The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1916-09-07

| through with a remembrance of Ray
LonSstreth. He suspected her fathe,
OF being not what he pretended He
might very probably would, bring sor-
row ana shame to this young woman
Inc Thought made him smart with
PAIN She began to haunt him, and
then he was thinking more of her
beauty and sweetness than of the dis
grace he might bring upon her Some
strange emotion, long locked inside
Duanes heart, knocked to be heard, to
be lot out. He was troubled.
Upon returning to the inn he found
Laramie there, apparently none the
worse for his injury
How are you, Iaramie?" he asked
Reckon I'm feelin' as well as could
be expected" replied Laramie His
head was circled by a bandage that did
not conceal the lump where he had
been struck. He looked pale, but was
bright enough.
That was good crack Snecker gave
YOU remarked Duane
Il amt accusin' 3D." demonstrated
Laramie, with eyes that made Duane
thoughtful.
=" " eli | accuse him. I caught him
TOOK hlm to Longstreth's court But
they let him go"
Laramie appeared to be agitated by
this intimation of friendship.
See here, Laramie" went on Duane,
in some parts Of Texas it's policy to
be close mouthed. Policy and health
preserving! Between ourselves, / want
you to know l lean on your side of the
fence.
Laramie gave a quick start. Pres
entity Duane turned and frankly met
his gaze. He had startled Laramie out
OF his habitual set taciturnity; but
even as he looked the light that might
have been amaze and joy faded out Of
ms race, leaving it the same old mask.
Still Duane had seen enough. Like a
bloodhound he had a scent.
Talking about work, Laramie, who'd
you say Smoker worked for?"
Il didn't say"
ME, you're powerful peovish today. It's
that bump on your head. Who does
Snecller work for?'
When he works at all, which sure
amt often. he rides for Longstreth.
'Humph! Seems to me that Long
streth's the whole circus round Fair
dale | was some sore the other day
TO ma l was losing good money at
Longstreth's faro game Sure if I'd
won wouldn't have been sore-ha. ha!
But l was surprised to hear some one
say Longstreth owned the Hope So
joint"
He owns considerable property
hereabouts, replied Laramie, con-
STRANGELY.
"Humph again. Laramie, like every
other fellow l meet in this town. you're
afraid to open your trap about Long
streth. Get me straight, Laramie. 1
cont care a damn for Colonel Mayor
Iongstreth. And for cause I'd throw
a gun on him just as quick as on any
rustler in Pecos''
Talks cheap" replied Laramie
making light of his buster, but the red
was deeper in his face.
Sure. 1 know that" Duane said
And usually don't talk. Then it's not
Wen known that Lonsstreth owns the
Hope SOP
Reckon it's known in Pecos, all
right. But Longstreth's name isn't
connected with the Hope So Blandy
runs the place"
That Blandy. His faro games
crooked. or I'm locoed bronch Not
that we don't have lots Of crooked
faro dealers. A fellow can stand for
them. But Blandy's mean, back handed
never looks you in the eyes. That
Hope So place ought to be run by
good fellow like you, Laramie"
Thanks" replied he; and Duane
imagined his voice little husky.
Dldnt You hear | used to-run it?"
no. Did your Duane said quickly
additions twice, owned it for il years.
Ell! III be doggoned." 1t was in
deed Duane's turn to be surprised. and
with the surprise came glimmering.
I'm sorry you're not there now. Did
you sell out?"
No. Just lost the place."
Laramie was bursting for relief now
Ito talk, to tell Sympathy had made
him soft =.
1t was two years ago-two years
last March" he went on 81 was in a
big cattle deal with Longstreth. We
got the stock-an' my share, 1900 head.
was rustled Off 1 owed Longstreth.
He pressed me. 1t come to a lawsuit
an Twas ruined
1t hurt Duane to look at Laramie. He
was white. and tears rolled down his
cheeks. Duane saw the bitterness. the
defeat, the agony of the man. He had
Jailed to meet his obligations; never:
tileless. he had been swindled. An that
he suppressed, all that would have
been passion had the mans spirit not
been broken, lay bare for Duane to see.
lie had now the secret of his bitter
ness But the reason he did not openly
accuse Longstreth, the secret of his
reticence and fear these Duane
thought best to try to learn at some
later time.
Hard luck! It certainly was tough"
Duane said. But you're a good loser.
And the wheel turns! Now, Laramie,
here's what. / need your advice. pve
got a little money. But before / lose
1t | want to invest some, Buy some
stock, or buy an interest in some
ranchers herd. What I want YOU to
steer me on Is a good square rarlcher
Or maybe a couple OF ranchers, If there
Happen to be two honest ones. Ha. ha.
No deals with ranchers who ride in the
dark with rusticrs! I've a bunch Fair
dale is fun of them. Now. Iaramie
you've been here for years. Sure you
must know a couple of men above sus-
plcion."
THANK God do, he replied. feel
ingly Is. Frank Morton an ST thinner,
nay friends en- neighbors all nv pros
porous days, an friends still. You can
gamble on Frank an 81. But lie you
want advice from me-don,t invest.
money In stock now
ny 2.
Because any new feller huyir,, stock
these days will be rustIed quicker m
he can say Jack Robinson. The pio-
i,asrs, the new icattlemen--these are
easy pickin' for the rustlers, Lord
l<Ituws all the ranchers are easy enough
ptckin But the new fellers have to
learn the ropcSs They don't know any :
his iybody. An the old ranchers
49, IL - 80 EEsxxs