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


table to be heard. Mayor or not he
was unable at once to quell the excite
| mcnt. Gradually, however it subsidized
| and from the last few few utterances
before quite was restored Duane
| gathered that he had intruded upon
| some kind of a meeting in the hail.
| what d you break in here for" de-
| manded Lougstreth.
| Isn't this the court? Aren't you the
mayor Fairdale?" interrogated Duane
| His voice was clear and loud, almost
| piercing.
Yes, replied Longstreth. Like flint
| he seemed, Yet Duane felt his intense
| interest.
I've arrested a criminal" said
| Duane.
Arrested criminal" calculated
| Longstreth. You? Who re your"
I'm ranger" replied Duane.
\ significant silence ensued
Il charge Snecker with assault on
Laramie and attempted robbery-if
| not murder. He's had n shady past
| here, as this court will know if it keeps
| Il record
What's this hear about you, 30?
! Get up and speak for yourself said
| Longstreth. gruffy
Snecker got up, not without a furtive
glance 81 Duane, and he had shuffled
forward few steps toward the mayor
He had an evil front, but not the bold
ness even of rustler.
1t amt so, Longstreth" he began
loudly. L went in Laramie's place for
grub. Some Teller l never seen before
came in from the hail an hit Laramie
an wrastled him on the floor. | went
out. Then this big ranger chased me
an fetched me here. l didn't do moth
in. This rangers hangerin to arrest
somebody Thets my bunch. Long
streth."
Longstreth said something in an I'M
dertone to Judge Owens and that
worthy nodded his great bushy head
30, you're discharged" said Long
streth. bluntly. Now the rest of you
clear out of here
He absolutely ignored the ranger.
That was his rebuff to Duana-his- sap
in the face to an interfering ranger
service. If Longstreth was crooked he
certainly had magnificent nerve
Duane almost decided he was above
suspicion. But his nonchaiance his
air IF finaiity, has authoritative assl,r-
ance--taese to Duane's keen and prac-
tised eyes We're in significant contrast
to certain tcnseness of line about
his mouth and a slow paling of his
olive skin. In that momentary lull
Duane's scrutiny of Longstreth gath
cred an IMPRESSION of the mans in
tense curiosity,
Then the prisoner, Snecker, with
cough that broke the spell of silence,
shnffled couple of steps toward the
door.
Hold on." called Duane The call
halted Snecker. as If it had been a bull
lef.
Langstreth. / saw snecker attack
Laramie" said Duane his voice still
ringing. What has the court to say
to that"
The court has this to say. West of
the Pecos Wen not aid any ranger
service We don't want You out here.
Fairtale doesn't need you"
That's a lie, Longstreth" retorted
Duane. I've letters from Fairdale
citizens all begging for ranger service"
Longstreth turned white. The veins
corded at his temples. He appeared
about to burst into rage. He was at a
loss for quick reply.
Floyd Lawson rushed in and up to
the table. The blood showed black and
thick in his face; his utterance was in
coherent, his uncomfortable outbreak
OF temper seemed out Of all proper
ton to any cause he should reasonably
have had for anger. Longstret showed
him back with a curse and a warning
glare.
Where's your warrant to arrest
Snecker?" shouted Longstreth.
Il don't need warrants to make ar
rests, Longstreth, you're ignorant of
the power of Texas rangers"
ranger stunts out here. I'll block you"
That passionate reply Of Longstreths
was the signal Duane had been waiting
Tor. He wanted to force Longstreth's
hand and show the town his stand.
Duane backed clear Of everybody.
Men!ss | cali on you ALT" cried
Duane. piercingly. Il call on you to
witness the arrest of a criminal pre-
vented by Longstreth, mayor of Fair
Gale. 1t will be recorded in the report
70 the adjutant general at Austin.
Longstreth you'll never prevent an
other arrest"
Longstreth sat white with working
jaw
Longstreth you've shown your
hand, said Duane. in voice that car
ried far and held those who heard
Any honest citizen OF Fairdale, can
now see what's plain-yours is a damn
poor handl. You're going to hear me
cali a SPADE spade. In the two years
you've been mayor you have never ar
rested one rustier. Strange, when Fair
dale's a nest for rustiers. You've ney-
er sent a prisoner to Del Rio, let alone
20 Austin You have no jail. There
have been nine murders durinn yours
soffice--innumerable street fights and
holdups. Not one arrest But you
have ordered arrests for trivial Of
fenses, and have punished these out of
all proportion. There have been law
suits IN your coGrt--suits over water
sl y; g, cattle deals, property lines
Lawson or either men cIose to you were
always ssfyoiveds Strange how ii
seems the law. szs stretched to favor
yoi,r interests
Duane paused IN his cold. ringing
speech In the silence, botf, outside
deep bgeat hing NJ asssated men. Long
strnth was 5sgsAeA a .4afiy Yet did he