The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-06-22
nuirsd punne.

/ with her lovers. Tney get drunk Some-
times when BANDS away. She's got
likes flattery. oh, you could fool her
easy enough IL you'd lower yourself
| Toto"
ITO make love to herr" interrupted
Duane.
Jennie bravely turned shamed eyes
| to meet his.
My girl, I'd do worse than that TO
get you away from here" he said
bluntly.
| "But-Duane," she faltered, and
| again she put out the appealing hand.
BLAND will kill YOU"
| Duane made no reply TO this. He
was trying to still a rising strange tu-
the rush OF an instinct to kill! Ho
turned cold all over.
| Chess Alloway will kill you IL Bland
doesn't" went on Jennie, with her
tragic eyes on Duanc's.
/ Maybe he will" replied Duane. 1t
was difficult for him to force smile.
But he achieved one.
"Oh. better take me off at once" she
| said. Save me without risking so
,, much-without making love to Mrs.
Bland!"
surely, If can. There! I see Eu-
chre coming with a woman"
That's her. Oh, she mustn't see me
with you"
"Wait-a moment" whispered Du-
ane, as Jennie slipped indoors. We've
| settled it. Don't forget. I'll find some
way to get word to you, perhaps
through Euchre. Meanwhile keep up
your courage. Remember I'll save you
somehow. Well try strategy first.
Whatever you see or hear me do, don't
| think less of me"
Jennie checked him with a gesture
and a wonderful gray flash of eyes.
"Pll bless you with every drop or
blood in my heart" she whispered pas
sionately.,
1t was only as she turned away into
! the room that Duane saw she was
lame and that she wore Mexican san
dals over bare feet.
| He sat down upon q bench on the
| porch and directed his attention to the
approaching couple. The trees Of the
grove were thick enough for him to
make reasonably sure that Mrs. Bland
| had not seen him talking to Jennie.
When the outlaws wife drew near
Duane saw that she was a TALL strong,
| full bodied woman rather good looking
with q full blown, bold attractiveness
| Duane was more concerned with her
expression than with her good looks:
and as she appeared unsuspicious he
felt relieved. The situation then took
| on a singular zest.
| Euchre came up on the porch anu
awkwardly introduced Duane to Mrs.
Bland. She was young, probably not
over 25, and not quite so prepossessing
at close range. He eyes were large,
Her mouth, too, was large, with the
| lips fun. and she had white teeth.
| Duane took her proffered hand and
remarked frankly that he was glad to
meet her.
Mrs. Bland appeared pleased: and
her laugh, which followed, was loud
and rather musical.
| Mr.. Duane-Buck Duane, Euchre
said, didn't he?" she asked.
Buckley" corrected Duane, THE
nickname's not OF my choosing
I'm certainly glad to meet you,
Buckley Duane" she said, as she took
the seat Duane offered her. Sorry to
at Deger's. You know he was shot
last night. He's got fever today. When
| BlAnds away have to nurse all these
shotsup boys, and II sure takes my
time. Have you been waiting here
alone? Didn't see that slattern girl
Of miner
She gave him sharp glance. She had
an extraordinary play Of feature, Duane
thought, and unless she was smiling
was not pretty at all.
i've been alone" replied Duane.
Haven't seen anybody but a sick look
ing girl with 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 herr"
Now that think of 1t, he did say
something or other"
What did he tell you about me?"
bluntly asked Mrs. Bland.
| wal, Kate" replied Euchre, speak
ing for himself, you needn't worry
none, for 1 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. IT'S
common enough story along this riv-
or. Euchre here Is a tender hearted old
fool, and Jen has taken him in"
| wal, seem as you've got me fig
gered correct" replied Euchre, dryly,
"I'n go in an talk to Jennie, IL may"
! Certainly. Go ahead. Jen calls you
her best friend said Mrs. Bland, ami
ably. 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 heb gaze.
BLAND told me about YOU"
What did he say" queried Duane, in
|
"Oh, you needn't think he's done you
| dirt. BANDS not that kind Of a man.
He said: Kate, there's a young fell
low in camp-rode in here on the dodge.
He's no criminal, and he refused to join
my band. Wish he would. Slickest
hand with a gun I've seen for many a
day! I'd like to see him and Chess
meet out there in the road Then
Bland went on to tell how you and
Bosomer came together"
What did you say?" inquired Duane,
as she paused.
Me? Why, I asked him what you
looked like" she replied. gayly.
| "Wen?" went on Duane.
Magnificent chap, Bland said. Big
ger than any man in the valley. Just
great blue-eyed, burned boy!"
'Humphl" exclaimed Duane. I'm
sorry he led you to expect somebody
worth seeing"
| But I'm not disappointed" she re-
turned, archly. "Duane, are you going
to stay long here in camp?"
Yes, till I run out Of money and have
to move. Why?"
Mrs. BANDS face underwent one of
the singular changes. The smiles and
flushes and glances, all that had been
coquettish about her, had lent her a
| certain attractiveness, almost beauty