The Ozark spectator., 1916-09-23
was q criminal in sight of Texas law ; he too, was an outcast.
CHAPTER VI.

| that the trouble with him probabl! was that he could not resign himself to his fate. He cared vastly more, he discovered, for what he considered | honor and integrity than he did foi life. He saw that it was bad for him l to be alone. But, it appeared, lonely months and perhaps years inevitably must be his.
 Another thing puzzled him. In the bright light of day he could not recall the state of mind that was his al twilight or dusk or in the dark night By day these visitations became, to him what they really were-phantoms of his conscience He could dismiss the thought of them then. He could scarcely remember or believe that this strange feat of fancy or imagination had troubled him, made him sleepless and sick.
 At length he determined to create ] interest in all that he came across and so forget himself as much as pos sible. He had an opportunity now to ! see just what the outlaws life really was. He meant to force himself to be curious, sympathetic, clear-sighted | And he would stay there in the valley until it's possibilities had been eX- l hauSted or until circumstances sent him out upon his uncertain way. When he returned to the shack Euchre was cooking dinner.
 Say, Buck. I've news for you" he said and his tone conveyed either pride in his possession of such news or pride in Duane. "Feller named Bradley rode in this mornin'. He's heard some about you. Told about the ace of spades they put over the bullet-holes in thet cowpuncher Bain you plugged. Then there was a ranch CT shot at water-hole twenty miles south of WellSton. Reckon you didn't do it?'
 "No. certainly did not" replied Duane.
 "Wal, you get the blame. It ain't nothing for feller to be saddled with gun-plays he never made. An, Buck, if you ever get famous, as seems like ly. you'll he blamed for many crime. The border II make an outlaw an murderer out of you. Wal, thet's enough of thet. I've more news. You're goin' to be popular"
 Popular? What do you meanT
 q met Bland's wife this mornin'. She seen you the other day when you rode in. She shore wants to meet you, an so do some of the other women in camp. They always want to meet the new fellers who've just come in. It's lonesome for women here, an they like to hear news from the towns"
 Well Euchre, I don't want to be impolite, but I'd rather not meet any women" rejoined Duane.
 "I was afraid you wouldn't. Don't blame you much. Women are hell. l was hopin', though, you might talk a little to thet poor lonesome kid"
 What kid?" inquired Duane, in sur prise,
 Didn't tell you about Jennie-the girl Bland's holdin' here?"
 "No. Tell me now" replied Duane, abruptly.
 "Wal, got 1t this way. Mebbe it's straight, an mebbe 1t ain't. Some years ago Benson made n trip over the river to buy mescal an other drinks. An he run across n gang of greasers with some gringo prisoners. l don't know, but I reckon there was some barterin, perhaps murderin'. Any way, Benson fetched the girl back. She was starved an scared half to death. She hadn't been harmed. l reckon she was then about fourteen years old. Bland seen the kid right off and took her-bought her from Benson. You can gamble Bland didn t do thet from notions of chlvalry. Kate Blands been hard on Jennie, but she's kept Bland an the other men from treating the kid shameful. Late Jennie has grown into an all-flred pretty girl, an Kate is powerful jeal- ous of her. I can see hell brewin' over there in Blands cabin. Thets why I wish you'd come over with me. You'd get to see Jennie, an mebbe you could help her. I had baby girl once, an if she'd lived she'd be as big as Jennie now. an wouldn't want her here in Bland's camp"
 ''Tll go Euchre. Take me over" re- piled Duane. He felt Euchre's eyes upon him The old outlaw, however, had no more to say.
 In the afternoon Euchre set off with Duane, and soon they reached Bland's cabin. Duane remembered 1t as the one where he had seen the pretty wo- man watching him ride by. Through the open door Duane caught glimpse of bright Mexican blankets and rugs.