The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1916-09-28
CHAPTER XIV-Continued.

ASoIIdIcu I'LL Tic oWCllAh6 ACLI hAo
throat, and then said, "It's worth what
went through to-day to hear that"
II can imagine how you feel about
1t. When was In the war-but let's
get down to the business of this meet
ing"
He pulled his chair close to Duane's.
you've had word more than once
in the last two years that wanted to
see you, why didn't you hunt me upT'
81 supposed you imagined me one of
those gun-fighters who couldn't take a
dare and expected me to ride up to
your camp and be arrested"
"That was natural, suppose" went
on MacNelly. "You didn't know me,
otherwise you would have come. I've
been long time getting to you. But
the nature Of my job, as far as you're
concerned, made me cautious. Duane,
you're aware of the hard name you
bear all over the Southwest"
"Once In q while I'm Jared into
realizing" replied Duane.
Its the hardest, barring Murrell
and Cheseldine, on the Texas border.
But there's this difference. Murrell
in his day was known t. deserve his
Infamous name, Cheseldine in his day
also. But I've found hundreds Of men
in southwest Texas who're your
friends, who swear you never COM
mitted q crime. The farther south
get the clearer this becomes. What |
want to know is the truth. Have you
ever done anything criminal? Tell me
the truth, Duane. It won't make any
difference In my plan. And when l
say crime 1 mean what I would call
crime, or any reasonable Texan"
"That way my hands are Clean" re-
piled Duane.
"You never held up a man, robbed
q store for grub, stole q horse when
you needed him bad-never anything
like thatT'
Somehow always kept out of that.
Just when pressed the hardest"
duane, I'm gladp MacNelly ex-
claimed, gripping Duane's hand. "Glad
for your mothers sake! But, all the
same, In spite of this, you are Texas
outlaw accountable to the state.
You're perfectly aware that under ex-
listing circumstances, If you fell into
the hands of the law, you'd probably
hang, at least go to Jail for a long
term"
"That's what kept me on the dodge
all these years." replied Duane.
Certainly" MacNelly's eyes mar
rowed and glittered. The muscles
along his brown cheeks set hard and
tense. He leaned close to Duane.
laid sinewy, pressing fingers upon
Duane's knee.
Listen to this" he whispered,
hoarsely. eff place pardon in your
handmade you a free, honest citizen
once more, clear your name Of infamy,
make your mother, your sister proud
of yOu-will you swear yourself to a
service, any service demand Of your"
Duane sat stock still, stunned.
Slowly, more persuasively, with
show Of earnest agitation, Captain
MacNelly reiterated his startling
query.
my GodI" burst from Duane.
whats this? MacNelly, you can't be
In earnest -
"Never more so in my life. I've
deep game. I'm playing 1t square.
What do you say?"
He rose to his feet. Duane, as II
impelled. rose with him. Ranger and
outlaw then locked eyes that searched
each others souls. In MacNelly's
Duane read truth, strong, fiery pur-
pose, hope, even gladness, and fugi-
tive mounting assurance Of victory.
Twice Duane endeavored to speak,
failed of all save hoarse, incoherent
sound, until. forcing back a flood of
speech. he found a voice.
"Any service? Every servicel Mac
Nelly, give my word" said Duane.
A light played over MacNelly's face,
warming out all the grim darkness.
He held out his hand. Duane met it
with his in clasp that men uncon-
sciously give In moments of stress.
When they unclasped and Duane
stepped back to drop into chair
MacNelly fumbled for q cigar and,
lighting 1t, turned to his visitor,
now calm and cool. He had the look
Of a man who had justly won some
thing at considerable cost. His next
move was to take q long leather case
from his pocket and extract from 1t
several folded papers.
Here's your pardon from the Cover
nor" he said, quietly. you'll see,
when you look 1t over. that it's condi-
tional. When you sign this paper l
have here the condition will be met"
He smoothed out the paper, handed
Duane a pen, ran his forefnger along
q dotted line
Duane's hand was shaky. Years
had passed since he had held pen.
II was with difficulty that he achieved
his signature. Buckley Duane-how
strange the name lookedi
Fright here ends the career Of Buck
Duane, outlaw and gun-fghter," said
MacNelly; and, seating himself, he
took the pen from Duane's fingers and
wrote several lines In several places
upon the paper. Then with smile
he handed It to Duane.
THAT makes you member Of Com