Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-12-23

no did NOT sleep. His mind bitterly ~
VOWED the fate that had come upon
him. He made EFFORTS 70 think Of ether
things, but In vain. Every moment he
expected the chill, the sense Of loneli-
ness that yet was omiAous Of Z strange
visitation, the peculiarly Imagined
lights and shades OF the n~isht-thess
things that presaged the coming Of Cal
Balm. Doggedly Duane fought against
the insidious phantom. He kept tell
Ing himself that It ri just imagina-''
ton, that 1t would wear on In time.
Stll in his heart he did no believe
what he hoped. But he would not give
up: he would not accept the ghost Of
his victim AZ q reality.
Gray dawn found him 4. the saddle
again, headed for the river. Half an
hour Of riding brought him to the
dense chaparral and willow thickets.
These he threaded to come 1t length
to the ford. Once upon the opposite
shore, he refined in his horse and
looked darkly back. This action
marked his acknowledgment Of his sit
uation: he, had voluntarily sought the
refuge OF the outlaws: he was beyond
the pale.
The trail led Into a road which was
hard packed and smooth from the
tracks of cattle. He doubted not that
he had come across one of the roads
used by border raiders. He headed
into a. ~uA had snorcnlv .~.tnI
mile when, turning a curve, he came
point-blank upon a single horseman
riding toward him. Both riders wheeled
their mounts sharply and were ready
to run and shoot back. Not more than
a hundred PAGES separated them. They
stood then for a moment watching
each other.
"Mawnin'. stranger" called the man,
dropping his gun to his hip.
"Howdy." replied Duane shortly.
They rode toward each other. clos
ing half the gap. then they halted
again.
II seen you amt no ranger" called
the rider. IAN shore I amt none"
He laughed loudly, as II he had
mHue u joke.
How'd you know I wasn't a
ranger?'' asked Duane curiously. Some
how he had instantly OWNED that this
horseman was no officer, or ven
rancher trailing stolen stock.
"Wal." said the fellow, starting his
horse forward at a walk. "a ranger'd
never git ready to run the other way
from one man."
He laughed again. He was small .
and wiry. islouchy Of attire, and armed
j 70 the teeth, and he bestrode a fine
bay horse. He had quick. dancing
i brown eyes, ut once frank and bold.
and q coarse, bronzed face. Evidently
he was q goodfnatured rufiian.
Duane acknowledged the truth OF
the assertion, and turned over in his
mind how shrewdly the fellow had
guessed him to be q hunted nan
MY names Luke Stevens, an I hail
from the river. Who're your said
this stranger.
Duane was silent.
II reckon you're Buck Duane" went
on Stevens. II heerd you was . bad
man with q gun"
b time Duane laughed, NOT at the
doubtful compliment. but at the idea
.nal ins me. ou'i. ne s' sllvu
Nn 49,
on the Tins Dulu1.
~. !. 1uIA' s = 5000 !. Z.
iE'enu.s AaAnncis nnn Ix,s
!ou. I1ue =. son ri -.
49, rcm.. 9
s.op ione
u..e : ,-
out SUI
"yseii, au
heen pusnin your hoss' I Bee. "ai'
! reckon better stock up OeIore
you MT met stretcn o. country.
He made . vide sweep OF nis rish.
arm, indicating the soutn"est, anu
there was tina IN ms acuon wmea
seemed Significant OF q vast ana DAT
~ren-region.
stock up?" queried Duane, housit
fuliy.
ashore. A felier n Jest got TO ear.
l can rustic along without whisky, Dul
not without grub. Thet's what make
1t 20 emDarrassln traSelin these pitts
dodgin' your shadow. Now. I'm on my
way to Mercer. It's 2 little two-bit
town up the river a ways. I'm sohl
to pack out some grub"
Stevens tone wa Inviting. Evident
~ he would welcome Duane's compan
ionship. but he did not openly say go.