The Huttig news., 1916-11-04
CHAPTER XVII.

I mountains he had noted yesterday, and to the right sloped the mesquite patched sweep of ridge and fiat. ThS l driver pushed his team 10 fast trot. i which gait surely covered ground rapidly.
 Early in the afternoon from ridge l top Duane sighted Fardalc. green patch in the mass of gray. For the harrens of Texas it was indeed a fair sight. But he was more concerned with it's remoteness from civilization than it's beauty. At that time, in the early seventies, when the vast western third of Texas was wilderness. the pioneer had done wonders to settle there and establish places like Fair dale.
 It needed only glance for Duane to pick out Colonel LongStreth's ranch. The house. not more than a few min uteS' walk from the edge of the town. was low fatroofed structure made of red adobe bricks. All was green about it, except where the fenced corral and numerous barns or sheds showed gray and red.
 From all outside appearances Fair dale was no different from other frontier towns, and Duanes expecta tions were scarcely realized. As the afternoon was waning he halted it a little inn. X boy took charge of his horse. Duane questioned the lad about Fairdale and gradually drew to the subject most in mind.
 Colonel Longstreth has big out fit, eh?"
 Reckon he has" replied the lad. "Doan know how many cowboys. They're always comin' and goin'. I aint acquainted with half of them
 Much movement of stock these days?"
 Stocks always movin'," hr re- piled, with queer look.
 'Rustlers?"
 But he did not follow up that look with the affirmative Duane expected.
 Lively place, l hear-Fairdale is?"
 "Ain't so lively as Sanderson. but it's bigger.
 stYes. l heard if waS. Fellow down there was talking about two cowboys who were arrested"
 Sure. I heered all about that Joe Bean mn Brick Higgins-they be long heah. but they ain't heah much. Longstreth's boys"
 Duane did not want to be over-in- quisitive, so he turned the talk into other channels.
 After getting supper Duane stroiled up and down the main street. When darkness set in he went into a hotel. bought cigars, sat around, and watch ed. Then he passed out and went into the next place. It was full of men coming and gOing-a dusty-boot- cd crowd that Smelled of horses and smoke. Duane sat down for a while, with wide eyes and open ears. Then he hunted up the bar He stayed in there for q while. and knew that strangers were too common in Fair i dale to he conspicuous. Then he returned 10 the inn where he had engaged a room.
 Duane sat down on the steps of the dingy little restaurant. Two men were converSing inside, and they had Hot noticed Duane.
 Laramie. what's the strangers name?" asked one.
 He didn't say" replied the other.
 "Sure was strappin' hic man. i Struck mo a little odd. he did. No cattleman, him. How'd you size him?'
 Well. like one of them cool, easy, quiet Texans who's been loollin' for a man for years-to kill him when he found him.
 Right you are, Laramie: and, be- tween you an me. I hope he's lookin' for Long"
 Ssh" interrupted Laramie. "You must be half drunk, to go talkin' that way"
 Thereafter they conversed in too low a tone fer Duane to hear, and presently Laramie's visitor left. Duane went inside, and, making himself agreeable, began to ask casual questions about Fairdale. Laramie was not communi i eative.
 Duane went to his room in thoughtful frame of mind There was something wrong about the mayor of Fairdale. The innkeeper Laramie would be worth cultivating And last in Duane's thoughts that night was Miss Longstreth. He could not help thinking of her-how strangely l the meeting with her had affected him. Ii made him remember that long-past time when girls had been part of his life. He had no right even to dream of Il beautiful woman like Ray Longstreth.
 Several days passed. Duane did not succeed in getting any closer to Laramie, but he found the idlers on the corners and in front of the stores unsusplcious and willing to talk. II did not take him long to find out that Fairdale stood parallel with Hunts vile for gambling, drinking. and fight ing. The street was always lined with dusty, Saddled horses, the town full af Nopau onnaapn1 p,Ara