The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-09-21

spying oh-Ou yOuI IdLuel anu HAS hAiSii
They heard me, but did not see me
They don't know who was listening
They're after me now"
Her eyes changed from blank CULTS
to dilating, Shadowing, q~uickening win
dows OF thought.
Then she stood up and faced Duane
with the fire n intelligence Of a wom-
an in her eyes.
Tell me now. You were spying on
my father?"
Briefly Duane told her what had hap
pened before he entered her ROOM, not
emitting a terse word as to the charac-
ter Of the men he had watched.
MY Cod So it's tAat? / knew
something was terribly wrong here
with him-with the place-the people
And right off ! hated Floyd Lawson
Oh, it'll kill me if-if- It's SO much
worse than l dreamed. What shall
do?"
The sound Of soft steps somewhere
nea distracted Duane's attention, re-
minded him of her peril. and now, what
counted more with him, made clear the
probability of being discovered in her
room.
ri have to get out Of here" whis-
Wait" she replied. Didn't you say
they were hunting for your"
They sure are" he returned, grimly
SIlp llltH YOU lhuSlh I BO. lucy III Il
shoot you before you got away. Stay.
If we hear them you can hide. I'll turn
out the light. Ill meet them at the
door. You can trust me. Wait till all
quiets down, If we have to wait till
morning. Then o can slip out"
Il oughtn't to stay. l don't want to-
I won't" Duane replied. perplexed and
stubborn.
But you must. It's the only safe
way. They won't come here"
Suppose they should? It's. an even
chance Longstreth will search every
room and corner in this old house. II
they found me here l couldn't start a
fight. You might be hurt. Then-the
fact Of my being here
Duane did not finish what he meant
but instead made a step toward the
door. White Of face and dark Of eye
she took hold Of him to detain him
She was as strong and supple as q
panther. But she iced not have been
either r~esolute or strong. for the CLASP
Of her hand was enough to make Duane
weak.
up yet, Ray?" came Longstreth's
clear voice. too strained. too eager to
be natural.
NO. I'm in bed reading. Good
night" instantly replied Miss Long
streth, so calmly n naturally that
Duane marveled at the difference be-
tween man and woman. Then h mo-
toned for Duane to hide in the closet
He slipped in, but the door would moi
close altogether.
Are o alone?" went on Long
streth's penetrating voice.
Yes" she replied; Ruth went &c
bed"
The door swung inward with a swift
scrape and jar. Longstreth half entered
hagaard, flaming eyed. Behind hin
| nt,nVn enry n N uF1rY nr1 tn1iotipn tlN
another a
Longstreth barred Lawson from en-,
tering, which action showed control as
well as diStrust. He wanted to see
into the room. When he had glanced
around he went out and closed the
door.
Then what seemed a long interval en-.
sued. The house grew silent once more
Duane could not see Miss Longstreth
but he heard her quick breathing. How
long did she mean to let him stay hid
den there? Hard and perilous as his
life had been, this was a new kind OF
adventure. He a OWNED the strange
softness Of his feeling as something due
to the magnetism Of this beautiful
woman. 1t hardly seemed possible tina
he, who had been outside the pale fol
SO many years, could have fallen IL
love. Yet that must be the secret Of
his agitation.
Presently he pushed open the close
door n stepped forth. Miss Long.
streth had her head lowered upon hel
arms and appeared to be in distress
At his touch she raised q %quiverine
face.
II think I can go now-safely." hi
whispered.
Go then, II you must; but you ma,
stay till you're SAFE" she replied.
Il couldn't thank o enough. It;
been hard on me-this finding out
and you his daughter. l feel strange
l don't understand myself well. Blu
/ want you TO know-if I were MOI ar
outlaw-a ranger-I'd lay my life a
your feet"
"Oh! You have seen $3.50 little o.
me-" she faltered.
All the same, it's true. And tha'
makes me feel more the trouble my
coming caused YOU"
You will not fight my father"
Not if l can help it. I'm trying t.
get out Of his way"
But You spied upon him."
Il am a ranger, Miss Longstreth."
And oh! I am a rustler's daugh'
teri" she cried. That's so mucl
more terrible than ia suspect
ed. 1t vas tricky cattle deals / imag,
ined he was engaged in, But only to-
night had strong suspicious aroused.
How. Tell me-"
II overheard Floyd say that men wer,
coming tonight to arrange a meeting
for my father at q rendezvous neaI
Ord. Father did not var to go. Floy(
tainted him with a name..'
What name?" queried Duane.
1T was Cheseldine."
"Cheseldine! My Godl Miss Long
streth, why did o tell me that"
What difference does that maker"
Your father arad Cheseldine are on,
and the same" whispered Duan,
hoarsely.
Il gathered so much myself" she re
piled. miserably. But Longstreth il
fathers real name"
Duane felt so stunned he could no
speak at once. 1t vas the girls part IL
this tragedy that weakened him. TIL,
instant she betrayed the secret Duan,
realized perfectly that he did love her
The emotion was like a great flood.
Miss Longstreth, all his seems s,
unbelievable" he whispered. "Chesel
dine is the rustler chief I've come GU
here to get. He's only a name. You
father Is the real man. I've sworn t.
get him, I'm bound by more than Law
or oaths. I can't break what binds me
And I must disgrace you-wreck you
life! Why. Miss Longstreth. 1 beiiev'