseG
the stockmen and ranchers in and
around Mercer. On an evil day for him
bed a man who once succored Duane
when sore in need. Duane met Hardin
in the little plaza Of the village, called
him every name known to border men,
taunted him to draw, and killed him
in the act.
Duane went to the house Of one
Jones, a Texan who had known his
father, and there he was warmly re-
ceived. The feel Of an honest hand, the
voice Of q friend. the prattle Of children
who were not afraid Of him or his gun.
good wholesome food. and change OF
clothes-these things for the time be-
ing made a changed man Of Duane. TO
be sure, he did not often speak. The
price Of his head and the weight of his
burden made him silent. But eagerly
he drank in all the news that was told
him. In the years OF his absence from,
home he had never heard a word about
his mother or uncle. Those who were
his real friends on the border would
have been the last to make inquiries,
to write or receive letters that might
give a clue to Duane's whereabouts.
Duane remained all day with this
hospitable Jones, and as twilight fell
was loath to go and yielded to q press
ing invitation to remain overnight. It
was seldom indeed that Duane slept
under a roof. Early in the evening.
while Duane sat on the porch with two
awed and hero worshiping sons Of the
house, Jones returned from q quick
visit down to the postoffice. SummarI
lily he sent the boys off. He labored
under intense excitement.
Duane, there's rangers In town." he
whispered. It's all over town, too, that
you're here. You rode in long arten
sunup. Lots Of people SAN you. don't
believe there's q man or boy that d
squeal on you. But the women might,
They gossip, and these rangers are
handsome fellows-devils with the
women"
What company of rangers?" asked
Duane, quietly.
Company A, under Captain Mao,
Nelly, that new ranger. He made a BID
name in the war. And since he's been
in the ranger service he's done won-
ders. He's cleaned up some bad places
| south, and he's working north"
"MacNelly. I've heard Of him. De-
scribe him to me-" ..
Slight built chap. but wirv and
tough. Clean face. black moestacha
and hair. Sharp black eyes. He's got
a look of authority. MacNelly's a fine
man, Duane. Belongs to q good south
ern family. I'd hate to have him look
you up"
Duane did not speak.
"MacNellys got nerve, and his
rangers are all experienced men. II
they find out you're here theyli como
after you. MacNelly's no gun fighter,
| but he wouldn't hesitate to do hia duty,
even II he faced sure death. Which he
would In this case. Duane. you nausn't
Is clean, II It 10 terrible. You never
met a ranger or any officer except a
rotten sheriff now and then. like Rod
| Brown" :
Still Duane kept silence He was not
thinking Of danger, but OF the fact of
how fiesting must be his stay among
| friends.
1--WE already fixed up a pack on
grub" went on Jones. I'm slip out I'd
saddle your horse. You watch here"
He had scarcely uttered the last
words when soft, swift footsteps
sounded on the hard path. A man
turned in at the gate. The light was
dim. yet clean enough to disclose an
unusually tall figure. When 1t appeared
nearer he was seen to be walking with
both arms raised, bands high. He
slowed his stride.
Does Burt Jones live here?" he
asked, In q low. hurried voice.
Il reckon. I'm Burt. What can 7 do
for your" replied Jones.
The stranger peered around, stealth,
| lily came closer, still with his hands nm.
TT 10 known that Buckle Duane In
here. Captain MacNelly's camping on
| the river just out OF town. He sends
word to Duane to come out there after
dark" .s....-
The stranger wheeled and departed an
| swiftly and strangely az he had come.
bust mel Duane, whatever do you
mako OF that?" exclaimed Jones.
"A new one on me-" replied Duane.
thoughtfully. IT 80 -
First fool thing I ever heard Of Mao
Melting doing. Can't mako head nor,
tails OF It. I'd have said offhand that.
MacNelly wouldn't double cross any
body. He struck me as a square man
sand all through. But, hell he musS;
mean treachery. I can't see anything
else In that deal" a3pf
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