Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-07-06


an he's damn dangerous when he's that
way. Bland asked me some questions
right from the shoulder. was ready
FOR them, an | swore the moon was
green cheese. He was satisfied. Bland
always trusted me. an liked me, too,
l reckon. l hated to lie black thet way.
But he's a hard mar with bad inten-
tons toward Jennie, an I'd double
cross him any day.
h we went into the house. Jennie
had gone to her little room, an Bland
called her to come out. She said she
was undressin.' An he ordered her
TO put her clothes back on. Then, Buck,
his next move was some surprisin'. He
deliberately throwed a gun on Kate.
Yes sir, he pointed his big blue Colt
right at her, an he says:
I've a mind to blow out your
brains
GO ahead says Kate, cool as could
You lied to me- he roars.
Kate laughed In his face. Bland
slammed the gun down an made a grab
fer her. She fought him, but wasn't a
match fer him. an he got her by the
throat. He choked her till I thought
she was strangled. Alloway made him
stop. She Topped down on the bed an
gasped fer a while. When she come to
iSii aiu-SIlcllSu CuSSGS Went dIIGI
her, trying to make her give herself
away. l think Bland was jealous. He
suspected she'd got thick with you an
was foolln' him. I reckon thet's a sore
feelln for a man to have-to guess
pretty nice, but not to be sure. Bland
gave 1t up after a while. An then he
cussed an raved at her. One sayin' Of
his is worth pinnin' in your sombrero:
1t amt nuthin' to kill a man. l don't
need much fer tibet. But want to
know, you hussy!'
Then he went in an dragged poor
Jen out. Shed had time to dress. He
was so mad he hurt her sore leg. You
know Jen got tibet injury fightin' off
one of them devils in the dark. An
when I seen Bland twist her-hurt her
Il had a queer hot feelin' deep down
in me. an fer the only time in my life
l wished l was a g~un-fighter.
Wal, Jen amazed me. She was
whiter'n a sheet, an her Eyes were big
and starry, but she had nerve. Fust time
L aver seen her show any.
Jennie he said. my wife said
Duane came here to see you. I believe
she's lyin'. 1 think she's been carryin'
on with him, an I want to know. If
she's been an you tell me the truth
III let you go. I'll send you out to
Huntsville, where you can communicate
with your friends. I'll give you money!
Tibet must hev been a hell of a
minnit fer Kate Bland. If ever l seen
BANDS. He loves her. Thet's the
strange part Of it.
Has Duan been comm here to see
my wife? Bland asked, fierce-like.
mo, said Jennie.
He's been after your
yes
HE has fallen in love with you?
Kate said thet.'
Elm mott don't know-he hasn't
told me-
But you're in love with himT
Yes she said; an Buck, If you only
could have seen her! She throwed up
her head. an her eyes were full of fire.
Bland seemed dazed at sight Of her.
An Alloway, why, thet little skunk of
IN outlaw cried right out. He was hit
plumb center. He's in love with Jen.
An the look Of her then was enough
to make any Teller quit, He Jest skunk
out OF the room. I told you, mebbe,
tibet he'd been tryin' to git Bland to
marry Jen to him. So even a tough
ike Alloway can love a woman!
Bland stamped up an down the
room. He sure was dyin' hard.
Jennie he said, once more turnin'
to her. You swear in fear Of your
life tibet you're tellin' truth. Kate's
not in love with Duane? She's let him
come to see you? There's been nuthin'
between them?
No. swear answered Jennie; an
Bland sat down like q man licked.
go to bed. o white-faced@ Bland
choked on some word or other-a bad
one, l reckon-an' he positively shook
in his chair.
Jennie wen then, an Kate began to
have Mysteries. An your Uncle Euchre
ducked his nut u of the door am come
home."
Duane did not have a word to saw at
the end Of Euchre's long h~arangue. He
experienced relief. AS a matter of fact.
he had expected a good deal worse. He
thrilled at the thought of Jennie per
juring herself to save that abandoned
woman. What mysteries these feminine
creatures were!
Wal there's where our little deal
stands now" resumed Euchre, medita-
lively. You know. Buck, as well as me
tibet If you'd been some Teller who
hadn't shown he was a wonder with a
gun you'd now be full of lead. If you'd
happen to kill Bland al Alloway. I
reckon you'd be as safe on this here
border as you would in Santone. Such
is gun fame in this land Of the draw"