Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-06-22

AAA Dioiiu . away IA . oSs
a terrible temper. She's vain. She
likes flattery. oh, o could fool her
easy enough if you'd lower yourself
to-to-'
ITO make love to herr" interrupted
Duane.
Jennie bravely turned shamed eyes
to meet his.
My girl, I'd do worse than that 10
get you away from here" he said
bluntly.
"But-Duane," she faltered, and
again she put out the appealing hand.
BLAND will kill you"
Duan made no reply to this. He
was trying to still a rising strange tu-
multi in his breast. The Ole emotion
the rush of an instinct to kill! He
turned cold all over.
Chess Alloway will kill you if Bland
doesn't" went on Jennie, with her
tragic eyes on Duane's.
Maybe he will replied Duane. 1t
was difficult for him to force a smile.
But he achieved one.
"Oh, better al me off at once,' she
said. a me without risking so
much-without making love to Mrs.
Bland."
Surely, if 1 can. There! 1 see Eu-
chre coming with a woman"
That's her. oh, she mustn't see me
with you"
"Wait|a moment" whispered Du-
ane, as Jennie slipped indoors. We've
settled it. Don't forget. I'll find some
way to get word to you, perhaps
through Euchre. Meanwhile keep up
your courage. Remember I'll save You
somehow. Well try strategy first.
Whatever you see or heal me do, don't
think less of me"
Jennie checked him with a gesture
and a wonderful gray flash of eyes.
IN bless you with every drop Of
blood in my heart" she whispered pas
sionately.
1t was only as she turned away into
the room that Duane saw she was
lame and that she wore Mexican san
dals over bare feet.
He sat down upon a bench on the
porch and directed his attention to the
approaching couple. The trees of the
grove We're thick enough for him to
make reasonably sure that Mrs. Bland
had not seen him talking to Jennie.
When the outlaws wife drew near
Duan saw that shs was a tall, strong,
full bodied woman, rather good looking
with a full blown, bold attractiveness.
Duane was more concerned with her
expression than with her good looks;
and as she appeared unsuspicious he
felt relieved. The situation then took
on a singular zest.
Euchre came up on the porch anu
aWkWardly Introduced Duane to Mrs.
Bland. She was young, probably not
over 20, and not quite so prepossesSing
at close range. He eyes were large,
rather prominent, and brown in color.
Her mouth, too, was large, with the
lips full, and she a white teeth.
Duane took her proffered hand and
remarked frankly that he was glad to
meet her.
Mrs. Bland appeared pleased; and
her laugh, which followed, was loud
and rather musical.
aNV D,,o~~ p,@J D- r,
said, didn't he?" she asked.
Buckley" corrected Duane, 1.-The
nickname's not of my choosing"
Tn certainly glad to meet you,
Buckley Duane" she said, as she took
the seat Duane offered her. Sorry to
have been out. Kid Fuller's lying over
at Deger's. You know he was shot
last night. He's got fever today. When
Blanqs away l nave to nurse all these
shotsup boys, and it sure takes nv
time. lave you been waiting here
alone? Didn't see that slattern girl
Of mine?"
She gave him a sharp glance. She had
an extraordinary play of feature, Duane
thought, and unless she was smiling
was not pretty at all.
I've been alone replied Duane.
Haven't seen anybody but a sick look
ing girl with a bucket. And she ran
when she saw me-"
'NtS "to oSi Sdlu MIS-. 10IlDU.
Shes the kid we keep here, and she
sure hardly pays her keep. Did
Euchre tell you about herr"
Nov that l think of it. he did say
something or other"
What did he tell you about me?"
oiuntly asked Mrs. Bland.
Wal, Kate" replied Euchre, speak,
ing for himself, you needn't > worry
none, for l told Buck nothin' but COM
pliments."
Evidently the outlaws wife liked
Euchre. for her keen glance rested with
amusement upon him.
AS for Jen, I'll tell you her story
some day. went on the woman Its
a common enough story along this riv-
err. Euchre here is a tender-hearted old
1901, and Jen has taken him in
Wal, seem as you've got me fig
gered correct" replied Euchre, dryly,
III go in an talk to Jennie, if 1 may"
her best FRIEND" said Mrs. Bland, ami
ably. You're always fetching some
Mexican stuff, and that's why. I guess"
When Euchre had shuffled into the
house Mrs. Bland turned to Duane with
curiosity and interest in her gaze.
Bland. told me about you"
What did he say?" queried Duane. in
pretended alarm.
oh, you needn't think he's done YOU
dirt. and not that kind of a man
He said: Kate, there's a young fell
low in camp-rode in here on the dodge.
He's no criminal, and he refused to ioin
my band. Wish he would. Slickest
hand with a gun Nv seen for MANY a
day! I'd like to see him and Chess
meet out there in the road Then
Bland went on to tell how you and
Bosomer came together"
What did you say?" inquired Duane.
as she paused.
"Me? Why. I asked him what you
looked like" h replied, gayly.
"Well?" went on Duane.
Magnificent chap, Bland said. Big
ger than any man in the valley. Just
a great blue-eyed, sun-burned bow"
"Humph!" exclaimed Duane. I'm
sorry he led you to expect somebody
worth SEEING"
But I'm not disappointed" she re-
turned. arch!y. duane, are you going
to stay long here in Campo"
Yes, till I out Of money and have
to move. Why"
Mrs. BANDS face underwent one of
the singular changes. The smiles and
flushes and glances, all that had heen
coquettish about her, had lent her a
certain attractiveness, almost beauty
/, rl ~xo,,tl, d. "a SSodly