Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1916-12-21
Duane took her nroHefed hand and

and rather musical.
Mr.. Dusne-Buck Duane, Euchre
said, didn't he?' she asked.
Buckley" corrected Duane 1.-THE
nicknsme's not my choosing"
I'm certainly glad 70 meet you
Buckley Duane" she said. as she took
the seat Duane offered her. Sorry te
have been out. Kid Fniler's lying over
at Deger's. You know be was shot
last night. He's got fever to-day
When BANDS away / have to nurse all
these shot-up boys, and it sure takes
my time. Have you been waiting here
alone? Didn't see that slattern girl
of miner
She gave him sharp glance. The
woman had an extraordinary play OF
feature, Duane thought, and unless
she was smiling was not pretty at all
1--WE been alone" replied Duane
Haven't seen anybody but sick.
looking girl with a bucket. And she
ran when she saw me-"
THAT was Jen," said Mrs. Bland
She's the kid we keep here. and she
sure hardly pays her keep. Did Euchre
tell you about her?"
'Now that think of 1t, he did say
something or other"
what did he tell you about me?'
bluntiy asked Mrs. Bland.
oval, Kate" replied Euchre, speak
ing for himself, you needn't worry
nine. for 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. tits
common enough story along this
river. Euchre here is tender-hearted
old fool, and Jen has taken him in
oval, seem as you've got me fig
gered correct" replied Euchre, dryly
''rll go In an talk to Jennie, if may
Certainly. Go ahead. Jen calls
you her best friend" said Mrs. Bland
amiably. you're always fetching
some Mexican stuff, and that's why,
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.
ooh, you needn't think he's done yot
dirt. BANDS not that kind of man
He said: Kate there's young fell
| low In camp-rode in here on thu
| dodge. Slickest hand with a gun I've
seen for many a day! Magnif1cent
| chap. Bigger than any man in tht
valley. Just great blue-eyed, sun
burned boy"
"Humph!'' exclaimed Duane. "Tn
| sorry he led you to expect somebod,
| worth seeing"
"But Tn not disappointed" she re
| turned, arch.y. duane. are you go
ing to stay long here in camp?'
| Eyes, till I run olt of money and
| have to move. Why?"
| Mrs. BANDS face underwent one o.
! the singular changes. The smiles ant
| Pushes and glances, all that had beer
| coquettish about her, had lent her
| certain attractiveness. almost beaut!
| and youth. But with some powerful
| emotion she changed and instantly be
| came q woman of discomfort, Duan
| imagined, of deep, violent nature.
TIL tell you, Duane" she said, earn
! estly, I'm sure glad if you mean t.
| bide here awhile. I'm 8 miserable
| woman, Duane. I'm an outlaws wife
| and I hate him and the life have t.
| lead. I'm sick for somebody to tall
| TO. I have no children, thank God
II I had I'd not stay here. I'm sicl
| of this hole. I'm lonely"
Genuine emotion checked, then halt
ed the hurried speech. She hrek'
down and cried. Duane believed ans
| pitied her.
I'm sorry for you he said.
| Don't be sorry for me- she said
''That only makes me see the-th'
! difference between you and me. AM
| don't pay any attention to what these
| outlaws say about me. They're ignor
ant. They couldn't understand me
| You'll hear that Bland killed men wht
| ran after me- But that's lie.'
would Bland object if called OF
you occasionally?" inquired Duane.
mo, he wouldn't. He likes me t.
| have friends. Ask him yourself wher
| he comes back. The trouble has beer
| that two or three men of his fell II
| love with me, and when half DRUM
| got to fighting You're not going to d.
! that
I'm not going to get half drunk
that's certain" replied Duane.
He was surprised to see her eyel
dilate, then glow with fire. Before shs
could reply Euehre returned to tbs
porch, and that put an end to the con
versation.
Duane was content to let the matter
rest there and had little more to say
Euchre and Mrs. Bland talked and
joked, while Duane listened.
Once he happened to glance into the
house, and deep in the shadow Of q
corner he caught pale CLEAN of Jen
MES face with great, staring eyes Oh
him. Watching his chance, he flashed
look at her; and then it seemed to
him the change in her face was won.
derful.
Later, after he had left Mrs. Bland
with meaning "Adios-manana," and