The Benson signal., 1916-12-16
CHAPTER xVII-continued.

CHAPTER XVlI-Continued.
Miss Longstreth rose white as her
dress. The young women present
stared in astonishment, if they were
not equally perturbed. There were
cowboys present who suddenly grew
intent and still. By these things
Duane gathered that his appearance
must be disconcerting. He was pant
ing. He wore no hat or coat. His
big gunsheath showed plainly at his
hip.
Sight of Miss Longstreth had an
unaccountable effect upon Duane. He
was plunged into confusion. For the
moment he saw no one but her.
<sMiss Longstreth Il came TO
search-your house." painted Duane.
Search my house!" exclaimed Miss
Longstreth; and red succeeded the
white in her cheeks. She appeared
astonished and angry. ''What for?
Why, how dare you! This is un-
warrantable!"
"a man-Bo Snecker-assaulted
and robbed Jim Laramie" replied
Duane, hurriedly. 81 chased Snecker
here-saw him run into this house."
"Here? Oh, sir, you must be mis-
taken. We have seen no one. In the
absence of my father I'm mistress
here. I'll not permit you to search"
Lawson appeared to come out of his
astonishment. He stepped forward.
cray, don't be bothered now," he
said, to his cousin. ''This fellows
making a bluff. I'll settle him. See
here, mister, you clear QUIT"
ST want Snecker. He's here, and
I'm going to get him." replied Duane,
quietly.
"Bah! That's all bluff" sneered
Lawson. "I'm on to your game. You
Just wanted an excuse to break in
hereto see my cousin again. When
you saw the company you invented
that excuse. Now, be off, or it III be
the worse for you"
Duane felt his face burn with a
tide of hot blood. Almost he felt
that he was guilty of such motive.
Had he not been unable to put this
Ray Longstreth out of his mind?
There seemed to be scorn in her eyes
now. And somehow that checked his
embarrassment.
s'Atiss Longstreth, will you let me
search the house?" he asked.
s'NO."
"Then-I regret to say-IH do so
without your permission"
You'll not dare!" she flashed. She
stood erect, her bosom swelling.
Pardon me-yes will"
"Who are you?" she demanded, sud-
denly.
"Tm Texas Ranger" replied
Duane.
"a Texas Ranger!" she echoed.
Floyd Lawson's dark face turned
Lale.
Miss Longstreth, don't need war
rants to search houses" said Duane.
'1rm sorry to annoy you. I'd prefer
to have your permission. A ruffian
has taken refuge herein your
fathers house. He's hidden some
where May look for him?"
eff you are indeed ranger"
Duane produced his papers. Miss
Iongstreth haughtily refused to look
at them.
'Miss Longstreth, I've come to
make Fairdale safer, cleaner, better
place for women and children. I don't
wonder at your resentment. But to
doubt me-insult me. Some day you
may be sorry"
Floyd Lawson made violent mo-
tion with his hands.
sAll stuff! Cousin. go on with your
party. I'll take a couple Of cowboys
and go with this-this Texas Ranger
Thanks" said Duane coolly, as he
eyed Lawson. ''Perhaps you'll be able
to find Snecker quicker than I could
ssWhat do you meanw demanded
Lawson, and now he grew livid. Evi
IDENTIFY he was a man of quick pas
siOns.
"Don't quarrel" said Miss Long
streth. "Floyd you go with him
Please hurry. I'll be nervous till
the mans found or you're sure there:
not one."
They started with several cowboys tt
search the house. 1t struck DUANE
more than forcibly that Lawson triet
to keep in the lead. 1t was Duane wh'
peered into a dark corner and then
with a gun leveled, said "Come out !
He came forth into the f1are-a tall
slim, dark-faced youth, wearing som
brero, blouse and trousers. Duan
collared him before any of the other
could move and held the gun clos
enough to make him shrink. 81
Aanorod into nuanaS face then int