The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1916-09-14

only a precursor of his old bitter,
sleepless, and eternal vigilance.
Mercer was the FIRST village he rode
into. He had many friends there.
Mercer claimed to owe Duane a debt.
On the outskirts Of the village there
was a grave overgrown by brush SO
that the rude-lettered post which
marked it was scarcely visible to
Duane as he rode by. He had never
read the inscription. But he thought
now of Hardin. For many years Hard
in had harassed the stockmep and
ranchers in and around Mercer. On
an evil day for him he or his outlaws
had beaten and robbed a man who
once succored Duane when sore In
need. Duane met Hardin in the little
plaza Of the village, called him every
name known to border men, tainted
him to draw, and killed him in the act.
Duane went to the house of one
Jones, a Texan who had known his
father, and there he was warmly re-
ceived. The feel of an honest hand,
the voice Of e. friend, the prattle of
children who were not afraid of him
or his gun, good wholesome food, and
change of clothes-these things for
the time being made changed man
of Duane. To be sure, he did not often
speak. The price of his head and the
weight of his buSden made him silent.
But eagerly he drank in all the news
that was told him. In the years Of his
absence from home he had never heard
word about his mother or uncle.
Those who we're his real friends on
the border would have been the last
to make inquiries, to write or receive
letters that might give clue to
Duane's whereabouts.
Duane remained all day with this
hospitable Jones, and as twilight fell
was loath to go and yielded to press
ing invitation to remain overnight. 1t
was seldom indeed that Duane slept
under a roof. Early In the evening,
while Duane sat on the porch with two
awed and hero-worshiping sons Of the
house, Jones returned from a quick
visit down to the postOffice. Summar-
lily he sent the boys off. He labored
under intense excitement.
duane, there's rangers in town." he
whispered. ''lr's all over town, too,
that you're here. You rode In long
after sunup. Lots of people saw you.
don't believe there's man or boy that
ID squeal on you. But the women
might. They gossip, and these rangers
are handsome fellows-devils with the
women"
"What company Of rangers?" asked
Duane, quietly.
Company A, under Captain Mac
Nelly, that new ranger. He made q
big name in the war. And since he's
been in the range service he's done
wonders. He's cleaned up some bad
places south, and he's working north"
"MacNelly. I've heard Of him. De
scribe him to me-"
"Slight-built chap, but wiry and
tough. Clean face, black mustache and
hair. Sharp black eyes. He's got a
look Of authority. MacNelly's a fine
man, Duane. Belongs to good
Southern family. I'd hate to have him
look YOU up"
Duane did not speak.
"MacNelly's got nerve, and his rang
ers are all experienced men. If they
find out you're here they'll come after
you. MacNellys no gun-fghter, but
he wouldn't hesitate to do his duty,
even if he faced sure death. Which
he would in this case. Duane, you
mustn't meet Captain MacNelly. Your
record is clean. if it is terrible. You
never met a ranger or any officer eX-
cept a rotten sheriff now and then,
like Rod Brown"
Still Duane kept silence. He was
not thinking of danger, but of the fact
Of how fleeting must be his stay
among friends.
"I've already fixed up pack of
grub" went on Jones. "I'll slip out
to saddle your horse. You watch here
He had scarcely uttered the last
words when soft, swift footsteps
sounded on the hard path. A man
turned in the gate. The light was
dim, yet clear enough to disclose an
unusually tall figure. When it ap-
peared nearer he was seen to be walk
ing with both arms raised, hands high.
He slowed his stride.
"Does Burt Jones live here?" he
asked, in low, hurried voice.
81 reckon. I'm Burt. What can !
do for you?" replied Jones.
The stranger peered around, stealth
lily came closer, still with his hands up.
at is known that Buck Duane is
here. Captain MacNelly's camping on
the river just out of town. He sends
word to Duane to come out there after
dark"
The stranger wheeled and departed
as swiftly and strangely as he had
come.
BUST me! Duane, whatever do you
make of that?" exclaimed Jones.
"a new one on me-" replied Duane.
thoughtfully.
First fool thing 1 ever heard of
MacNelly doing. Can't make head nor
tails of it. I'd have said off-hand
that MacNelly wouldn't double-cross
anybody. He struck me q square man,
sand all through. But hell! he must
mean treachery. l can't see anything
else In that DEAL"
Maybe the Captain wants to give
me a fair chance to surrender without
bloodshed," observed Duane. pretty
decent of him. if he meant that"
"He invites you to come to his camp