The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1916-09-07

! lies III ttG face OK a SITUATION like lnt
made him simply fool.
I'm saying again, you used your.
ranger blutr just TO get near Ray Long
streth," Lawson sneered. Mind you,
If you come UP there again lhere'll be
hell"
You're right. But not the kind you
think" Duane retorted, his voice sharp
and. cold.
Ray Longstreth wouldn't stoop to
know dirty blood tracker like YOU"
SAID Lawson. holly. He did not seem
10 have deliberate intention to rouse
Duane; the man was simply rancor-
GUS. jealous. IN call you right. You
cheap buffer! You four flush! You
damned interfering, conceited rangeri"
Lawson, I'll not take offense, be-
cause you seem to be chanlpioning
your beautiful cousin" replied Duane,
III slow speech. But let me return
your compliment. You're a fine SOUTH
erner! Why, You're only a cheap four
tlush-danned, bun headed rustler!"
Duane Kissed the last Word. Then
for him there was the truth in Law
sons working passion blackened face.
Lawson jerked, moved. meant to
draw. But how slow! Duane lunged
forward His long arm swept up, and
Lawson staggered backward, knocking
table and chairs, TO fail hard, in a hair
sitting posture against the wall.
Don't draw!" warned Duane
yelled Laramie
But LaLwson was crazed with fury.
de tugsed at his hip, his face corded
with purple Wets, malignant, murder
GUS. Duane kicked the gun out of his
hand. Lawson got up raging, and
rushed out.
Laramie lifted his shaking hands.
"Whatd you wing him for?" he
walled. He was DRAWN on you.
k1ckin men like him won't do out
here
That bull headed fool will roar and
butt himself with all his gang right
into our hands. He's just The man
I've needed to meet. Besides, shoot
ing him would have been murder"
'Murder!" exclaimed Laramie
Yes, for me- replied Duane.
That may be true-whoever you are
but, If Lawson's the man you think
he is, he'll begin tibet secret under
sleep OF nights now. He an Longstreth
have always been after me-
Laramie, what are your eyes for?"
demanded Duane. Watch out. And
now here. See your friend Morton.
Tell him this game grows hot Toseth
er you approach four or five men you
know We'll and can absolutely trust L.
may need your help
Then Duane went from place to place.
corner to corner, bar to bar, watching
listening, recording. The excitement
h ; preceded him, and speculation was
rife. He thought best to keep out S
IT. After dark he stole up to Long
streth's ranch. The evening was warm;
the doors were open; and in the twi-
hight the only lamps that had been lit
were In Lonsstreth's big sitting room,
at the far end Of the house. When q
and Lawson alighted, Duane was wen
hidden in the bushes, so we'll screened
that he could get but fleeting glimpse
OF Lonsstreth as he went in. For all
Duane could see, he appeared to be
q CAIN and quiet man, intense beneath
Inc surface. with an air Of dignity I'M
Ger insult Duane'S chance to observe
Lawson was lost. They went into the
house without speaking and closed the
door.
Al the other end Of the porch, close
under WINDOW, was an offset between
louane hid. So Duane waited there in
the darkness with patience born of
many hours of hiding
presently lamp was lit; and Duane
heard the swish of skirts.
something's happened surely, Ruth"
ne heard Miss Longstreth say, anx-
lously. Papa just met me in the hall
and cldn't speak. He seemed pale,
worried"
Cousin Floyd looked like thunder
cloud" said Ruth. For once he didn't
Try to kiss me. Something's happened
oh, dear! Ruth, what can we do?
These are wild men. Floyd makes life
miserable for me. And he leases you
unmer-"
Il don't call it teasing. Floyd wants
to spoon" declared Ruth emphatical-
ly. He'd run after any woman"
"A fine compliment to me, Cousin
Ruth" laughed Raw
Il don't care" replied Ruth. tits
so. He's mushy And when he's been
drinking and tries to kiss mel hate
him!"
Hello, girls!" sounded out I,awson,s
voice, minus it's usual gaiety
Floyd what's the natter" asked
Ray, presently. II never saw papa as he
is tonight, nor you $3.50 worried. Tell
me, what mas happened?"
Well Ray, we had jar today" re-
Piled Lawson, with a blunt, expressive
laugh.
"Jar?" echoed both the girls, Curl
ously.
we had to submit to a damnable
outrage" added Lawson, passionately,
as II the sound of his voice augmented
his feeling Listen, girls; I'll tell you
all about it." He coughed, cleared his
throat in a way that betrayed he had
been drinking
duane sunk deeper into the shadow
OF his covert, and, stiffening his mus
cles for protracted spell of rightly,
to listen with all acuteness
and intensity Just one word from this
Lawson, inadvertently uttered in a mo-
ment of passion, might be the word
Duane needed, for his clue.
1t happened at the town hail." began
lawson rapidly. "Your father and
Judge Owens and | were there in con-
sultation with three ranchers from out
Of town. Then that damned ranger
stalked in dragging Snecl5er the fellow
who hid here in the house. He had ar
rested Snecller for alleged assault on a
named Laramie
Snecker being obviously innocent, he
was discharged. Then this ranger began
shouting his insults. Law was farce
in Fairdale. The court was a farce.
There was no law. Your fathers office
IS mayor should be impeached. He
made arrests only for petty offenses.
lie was afraid Of the rustlers, highway
men, murderers. He was afraid or he
just let them alone. He used his office
to cheat ranckers and cattlemen in law
suits. All this the ranger yelled for
a., ~. 4