Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1916-09-13
is that a fact, or only

CNtlS VI tIlc wise, us n1SQl been
proved. An in some cases when they
alked-hint a little--they was found
dead. Apparently held up an robbed.
But dead. Dead men don't talk. Thet's
why were close mouthed."
Duane felt Il dark. somber sternness.
Western Texas had gone on prospecting.
growing in spite of the hordes of
r%ustlers ranging its vast stretches; but
a cold, secret, murderous hold ON a
littlc struggling community was some
thing too strange. too terrible for men
to stand long.
The g was about to speak again
when the chatter of hoo1s INTERRUPTED
MN. Horses halted out in front. and
one rider got down. Floyd Lawson en-
tered. He called for tobacco.
If his visit surprised Laramie. he did
not show any evidence. But Lawson
showed rage as he saw the ranger. and
then Il dark CLINT fitted from the eyes
that shifted from Duane to Laramie
and back again. Duane leaned easily
against the counter.
Say, that was a bad break of YOURS"
Lawson said. If you come fooling
round the ranch again, there'll be hell"
1T seemed strange that Il man who
had lived west OF the Pecos for 10 years
could not sec in Duane something
which forbade that lind of talk. 1t GER
tainly was not nerve Lawson showed:
men of courage We're seldom intoler-
ant. With the matchleSS nerve that
characterized the great gunner of the
day there was a cool. unobtrusive man
ner, q speech brief, almost gentle, GER
tainly courteous. Lawson was a hot
headed Louisianian of French eNtrac-
ton; Il man, evidently, who had never
been crossed in anything, and who was |
strong, brutal, passionate. which quail
ties in the face of Il situation like this |
made him simply a fool.
I'm saving again. Won used SOll.
ranger bluff just to get near Ray Long
streth.' Lawson sneered. Mind you,
if you come up there again there'll be
, hell"
You're right. But not the kind you
think Duane retorted, his voice sharp
and cold.
Pay Longstreth wouldn't stoop to
know a dirty blood tracker like YOU"
said Lawson, hotly. He did not seem
to have a deliberate intention to rouse
Gus, jealous. "Ill call you right. You
cheap buffer! You four flush! You
damned interfering, conceited ranger!"
Lawson, I'll not take %offense, be-
/ your beautiful cousin" replied Duane,
III slow speech. But let me return
your compliment. You're a fine south
erner! Why, you're only a cheap four
flush-damned, bull headed rustler!!"
Duane Missed the last word. Then
ia AAAA SaISAS MCl llIC llull VI Law
sons working passion %blackened face.
Lawson jerked, moved, meant to
draw. But how slow Duane lunged
forward His long arm swept up, and
Lawson staggered backward, knocking
table and chairs, to fall hard, in a half
sitting posture against the wall.
Don't draw" warned Duane.
Lawson, git away from your gum"
yelled Laramie.
But LaLwson was crazed with fury.
/ I1n fYprC1l ~% 49, - -.
with purple Welts, malignant, MURDER
GUS. Duane kicked the gun out of mis-
hand. Lawson got up raging, and
rushed out.
Laramie lifted his shaking hands.
"What'd you wing him for?" he
walled. He was DRAWN on you.
Kickin' men like him won't do out
here"
That bull headed fool will roar and
butt himself with all his gang right
into u hands. He's just the man
I've needed to meet. Besides, shoot
ing him woul nave been murder"
"Murder!" exclaimed Laramie.
Yes, for me-" replied Duane.
That may be true-whoever you are
but. if Lawson's the man you think
ground bizness. Why Lawson won't
sleep of nights now. He an Longstreth
have always been after me-"
Laramie, what are our eyes for?'
demanded Duane. Watch out. And
now here. See your friend Morton.
Tell him this game grows hot. Togeth-
er you approach four or five men you
know we'll and can absolutely trust. l
may need your help"
Then Duane went from place to place,
corner to corner, bar to bar, watching,
listening, recording. The excitement
had preceded him, and speculation was
rife. He thought best to keep out of
1T. After dark he stole up to Long
streths ranch. The evening was warm;
lhe doors We're open; and in the twi-
We're in Longstreth's big sitting room.
at the far end of the house. When a
b~uckboard drove up and Longstreth
and aWson alighted, Duane was we'll
hidden in the bushes, SO we'll screened
that he could get but a fleeing glimpse
OF Longstreth as he went in. Fol- all
duane could see, he appeared to be
a calm n quiet man, intense beneath
the surface, with an air of dignity I'M
der insult. Duane's chance to observe
Lawson was lost. They went into the
house without speaking and closed the
door.
AT the other end of the porch, close
under a window, was an offset between
step and wall, and there in the shadow
Duane hid. So Duane waited there in
the darkness with patience born of
many hou of hiding.
Presently a lamp was lit; and Duane
heard the swish of skirts.
Something's happened surely, Ruth,'
he heard Miss Longstreth say, anx-
iously. Papa just met me in the hall
and didn't speak. He seemed pale.
worried"
Cousin Floyd looked like a thunder
cloud" said Ruth. For once he didn't
try to kiss me. Something's happened.
Well. Ray. this has been a day."
oh, dear! Ruth, what can we do?
These are wild men. Floyd makes life