Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1916-12-21

"Leek at Me-straiaht in the Eye"
fortunate girl was experiencing birth
Of trust in him. Then the glow began
to fade; doubt once more assaiied her.
sit can't be. You're only-after me,
too, like Bland-like all Of them"
Duane's long arms went out and his
hands clasped her shoulders. He
shook her.
Look at me-straight in the eye.
There are decent men. Haven't you
father-a brother?"
nThey're dead-kiIled by raiders.
We lived In DiIamit County. l was
carried away" Jennie replied, hurried
". She put up an appealing hand to
him. Forgive me. / beiieve-I know
you're good. 1t was only live so
much in fear-I'm half crazy-Tve al
most forgotten what good men are like.
Ats,er Duane, you'll help met"
Yes, Jennie, I will. Tell me how.
What must do? Have you any plan7'
ooh no. But take me away"
an try" said Duane, simply. THAT
won't be easy, though. Are you watched
kept prisonerf"
mo. I could run OFF lots of times.
But was afraid. I'd only have fallen
into worse hands. Euchre has told
me that. Mrs. Bland beats me, half
staryes me, but she has kept me from
her husband and those other dogs.
She's been as good as that, and Tn
grateful. She hasn't Gone it for love
Of me, though. She always hated me.
And lately she's growing jealous.
hear her fighting with Bland about me.
Then I've heard Chess Alloway try
to persuade Bland to give me TO him.
Duane, you must be quick If you'd
save me-"
81 realize that" replied he, thought
fully. i think my difficulty will be to
fool Mrs. Bland. II she suspected me
she'd have the whole gang of outlaws
on me at once"
"She would that. You've got to be
carefu1-and quick"
"What kind Of q woman is she?''
inquired Duane.
"She's-she's brszen. I've heard her
with her lovers. They get drunk
sometimes when BANDS away. She's
get a terrible temper. She's vain.
She likes fattery. Oh, you could fool
her easy enough II you'd lower your
self Toto"
ITO make love to herr" interrupted
Duane.
Jennie braYely turned shamed eyes
to meet his.
MY girl, I'd do worse than that to
get you away from here" he said,
biuntly.
"But-Duane," abe faltered, and
again she put out the appealing hand.
BLAND will kill you."
Duane made no reply &c this. He
was trying to still rising strange
tumult In his breast. The old emotion
the rush of the instinct to kill! He
turned cold all over.
Chess AlloWay will kill you il
Bland doesn't" went on Jennie, with
her tragic eyes on Duane's.
Maybe he will replied Duane. 1t
was difficult for him to force smile.
But he achieved one.
sob. better take me off at once" she
said. Save me without risking so
bauch-w1tnout making love TO Mrs.
Biand."
Surely. If I can. There! I see
Euchre coming with q woman"
"That's her. Oh, she mustn't see
me with YOU
"Wait "A moment" whispered
Duane, az Jennie slipped indoors.
We've settled 1t. Don't forget. I'll
nnd some way to get word to you. per-
hapg through Euchre Meanwhile keeI
up your courage. Remember I'll save
You somehow, Wen try strategy first
Whatever you see or hear me do
don't think less OF me-
Jennie checked him with q gesture
and wonderful gray flash of eyes.
"Ill bless you with every drop OF
blood in nay heart" she whispered
passionately.
1t was only as she turned away into
the room that Duane saw she was
lame and that she wore Mexican
sandals over bare feet.
He sat down upon a bench on the
porch and directed his attention to
the spproa ching couple. The trees OF
the grove were thick enough for him
to make reasonably sure that Mrs.
Bland had not seen him talking to
Jennie. When the outlaws wife drew
near, the situation took on singular
zest.
Euchre came up on the porch and
swkvsrdiy introduced Duane to Mrs.
Bland She WIS young, probably not
over twenty-five, and net quite SO pre-
possessing at close range. Her eyes
were large. rather prominent, and
brown in color. Her mouth, too, was
large, with the lips full, and she had
WHITE teeth