The Ozark spectator., 1916-10-11

her feet. Bland's back was turned. He had opened the door into Jennie's room and had one foot across the | threshold. Duane caught the girls low, shuddering cry. Then he called out loud and clear. With cat-like swiftness Bland wheel ed, then froze on the threshold. His sight, quick as his action, caught Duane's menacing, unmistakable posi- ton.
 Bland's big frame filled the door. He was in a bad place to reach for his gun. But he would not have time for step. Duane read in his eyes the desperate calculation of chances. For | fleeting instant Bland shifted his glance to his wife. Then his whole body seemed to vibrate with the swing of his arm.
 Duane shot him. He fell forward, his gun exploding as it hit into the floor. and dropped loose from stretch ing fingers. Duane stood over him, stopped to turn him on his back, Bland looked up with clouded gaze, then gasped his last.
 ''Duane, you've killed him!' cried Kate Bland, huskily. T knew you'd have tow
 She staggered against the wall her eyes dilating. her strong hands clench- ing, her face slowly whitening. She appeared shocked, half stunned, but showed no grief.
 Jennie '" called Duane, sharply. Come out. Hurry"
 She came out with uneven steps, seeing only him, and she stumbled over Bland's body. Duane caught her arm, swung her behind him. He feared the woman when she realized how she had been duped. His action was protec- tive, and his movement toward the door equally as significant.
 "Duane." cried Mrs. Bland.
 It was no time to talk. Duane edged on, keeping Jennie behind him. At that moment there was pounding of iron-shod hoofs out in the lane. Kate Bland bounded to the door. When she turned back her amazement was changing to realization.
 "Where re you taking Jen?" she cried, her voice like a mans.
 "Get out of my way" replied Duane. His look perhaps, without speech, was enough for her. In an instant she was transformed into fury. You hound, All the time you were fooling me! You made love to me! You'll never leave here alive. Give me that girl! Let me-get at her. She'll never win any more men in this camp"
 Help! help! help!" she shrieked in a voice that must have penetrated to the remotest cabin in the valley. Suddenly she snatched a rifle off the wall and backed away, her strong hands fumbling at the lever. And she jerked it down, throwing a shell into the chamber and cooking the weapon, Duane leaped upon her. He struck up the rifle as it went off, the powder burning his face.
 Jennie, run out l! Get on horse" he said.
 Jennie flashed out or the door.
 With an iron grasp Duane held to the riile-barrel. He had grasped it with his left hand, and he gave such a pull that he swung the crazed wo- man off the floor But he could not loose her grip. She was as strong as he.
 "Kate! Let go."
 He tried to intimidate her. She did not see his gun thrust in her face, or hnI erix fn extent to passion that she did not care. She cursed. Her husband had used the same curses. and from her lips they seemed strange, unSexed, more deadly. Like tigress she fought him; her face no longer resembled a wo- mans.
 He heard cry from outside-a mans cry, hoarse and alarming.
 It made him think of loss of time. This demon of woman might yet block his plan.
 Let go" he whispered. and felt his lips stiff. In the grimness of that instant he relaxed his hold on the ritle-barrel.
 With sudden, redoubled. irresistible strength she wrenched the rifle down and discharged 1t. Duane felt blow "a shock-a burning agony tearing through his breast Then in frenzy he jerked so powerfully upon the rifle that he threw the woman against the wall. She fell and seemed stunned.
 Duane leaped back. whirled, flew out of the door on the porch. The sharp cracking of gun halted him. He saw Jennie holding to the bridle of his bay horse. Euchre was astride the other. and he had n Colt leveled, and he was tlring down the lane. Then came single shot. heavier. and Euchre's ceased. He fell from the horse,
 A swift glance back showed to Duane man coming down the lane. Chess Allowayl His gun was smoking. He broke into Il run. Then in an instant he saw Duane, and tried to check his pace as he swung up his arm. But