The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1916-12-07


"Yes, Jennie, / will. Tell me how.
What must do2 Have you any plan?"
"Oh nc. But take mo away"
"Tll try" said Duane. simply. THAT
won't be easy, though. Are you watched
kept prisonerT
"No. could run or lots OF times.
But was afraid. I'd only have fallen
into worse hands. Euchre has told
me that. Mrs. Bland beats me, half
starves me, but she has kept me from
her husband and those other dogs.
She's been as good as that. and I'm
grateful. She hasn't done 1t for love
of me, though. She always hated me.
And lately she's growing Jealous. I
hear her fighting with Bland about me.
Then I've heard Chess Alloway try
to persuade Bland to give me to him.
Duane. you must be quick II you'd
save me-"
81 realize that" replied he, thought
fully. II think my difficulty will be to
fool Mrs. Bland. IL she suspected me
she'd have the whole gang of outlaws
on me at once"
"She would that. You've got to be
careful-and quick"
"what kind OF woman Is she7"
inquired Duane.
"She's-she's brazen. I've heard her
with her lovers. They get drunk
sometimes when BANDS away. She's
got terrible temper. She's vnln.
She likes nattcry. oh, you could fool
her easy enough II you'd lower your
self Toto"
"To make love to herr" interrupted
Duane.
Jennie bravely turned shnmed eyes
to meet his.
"My girl. I'd do worse than that to
get you away from here" he said,
bluntly.
"But-Duane," she faltered, and
again she put out the appealing hand.
"Bland will kill you"
Duane made no reply to this. He
was trying to still rising strange
tumult in his breast. The old emotion
the rush of the instinct to kill! He
turned cold all over.
"Chess Alloway will kill you II
Bland doesn't" went on Jennie, with
her tragic eyes on Duane's.
Maybe he WILL" replied Duane. II
was difficult for him to force a smile.
But he achieved one.
"Oh, better take me OF at once" she
said. "Save me without risking so
much-wlthout making love to Mrs.
Bland"
Surely, II I can. Therel l see
Euchre coming with a woman"
That's her. Oh, she mustn't see
me with you"
"wait "A moment" whispered
Duane, as Jennie slipped indoors.
"we've settled Il. Don't forget. I'll
find some way to get word to you. per-
haps through Euchre. Meanwhile keep
up your courage. Remember I'll save
you somehow. Wen try strategy first
Whatever you see or hear me do,
don't think less Of me"
Jennie checked him with n gesture
and wonderful gray flash of eyes.
"rll bless you with every drop OF
blood In my heart" she whispered
passionately.
1t was only as she turned away into
the room that Duane saw she was
lame and that she wore Mexican
sandals over bare feet.
He sat down upon q bench on the
porch and directed his attention tC
the approaching couple. The trees OF
the grove were thick enough for hin
to make reasonably sure that Mrs
Bland had not seen him talking e
Jennie. When the outlaws wife drew
near, the situation took on singular
zest.
Euchre came up on the porch ant
awkwardly introduced Duane to Mrs
Bland. She was young. probably moi
over twenty-five, and not quite so pre-
possessing at close range. Her eye:
were large, rather prominent, ant
brown In color. Her mouth, too, wa'
large, with the lips full, and she hat
white teeth.
Duane took her proffered hand ant
remarked frankly that he was glad L
meet her.
Mrs. Bland appeared pleased; ant
her laugh, which followed, was lout
and rather musical.
"Mr. Duane-Buck Duane, Euchr'
said, didn't hey" she asked.
, Buckley" corrected Duane. "Th'
nickname's not my choosing"
"rm certainly glad to meet you
Buckley Duane" she said, as she tool
the seat Duane offered her. "Sorry Il
, have been out. Kid Fuller's lying ovel
at Deger's. You know he was sho
last night. He's got fever to-day
: When BANDS away have to nurse al
, these shot.up boys, and 1t sure takei
my time. Have you been waiting herr
; alone? Didn't see that slattern CIR
i Of miner
/ She gave him a sharp glance. Th'
, woman had an extraordinary play o
, feature, Duane thought, and unless
she was smiling was not pretty at all
aye haan alone" ranlipd Duanp