Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-09-07

L~ongstreth. he suspected her father
or being not what he pretended. He
might, very probably would, bring sor-
row and shame to this young woman
The thought made him smart with
pain. She began to haunt him, and
then he was thinking more of he
beauty and sweetness than of the dis
grace he might bring upon her. Some
strange emotion, long locked inside
Duane's heart, knocked to be heard, to
be let out. He was troubled.
Upon returning to the inn he found
Laramie there, apparently none the
worse for his injury.
How are you, Laramie?" he asked
Reckon I'm feelin' as well as could
be expected" replied Laramie. His
head was circled by a bandage that did
not conceal the lump where he had
been struck. He looked pale, but was
bright enough.
THAT was q good crack Snecker "
you" remarked Duane.
Il amt accusin' 3d." demonstrated
Laramie, with eyes that made Duane
thoughtful.
Well, l accuse him. / caught him
took him to Longstreth's court. But
they let him 60"
Laramie appeared to be agitated by
this intimation of friendship.
See here, Laramie" went on Duane
in some parts of Texas it's policy tc
be close mouthed. Policy and health
preserving! Between ourselves, l want
you to know l lean on your side of the
fence"
Laramie gave a quick start. Pres
entity Duane turned n frankly met
his gaze. He had startled Laramie out
of his habitGal set taciturnity; but
even as he looked the light that might
have been amaze and Joy faded out OF
his face, leaving it the same old mask
Still Duane had seen enough. like a
bloodhound he had a scent.
Talking about work, Laramie, who'd
you say Snecker worked for?"
II didn't say"
We'll, say SO now, can't you? Lara
ME, you're powerful peevish today. It's
that bump on your lead. Who does
Snecker work for?"
When he works at all, which sure
amt often, he rides for Longstreth.'
"Humph! Seems to me that Long.
streth's the whole circus round Fair
dale. L was some sore the other day
to find l was losing good money al
Longstreth's faro game. Sure if &c
won l wouldn't have been sore-ha, ha
But L was surprised to hear some one
say Longstreth owned the Hope Sc
joint"
He owns considerable propert,
hereabouts,' replied Laramie. con.
STRANGELY.
"Humph again! Laramie, like every
other fellow ! meet in this town. you're
AFRAID to open your trap about Long
streth. Get me straight, Laramie.
don't care a damn for Colonel Mayor
Longstreth. And for cause I'd throw
a gun on him just as quick as on any
~rustler in Pecos."
Talks cheap" replied Laramie
making light OF his buster, but the rec
was deeper in his face.
Sure. | know that" Duane said
And usually don't talk. Then it's MOI
well known that Longstreth owns the
Hope SOP"
Reckon it's known in Pecos, al
right. But Longstreth's name ism
connected with the Hope So. Blands
runs the place"
That Blandy. His faro games
crooked, or Pm a locoed bronch. No
that we don't have lots of crooked
faro dealers. A fellow can stand 70,
them. But Blandy's mean, back handed
never looks you in the eyes. Thar
Hope So place ought to be run by I
good fellow like YOU, Laramie
Thanks" replied he; and Duane
imagined his voice a little husky
Didn't you hear l used to-run it?"
No. Did YOU" Duane said quickly
II reckon. l built the place, made
additions twice, owned it for II years.
WSA, II pc uOSSOLeu. 1t was IN.
deed Duane's turn to be surprised, ane
with the surprise came a glimmering
I'm sorry you're not there now. Die
you sell out?"
NC. Just lost the place."
Laramie was bursting for relief nov
to talk, to ell. Sympathy mad.
him soft.
1T was two years ago-two year.
last March," he went on. 81 was in {
big cattle a with Longstreth. w,
got the stock-an' my share, 1900 head
was rustled off. l owed Longstreth
lie pressed me. 1t come to a lawsuit
an Twas ruined"
1t hurt Duane to look at Laramie. Fl,
was white, n tears rolled down hi,
cheeks. uan saw the bitterness, tn,
defeat, the o of the man. He hat
failed to meet his obligations; never
theless, he had been swi,. died. All tina
he suppressed, all that would hay,
been passion had the mans spirit no
been broken, lay bare for Duane to see
lie had now the secret of his bitter
ness. But the reason he did not openl,
accuse Longstreth, the secret of hi
reticence and fear = these Duan,
. thought best to try to learn at som
later time.
Hard luck! 1t certainly was tough,
Duane said. But you're a good loser
And the wheel turns! Now, Laramie
HSiSo Wiihl. l leeu YOUR aQVlce. Nv
: got a little money. But before | los
it ] want to invest some. Buy som
!. stock, or buy an interest in som
) rancher's herd. What l want you t
steer me on is a good square rancho,
Or maybe a couple of ranchers, if Their
happen to be two honest ones. Ha. ha
NO deals with ranchers who ride IN til
) dark with rustlers! I've a bunch Fair
dale is full Of them. Now, Laramie
you've been here for years. Sure 70,
must know a couple of men above sus
: picion."
Thank God 1 do" he replied, feel
/ ingly. Frank Morton an ST Ziinme,
I my friends an neighbors all my pros
porous, days, an friends still. You ca,
gamble on Frank an ST. But if yo
want advice from NEEDN'T inyes
money in stock now"
"Why?"
Because any new Teller buyin' stoc
these days will be rustled quicker !,
he can say Jack Robinson. The pic
neers, the new cattlemen-these ar
9 easy pickin' for the rustlers. Lof
knows all the ranchers are easy enoug
pickin'. But the new fellers have t
2 learn the ropes. They don't know any
thin or anybody. An the old rancher
t are wise an sore. They'd fight j
esVVhat p" Duane mt IN aa he pa,,ca,