The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1916-06-22

She's been hard on Jennie, but she's
kept Bland an the other men from
treatin' the kid shameful. Late. Jennie
has growed into an all fired pretty girl,
an kate is powerful Jealous of her. !
can see hell brewin' over there in
BANDS cabin. Thets why 1 wish you'd
come over with me. BANDS hardly ever
home. His wife's invited you. Shore.
II she gets sweet on you, as she has
M Wal, thet'd complicate matters.
But YOU get to see Jennie, an mebbe
you could help her. Mind, L amt hint
in nothin'; I'm Just wantin' to put her
in your way. You're a man an can
think fer yourself. l had a baby girl
once an, if she'd lived. she'd be as big
as Jennie now an by heaven, / wouldn't
want her here in BANDS camp"
III so, Euchre. Take me over" re-
piled Duane. He felt Euchre's eyes up
on him. The old outlaw. however. had
( no more to say.
In the afternoon. Euchre set off with
Duane, and soon they reached BANDS
cabin. Duane remembered it as the
one where he had seen the pretty wom-
an watching him ride by. He could
not recall what she looked like. The
cabin was the same as the other adobe
structures in the valley. but it was
larger and pleasantly located rather
high up in q grove of cottonwoods. In
the windows and upon the porch We're
tN iNtlLNtS VI Il "oiiltil > III L "a ouSl
the open door Duane caught Il glimpse
of bright Mexican blankets and rugs.
Euchre knocked upon the side of the
door.
is that you, Euchre?' asked a girls
voice, low, hesitatin@ly. The tone of it,
rather deep and with a note of fear,
struck Duane. He wondered what she
would be like.
Yes, its me. Jennie Where's Mrs.
Bland"" answered Euchre.
she Went over to Deger's. There's
somebody sick" replied the girl.
Euchre turned and whispered m
thing about luck. The snap of the
outlaws eyes was added significance
TO Duane.
Jennie, come out, or let US come in.
Here's the young man l vas tellin' you
about" Euchre said.
"0h, I can't. l look $685.
Never mind now you look" inter-
amt no time to care fer thet. Here's
young Duane. Jennie, he's no rustler,
no thief. He's different. Come out,
Jennie, an mebbe he'll"
Euchre did not complete his sen
tence. He had spoken low, with his
glance shifting from side to side.
But what he said was sufficient to
bring the girl quickly. She appeared
in the doorway with downcast eyes and
a stain of red in her white cheek. She
had q rretty. sad face and bright hair.
Don't be bashful, Jennie" a Eu-
chre. You an Duane have a chance
to talk a little. Now. I'll go fetch Mrs.
Bland, but 1 won't be %hurryin'."
With that Euchre Went away through
the cottonwoods.
I'm glad to meet you, Miss-Miss
Jennie said Duane. "Euchre didn't
mention your last name. He asked me
to come I'VE to"
Tn,,a =, -, ,1-, - ,1o~ -. l,-1tal
short when Jennie lifted her lashes to
look at him. Some kind of a shock
went through Duane. Her gray eyes
were beautiful, but it a not been
beauty that cut short his speech. He
seemed to see q tragic struggle between
hope and doubt that shone in her pierre
ing gaze. She kept looking, n Duane
could not break the silence. 1t was
no ordinary moment.
What did you come here for"' she
asked, at last.
TO see yoa," replied Duane, glad to
speak.
"Wel-Euchre thought-he wanted
me TO talk to you, cheer you up a Bit
rcTlied Duane. somewhat lamely. The
earnest eyes embarrassed Rim.
"Erchre's good. He's the only per-
sen in this awkward place who's been
good 10 me. But he's afraid of Bland.
g. * 'F4it Sod |ft.'. t4iIti ~ no LIZ
you?"
7,.eDe told her.
% not a roDDer or rustler or
nrl~Ferer or some lad nan ono here
70 ii'e?"
No. Tn not" sail Duane. trying to
slrilo.
"Titcn why are YOU here?'
Tn on the dodge. You know what
that means. ] got in q Shooting scrape
at home ana had 10 run off. When it
blows over l hone tn SO back"
"Hut yo1 can't be honest here?'
Yes. 7 can.
oh, ] know what these outlaws are.
Yes. you're different" Size kept the
strained gaze upon him. but hope was
kindltnp. and the hard lines of her
youthful face were ~softening.
Something sweet and warm stirred
deep in Duane as he realized the un-
fortunate girl was experiencing a birth
of trust in him.
20, God! Maybe you're the MAJ to
save me-to take me away before it's
too late"
Dnane's spirit leaped.
Maybe ] am" he replied. instantly
She seemed to check a blind impulse
famed, her lips quivered, her bosom
swelled under her ragged dress. Their
the glow began to fade; doubt once
more assailed her.
1T cam be. You're only-after me
too, like Bland-like all OF them"
Duane's long arms went out and hi:
hands clasped her shoulders. He shook
her.
Look at me-straight in the eye
There are decent men. Haven't you
a father-a brother?'
They're dead-killed by raiders. We
lived in Dimmit county. ! was carried
away" Jennie replied, hurriedly. She
put up an appealing hand to him. For.
give me. / believe-I know you're
good. 1t was only-I live so much ii
fear-I'm half ~crazy--I've almost for.
gotten what good men are like. Mister
Duane, you'll help me-"
yes, Jennie, l will. Tell me how
What must / do? Have you any plan?'
ooh no. But take me away"
TN try" said Duane simply. "Tha'
won't be easy, though. I must have
time to think. You must help me
There are many things to consider
Horses. food. trails, and then the bes'
time to make the attempt. Are yol
w~atched-kept prisoner"
INC. / could have run off lots O
times. But l was afraid. I'd onl,
have fallen into worse hands. Euchr,
a I~- IL - L. 49, NE--MA - 1--I