The Dolores star. [volume] (Dolores, Montezuma County, Colo.) 1901-current, 1916-09-08
The Lone Star Ranger
A Fine Tale of the Open Country BY ZANE GREY

conversation where he had left of the
night before.
This trail splits up a ways from
here. an every branA Of 1t leads to a
hole where you'll find men-a few.
mebbe, like yourself-some like me
an gangs of no-goOd boss thieves,
rustlers an such. It's easy Twin, Buck.
l reckon, though, that you'n not find
it easy. You'll never mix in. You'll
be lone wolf. / seen that right of.
Wal, II a man can stand the loneliness,
an II he's quick on the draw. mebbe
lOne-wolfin' is the best. Shore I don't
know. But these fellers in here will
be suspicious of man who goes it
alone. II they get a chance they'll
kill you"
Stevens asked for water several
times. He had forgotten or he did not
want the whisky. His voice grew per
ceptibly weaker.
BE quiet" said Duane. "Talking
uses up your strength"
Jaw, I'll talk till-Tm DONE" he re
piled, dOggedly. "See here. pard, you
can gamble on what I'm tellin' you.
An it'll be useful. From this camp
well-you'll meet men right along An
none Of them will be honest men. All
the same, some are better'n others.
I've lived along the river for twelve
years. There's three big gangs of out
laws. King Fisher-you know him,
reckon, fer he's half the time Twin
among respectable folks. King is a
good Teller. It'll do to tie up with
him an his gang. Now, there's Chesel-
dine, who hangs out in the Rim Rock
way up the river. He's an outlaw
chief. I never seen him, though l
years he's got rich, an keeps back
pretty well hid. But Bland-I knowed
Bland fer years. An I haven't any
use fer him. Bland has the biggest
gang. You amt likely to miss strlkin'
his place sometime or other. He's got
regular town, I might say. Shore
there's some gamblin' an gun-lghtin'
goin' on in BANDS camp all the time.
Bland has killed some twenty men, an
thet's not countin' greasers."
Here Stevens took another drink,
and then rested for a while.
"You amt likely to get on with
Bland" he resumed presently. you're
too strappin' big an good-lookin' to
please the chief. Fer he's got women
in'his camp. Then he'd be Jealous Of
your possibilities with Il gun. Shore
reckon he'd be careful, though.
BANDS no fool, an he loves his hide.
I reckon any Of the other gangs would
be better for you when you amt goin'
it Alone"
Apparently that exhausted the fund
of information and advice Stevens had
been eager to impnrt. He lapsed into
silence and lay with closed eyes.
Meanwhile the sun rose warm; the
breeze waved the mosquitoes; the birds
came down to splash in the shallow
stream; Duane dOzed in Il comfortable
seat BY and by something reused
! him. Stevens was once more talking,
but with changed tone.
'"Feller's name-was Brown" he
rambled 1--WE fell Out-over a boss
stole from HMM Huntsville. He
stole it fust. Browns one of them
sneaks-afraid OF the open-he steals
an pretends to be honest. Say, Buck,
mebbe you'll meet Brown some day
You an me are pards now"
"I'll remember, II I ever meet him, "
said Duane.
That seemed to satisfy the outlaw
Presently he tried to lift his head, but
had not the strength. A strange shade
sMas creeping across the bronzed
rough face.
my feet are pretty heavy. Shore
You got my boots Off"
Duane held them up, but was not
certain that Stevens could see them
The outlaw closed his eyes again ant
muttered incoherently. Then he fell
asleep. Toward shutdown Stevens
awOke. and his eyes seemed clearer
thinking his cOmrade would surel!
want some. When he returned Steven.
made no sign that he wanted anything
There was something bright about him
and suddenly Duane realized what i
meant.
"Pard, you-stick-to mel the out
law whispered.
Duane caught a hint Of gladnes
in the voice; he traced faint surpris
in the haggard face. Stevens scenes
like little child.
Duane buried him in shallow al
royO and heaped up pile of stone
to mark the grave. That done, h
| Saddlpd his cOmradeS horse hung tn
weapons over the pommel, and, mount
ing his own steed, he rode down tn
trail in the gathering twilight.
; CHAPTER ~.
| Two dnvs Inter ahout the midlla q