Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1916-07-05

action OF some kind and APPARENT!
was quieted by a restraining hand.
Kate, you let Duane make love Il
Jennie?" Queried Bland, incredulously
Yes, l did," replied the wife stub
bornly. why not? Jen's in love with
him. If he takes her away and mar.
ries her she can be a decent woman.
Bland kept silent a moment, then his
LAUGH pealed out oud and harsh.
Chess, did you get that Well. py
God! what do you think Of my wife .
Shes lynn or she's crazy replied
Alloway, n his voice carried an un-
pleasant ring.
Mrs. Bland promptly and Indignantly
told her husbands lieutenant to keep
his mouth shut
"Ho. no. ho." rolled out BANDS
laugh.
Then he led the way to the porch. his
spurs clinking. the he was
carrying rafting, and he Topped down
on a bench.
How are you. boss?" asked Euchre.
Hello, old man. I'm we'll, but all In"
Alloway slowly walked on to the
porch and leaned against the rail. He
answered Euchre's greeting with a nod.
Mrs. BANDS full voice in eager ques-
tlonln had a tendency to ease the
situation. Bland replied briefly to her,
reporting a remarkably successful trip.
Duane thought it time to show him
self. He had a feeling that Bland and
Alloway would let him go for the mo-
ment. They were plainly nonplussed,
and Alloway seemed sullen, brooding.
Jennie" whispered Duane, that was
clever OF Mrs. Bland. Well keep up
the deception. Any day now be ready!"
She pressed close to him. and a bare
ly audible Hurry" came breathing
into his ear.
Good night. Jennie" he said aloud.
Hope you feel better tomorrow"
Then he stepped out into the moon
llght and spoke. Bland returned the
greeting. and. though he was not ami
able. he did not show resentment.
Met Jasper as / rode in" said Bland.
presently. He told me you made Bill
Black mad. and there's liable to be q
hight. What did you go off the handle
about?"
Duane explined the incident. I'm
sorry ! happened to be there" he went
On 1T wasn't my business"
"Scurvy trick that'd BEEN" muttered
Bland. "You did right. All tho same,
Duahe. l want you to stop Quarreling
with my men. II you were one of us.
thatd be different. I can't keep nv
men from fighting. But I'm not called
On 70 Jet an outsider hang around my
camp and plug my rustlers."
Il guess I'll have to be hitting the
trail for somewhere said Duane
why not join my band? You've got
a a start. already. Duane, and IL I
Nno" sn1s noroer you'll never be q re.
spectacle citizen again. You're a horn
killer. I know every bad man on thi.
frontier. More than one Of them have
TOTO me that something exploded in
their brain. and when sense came hack
mere Jay another dead man. It's not
50 WIN me. I've done a little shooting,
TOO. but never wanted to Kill another
man just to rid myself OF the last.one.
MY lead men don't sit on nv chest at
night. That's the gun fighters trouble.
hes crazy. He has to Kill a new mail
~nes oriVen TO 1T to forget the last
But I'm no gun fighter" protested
Duane. circumstances made me-.
no doubt' interrupted Bland. with
a laugh. circumstances made me a
rustier- You don't know yourself.
1o', young: you've got a temper;
gerous men Texas ever had. T dor.t
see n other career for YOU InstaaS
OF going it alone-a lone wolf. as the
Iexans say-why not make friends
WIN other outlaws? You'll live longer"
Euchre squtrmed in his seat.
Boss. I've been givin' the bow ap-
zactiy tibet same line Of talk. Thet's
WY took him in to bunk with mo
II ne makes pards among us there
wont be any more trouble. An, he'd
se.n = VITA Eianq All teller fer the gang. rye
Billy the Kid. n an' Hardin a : a a gun nis an
here-afl the fastest men on the hess
der. An with apologies to present
company. I'm here to say Duane has
snem All skinned. His draw is differ
a You can't see how he doea a."
Euchre's admirinE praise server ~
create an effective little silence. AL
ioway shifted uneasily on his feet III.
spurs jangltng family, and did not lift
ms Bland seemed thoughtfui.
2 ABOUT the only qualification
II nAVA IN mai Ia MO
band" said Duane, easily. 'o1'
It's good enough" REPLIED R,.ra
shortly. 'wM you consider the deans ea ~
III think 1t over. Good night"
re ie1t the group. followed by Eu-
chre. When they reached the end Of
b lane. and before they had az
changed . word. Bland called Euchre
oack. proceeded SLOWLY along
moonlit road to the cabin and saf
down under the cottonwoods to wait
lor Euchre. The night was Intense and
erect OF congestion OF HfA The
beauty OF b soaring moon. the ebony
canons. OF shade under the mountain.
q melancholy serenity Of the perfect
nignt, MADE Duane shudder in the re-
nom enjoyment Of these things. Never
asain 90 long - he lived could he 30
natural. Al0 mind was clouded- H3s
eye ana henceforth must reefsfar
lmpfeesions OF nature, but the ioy Of
them had fled.
stu. q he sat there with ! for.bod-
in6 Of more and darker work ahea6 Of
aim, there VA yet q strange sweet
Ness sefe 70 him, ana it lay 81 thouent
Jennle. The pressure OF her col6
isstse aeno1 fingered n hi. He did
~ ~ e asr "a xo.een sad q
- vssaS xrss;ay tSonset. 3ass
|ae1nAt3oo0 that were ln6oeoperaN q