Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1916-12-28

| lucky"
1T seems so. Well, I'm going" said
Duane terSely.
'Itcky, [ should smilei BANDS
been up all night after a most draggin'
ride home. He'll be tagged out this
mornin', sleepy. sore. an he won't be
expectin' hell before breakfast. You'll
have TO kill him, an it d save time
to go fer your gun on sight. Might be
wise, too, fer it's likely he'll do thet
same"
How about the horses"
It'll fetch them an come along about
two minnits behind you. Once on
them horses, we can ride out of camp
before Alloway or anybody else gifts
into action. Jennie amt much heavier
n rabbit. Tibet big black will carry
you both"
Buck, a last word-look out fer
tibet Bland woman"
Duane merely nodded, and then, say
ing that the horses were ready, he
strobe away through the grove.
No outlaws were in sight. He saw
several Mexican herders with cattle.
Blue columns Of smoke curled up over
some of the cabins. The fragrant smell
of it reminded Duane Of his home
and cutting wood for the stove He
noted a cloud OF creamy mist rising
above the river, dissolving in the sun
light
Then he entered BANDS lane.
H. u
cabin he heard loud, angry voices Of
man and woman. Bland and Kate
still quarreling! He took quick sur
vey of the surroundings. There was
not even a Mexican in sight. Then he
hurried little. Halfway down the
lane he turned his head to peer
through the cottOnwOods. This time
he saw Euchre coming with the horses.
There was no indication that the old
outlaw might lose his nerve at the end.
Duane had feared this.
Duane now changed his walk to .
ieisurely saunter. He reached the
porch and then distinguished what was
said inside the cabin.
IF you do, Bland, by Heaven I'll
Tx you and her!" That was painted
out IN Kate BANDS full voice.
Let me loose! I'm going in there,
/ tell you" replied Bland, hoarsely.
mo! no! I won't let you. You'll
choke the-truth. out of her-you1l
kill her."
'tThe truth !" Kissed Bland
me. You needn't-murder her-for
that"
Bland cursed horribly. Then follow
ed wrestling sound of bodies in vio-
lent straining cOntact-the scrape OF
feet-the jangle of spurs-a crash OF
sliding table, or chair, and then the
cry of a woman in pain.
Duane stepped into the open door,
inside the room. Kate Bland lay
half across table where she had been
flung, and she was trying to get to
her feet. BANDS back was turned.
He had opened the door into Jennie's
room and had one foot across the
threshold. Duane caught the girls
low, shuddering cry. Then he called
out loud and clear.
With cat-like swiftness Bland wheel
ed, then frOZe on the threshold, His
sight, quick as his action, caught
Duane's menacing, unmistakable posi-
ton.
BANDS big frame filled the door.
He was in a bad place to reach for
his gun. But he would not have time
for step. Duane read in his eyes the
desperate calculation Of chances. For
a feeting instant Bland shifted his
glance to his wife. Then his whole
body seemed to vibrate with the swing
Of his arm.
Duane shot him. He fell forward,
his gun exploding as it hit into the
floor, and dropped loose from stretch
Ing fingers, Duane stood over him,
stopped to turn him on his back.
Bland looked up with clouded gaze,
then gasped his last.
duane, you've killed him." cried
Kate Bland, huskily. ST knew you'd
have tor
She staggered against the wall, her
eyes difating, her strong hands clench-
ing, her face slowly whitening. She
appeared shocked, half stunned, but
showed no grief.
"Jennie!" called Duane, sharply.
"Come out. Hurry"
She came out with uneven steps,
seeing only him, and she stumbled over
BANDS body. Duane caught her arm,
swung her behind him. He feared the
woman when she realized how she had
been duped. His action was protec-
tive, and his movement toward the
door equally as significant.
"Duane!' cried Mrs. Bland.
1t was no time to talk Duane edged
on, keeping Jennie behind him. At
that moment there was a pounding of
irOn-shod hoofs out in the lane Kate
Bland bounded to the door. When she
turned back her amazement was
changing to realization.
"Where re you taking Jen?" she
cried her voice like q. mans.
sect out of my way" replied Duane.
His look perhaps, without speech, was
enough FOR her. In an instant she was
transformed into a fury.
'You hound! All the time you were
fooling me! You made love to me!
You'll never leave here alive. Give me
that girl! Let me-get at heri She'll
never win any more men in this camp"
al = ~6 oh t.