The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1916-12-21

4
} proved. An In some cases when they
taIked-hinted a little-they was
! found dead. Apparently held up an
robbed. But dead. Dead men don't
talk Thet's why were close
moufhed."
The ranger was about TO speak
again when the clatter Of hoofs In
terrupted him. Horses halted out
in front. and one rider got down
Floyd Lawson entered He called for
tobacco
II his visit surprised Laramie he
did not show any evidence. But Law
son showed rage as be saw the ranger.
and then dark CLINT fitted from the
eyes that shifted from Duane TO
Laramie and hack again. Duane
ieaned easily against the counter.
Say. that was bad break OF
| yours" Lawson said IF you come
fo0iinS around the ranch again
I therein be he'll"
II seemed strange that a man who
had lived vest Of the PecOs for ten
years could not see In Duane some
thing which forbade that kind OF talk
| Il certainly was not nerve Lawson
! showed men OF courage were seldom
intOleranL With the mutchiess nerve
thar characterized the great gunner
Of the day there was a cool, unob
trusiye manner, a speech brief. almost
gentle. certainly courteous. Lawson
was hot-headed Louisianian OF
French extraction: a man. evidently.
who had never been crossed in any
thing, and who was strong. brutal,
passionate. which qualities in the face
Of a situation Ike this made him
simply a fool.
You're right But not the kind
you think" Duane retorted. his voice
sharp and cold.
Ray Longstreth wouldn't stoop to
know dirty bIood-tracker like you,
said Lawson hotly. He did not seem
to have a deliberate intention 10 rouse
Dune; the man was simply rRncOr-
Gus, Jealous. I'm call you right.
You cheap bluffer You four-hush
You damned interfering, concelted |
ranger -
Lawson, I'll not take ofrense. be-
cause you seem to be champiOning |
your beautiful cousin" replied Duane, |
in slow speech. But let me return
your compliment. You're fine South
erner Why, you're only q four-flush-
n cheap bull-headed rustlerl"
Duane Kissed the last word. Then
for him there was the truth in Law
sons working passion-blackened face.
Lawson jerked, moved, meant to
draw. But how Slow Duane lunged
His long arm swept up.
And Lawson staggered backward,
table and chairs, to fall
hard, In half-sitting posture against
he wall.
Don't drawn warned Duane.
Lawson, git away from your gun! p
Yelled Laramie.
But Lawson was crazed with fury.
lie tugged at his hip, his face corded
With purple welts, malignant, murder
,us. Duane kicked the gun out of
lis hand. Lawson got up, raging, and
'ushed out.
Laramie lifted his shaking hands.
WHAT d you wing him for?" he
vailed. "He was DRAWN on you. {
iickin men like him won't do out
lere." :
That bull-headed fool will roar and :
utt himself with all his gang right '
nto our hands, He's just the man I
We needed to meet" [
"If Lawson's the man you think he 7
3 hen begin thet secret underground t
uslness. Why, Lawson won't sleep of r
lights now. He an Longstreth have
ways been after me-" +
Laramie, what are your eyes forT q
emanded Duane. watch out. And n
ow here. See your friend Morton. r
ell him this game grows hot To v
ether you approach four or FIVE men h
on know well and can absolutely
'ust. may need your help"
Then Duane went from place to
lace, corner to corner, bar to bar,
listening, recording. The F
UCitemeut had preceded him, and
DeculatiOn was rife. He thought
est to keep out of 1t. After dark
Q stole up to Longstreth's ranch.
he evening was warm; the doors a
ere open; and In the twilight the Il
lly lamps that had been lit were In II
ongstreth's big sIttingroom, at the Il
n end of the house. When u buck c,
Iard drove up and LongStreth and &c
iwson ailghted Duane was well II
a Il In In hYFg Oh |
at he could get but heeting II
impse OF LouEstreth as he went In. m
pr all Duane could see he appeared st
be calm and quiet man, intense m
meath the surface, with an air OF te
guity under insult Duane's chance ON
observe Lawson was lost. They or
ant into the house without speaking in
ID closed the door. ar
AZ the other end OF the porch, close sit
der a window, was an offset be- IN
zen step and wall and there In
e shadow Duane hid. So Duane IN
llted there Ia the darkness with ~
liencc born Of many hours Of hid de
Presently lamp was lit: and Ct,
Zane heard the swish OF skirts. an
Something's happened surely sp
lth." he henrd Miss Longstreth say In,
NlouSly. Papa just met me In 70,
. hull and didn't speak. He seemed do
lc, worried" ~.
Cousin Floyd looked like n co,
said Ruth. "For once an
dldnt try to Kiss me. Something's ne
opened" in,
oh dear Ruth, what can we dot It