Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-07-20

was as II they knew more than when
they We're alive, had learned that life
was a divine mysterious gift not to
be taken. They thronged about him
with their Voiceless clamoring, drifted
around him with their fading eyes.
CHAPTER XII.
Nueces org the loneliness and mac
ton of his life drove Duane out upon
the trails seeking anything rather than
to hide longer alone, a prey to the
scourage OF his thoughts. The moment
he rode into sight of men a remarkable
transformation occurred in him. A
strange warmth stirred in him-a long
ing to see the faces Of people, to heal
their voices-a pleasurable emotion
SAD and strange. But it was only a
precursor of his old bitter, ~sleepless,
and eternal vigilance. When he hid
alone in the brakes he was safe from
all except his deeper, better self; when
he escaped from this into the haunts
Of men his force and will went to the
preservation of his life.
Mercer was the first village he rode
into. He had many friends there. Mer-,
Ger 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 e the inscription.
But he thought now Of Hardin, no,
other than he ertswhile ally Of Bland.
For many years Hardin had haraSsedi
the stockmen and ranchers In and:
around Mercer. On an evil day for him
ne or his outlaws had beaten and rob-
bed 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,
| CaunteH him To 1ra" and Ei11nl I{~o
in the act.
Duane went to the house of one
Jones, a Texan who had known his
father, and there he was warmly re-
celVed. The feel of an honest hand, the
voice Of a friend, the prattle Of children
VINO were not afraid of him or his gun;
good wholesome food, and change Of
clothes-these things for the time be-
ing made changed maj Of Duane. To,
be sure, he did not often speak. The.
price of his head and the weight Of his.
burden 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 a word about!
MS mother or uncle. Those who were
his real friends on the border would
have been the last to make inquiries,
to write or receive letters that might
give u clue to Duane's whereabouts.
Duane remained all day with this
hospltable Jones, and as twilight fell
was loath to go and yielded to a 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. returned from a quick
visit down TO the postoffice. Summar-'
lily he sent the boys off. He labored,
under intense excitement.
duane there's g in town." he
/ WtlSDereu. III all over town tnn t1,nf
you're here. You rode in long atten
sunup. Lots OF people SAW you. 1 don't
believe there's a man or boy thai d
squeal on YOU. But the women might.
Ihey 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 nge He made a big
name in the war. And since he's beer
In the ranger service he's done won,
ders. 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, out wirv and
tough. Clean face, black m~o.stache
and hair. Shayp black eyes. He's got
a look of authority. MacNelly's a hne
man, Duane. BELONGS to a good south
ern family. I'd hate to have him look
you up"
Duane did not speak.
"MacNelly's got nerve, and his
rangers are all experienced men. If
they find out you're here they'la come
after you. MacNelly's no g~un-6ghter.
but he wouldn't hesitate to do his duty.
even If he faced sure death. Which he
would In this case. Duane, you elusn't
meet Captain MacNelly. Your record
Is clean. il it is terrible. You never
met a anger or any officer except 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 feeting must be his stay among
friends.
I've already fixed up a pack Of
saddle YOU horse. You watch here"
He had scarcely uttered the last
words when soft. swift footsteps
sounded on the hard path. A man
turned in at the gate. The light was
dim. yet clean enough to disclose an
unusually tall figure. When it appeared
nearer he was seen to be walking with
both arms raised, hands high. He
slowed his stride.
Does Burt Jones 1.-Two here?" he
asked. in q low. hurried voice.
= eckon I'm Burt. What can I do
for your replied Jones.
The stranger peered around. stealth
lily came closer, still with his hands up.
1T is known that Buckle Duane is
here. Captain MacNelly's camping on
h river just u OF town. He sends
word to Duane to come out there after
dark
Tho stranger wheeled and departed a
swiftly and strangely ~ he had come.
BUST mel Duane, whatever do you
make OF t exclaimed Jones.
"A new n op me-" replied DuanA