The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-08-10

Then for the first time the drawn
faced. hungry-eyed giant turned Ms
| gaze upon Duane. He had intelligence
which was not yet subservient 10 pas
sion. Moreover, he seemed the Kind OF
man Duane would care to have judge
him in critical moment like this.
Listen" said Duane, gravely, with
his eyes steady on Aiken's, I'm BUCK
Duane. I never lied to any man in my
| life. / was forced into outlawry. I've
never had chance to leave the coun-
try. I've killed men to save my own
| life. / never Intentionally harmed any
| woman. / rode 80 miles today--deliber-
| ately to see what this reward was, VINO
| made II, what for. When / read the
placard I went sick to the bottom OIL
my soul. So rode in here TO find you
Ito tell you this: / never saw Shlr-
| ley before today. 1t was Impossible
for me to have-killed your wife. Last
| September l was 200 miles north OF
here on the upper Nueces. / can prove
| that. Men who know me will tell you
l couldn't murder a woman. / haven
any idea why such a deed should be
laid at my hands. It's just that wild
border gossip. have no idea what rea-
sons you have for holding me respon-
| sible. / only know-you're wrong
| You've been deceived. And see here
Aiken. You understand I'm a miserable
man. I'm about broken, guess. I don't
care any more for life, or anything. II
you can't look me In the eyes, man 10
man., and believe what say-why, by
God! you can kill mel"
Aiken heaved a great breath.
Buck Duane, whether I'm impressed
or not by what you say needn't matter
You've had ,accusers, justly or un-
Justly, as will soon appear. The thing
is we can prove you innocent or guilty
My girl Lucy saw my wife's assailant.
He motioned for the crowd OF men to
open up.
Somebody you, Sibert go fol
Lucy. That III settle this thing"
Duane heard as q man in an ugly
dream. The faces around him, the hum
OF voices. all seemed far off. His life
hung by the merest thread. Yet he did
not think OF that so much as OF the
brand Of a woman murderer which
might be soon sealed upon him by a
frightened. imaginative child.
The crowd trooped spart and closeo
again. Duane caught blurred image
OF a slight girl clinging to Sibert's
hand. He could not see distinctly
Aiken lifted the child, whispered sooth-
ingly to her not to be afraid. Then, he
fetched her closer to Duane.
Lucy, tell me. Did you ever see this
low. 'Ts he the one-who came in the
house that daY-struck you down--and
dragged mama"
Aiken's voice failed.
A lightning flash seemed to clear
Duanes blurred sight. He saw a pale
sad face and violet eyes fixed In gloom
and horror upon his. No terrible mo-
ment in Duane's life ever equaled this
one Of silence-of suspense.
at amt hint" cried the child.
Then Sibert was flinging the moose
or Duane's neck and unwinding tho
bonds round his arms. The spellbounc
crowd awoke to hoarse EXPLANATIONS
Sec there, my locoed gents. how easy
you'd hang the wrong man." burst out
the cowboy, as he made the rope-eno
hiss. "You-all are lot Of wise rangers
Hawl haw!"
He freed Duane and thrust the bone
handled gun back in Duane's holster.
"v~.l Abe, there. Reckon you pulled
a stunt! But don't try the like again
And, men, I'll gamble there's hell OF
a lot of bad work Buck Duane's named
away there. Where's his boss? Duane
the roads open out Of Shirley"
Sibert swept the gaping watchers
aside and pressed Duane toward the
horse, which another cowboy held
Mechanically Duane mounted, felt q
lift as he went up. Then the cowboys
hard face softened in a smile.
81 reckon 1t amt uncivil of me to say
hit that road quickl" he said, frankly
He led the horse out Of the crowd
Aiken Joined him, and between them
they escorted Duane across the plaza
The crowd appeared irresistibly drawn
to follow.
Aiken paused with his big hand on
Duanes knee. In 1t, uuconsciously
probably, he still held the gun.
Duane, a word with you," he said
IL believe you're not so black as you've
been painted. wish there was time to
say more. Tell me this, anyway. Dc
you know the Ranger Captain Mac
Nelly?"
II do not" replied Duane, in surprise
81 met him only a week ago over In
Fairfield" went on Aiken, hurriedly
He declared you never killed my wife
I didn't believe him-argued with him
We almost had hard words over 1t
Now-Tm sorry. The last thing he said
was: If you ever see Duane don't Kill
him. Send him into my camp after
dark!' He meant something strange
WHAT can't say. But he was right
and l was wrong. If Lucy had batte6
an eye I'd have killed you. Still
wouldn't advise you to hunt up Nae
Nelly's camp. He's clever. Maybe he
believes there's no treachery in his
new ideas of ranger tactics. / tel
you for all it's worth. Goodby. May
God help you further as he did this
Gay!"
Duane said goodby and touched the
horse with his-spurs.
$50 long, Ruck!" called Sibert, with
that frank smile breaking warmly ovel
his brown face; and he held his SOM
brero high.