The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1916-06-08

horse. He had quick, dancing brown
eyes. at once franz and bold, and a
coarse, bronze face. Evidently he was a
good natured %ruffian.
Duane acknowledged the truth OF the
assertion, and urned over in his mind
how skrewdly the fellow had guessed
him to be a hunted man.
My names Luke Stevens, an / hail
from the river. Who're your" said this
stranger.
Duane was silent.
I reckon you're Buck Duane" went
on Stevens. Il heerd you was a damn
bad man with a gun
time Duane laughed, not at the
III compliment, but at the idea
that the first outlaw he met should
know him. Here was proof Of how
s"lIIy facts about gun play travelled
on the Texas border.
Wal, Buck said Stevens, in a
friendly manner, Il amt %presumin' on
your time or company. 1 see you,re
headin' fer the river. But will YOU stop
long enough to stake a Teller to a bite
Of grub?"
myself" admitted Duane.
Been pushin' your boss, see. We'll.
l reckon you'd better stock UP before
you MT thet stretch Of country"
he made a wide sweep of his right
arm, indicating the southwest, and
vas .Iat N MS aCtlOn which
seemed significant of a vast and bar
rem region.
Stock up?" queried Duane, thousht-
fully.
Shore. A Teller has jest got to eat,
a rustic along without whisky. but
not without grub. Thet's what makes
1t so embarrassing travelin' these parts
dodgin' your shadow. Now. Pm on nv
way to Mercer. It's a little two-bit
town up the river a ways. I'm goin'
to pack out some grub"
tone was inviting. Evidently
ne Would welcome Duane's companion
ship, but he did not openly saw 81
Duane kept silence, however, and then
Stevens went on.
stranger. In this here country two's
a croWd. It's safer. / i never was much
IN TINS lone-wolf dodgin', though I'ya
lone 1t of necessity. It takes a damn
epoa man to travel alone any length
was Jest achin' fer some ranger to
come along n plug me. Give ma =
pardner any day. Now, mebbe vn1l,re
not tHet Kind OF a Teller, an Pm shore
not presumin' to- ask. But / lest de-
cia ares myself sufficient"
you?" asked Duane. ~
~ grlnned Wal, / should smile.
Ia De particular proud to be braced
VIII ma or your reputation"
zee mere, my good fellow, that's all
haste. soiiie
Shore, I think modesty becomin, 70
q youngster," replied Stevens. II hate
70 Drag. An I've no use fer these fo,1r.
iluSn COWBOYS tibet are ALWAYS lookin,
Ter an talkin' gun play. Buck.
! don't know much about O But ev.
cry man who's lived along the TEXAS
porder remembers a lot about your dad,
1T was expected of Won ranLon -,
much Of your rep was established he
l9re you throwed your gun I Jest heerd
met you was lightnin' on the draw. an
When you cut loose with a gun why the
ngger on the ace of spades would cover
your custer of bullet holes. Thet's
ne Wora thets gone down the border.
It's me KIND OF reputation most sure TO
Ely far an swift ahead of a.man in this
country An the safest, toe; I'll gam
pie on the It's the land OF the draw.
see now you're only a boy. though
you're shore %strappin' husky one. Now
BUCK, I'm not 2 spring chicken, an rye
been long on the dodge. Mebbe a littIe
Of my society won't hurt YOU none.
Ioull need to learn the country"
Inere was something sincere and lfk-
able about this outlaw.
! dare say you're right replied Dn-
ane, quietly. And I'll go to Mercer
Next moment he was riding down the
road with Stevens. Duane had never,
been much OF a talker, and now he
found speech difficult. But his com
panion did not seem to mind that. He
was a jocose. voluble fellow, probably
glad now to hear the sound Of his own
voice. Duane listened, and sometimes
ne thought with d pang Of the distinc-
ton Of name n heritage of blood his
father had left to him.