The Benson signal., 1916-12-02
CHAPTER XIV-Continued.

GFAF = RI AIV-COnLInuC0s
Duane averted his face a moment
hesitated till the swelling left his
throat, and then said, "It's worth what
/ went through to-day to hear that"
II can imagine how you feel about
it. When I 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
I'm the last two years that wanted to
see you, why didn't you hunt me up?'
"I supposed you imagined me one OF
those gun-fghters who couldn't take q
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 a 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 a while I'm Jared into
realizing" replied Duane.
'It's the hardest, barring Murrell
and Cheseldine, on the Texas border.
But there's this difference. Murrell
I'm his day was known to deserve his
infamous name, Cheseldine in his day
also. But I've found hundreds Of men
I'm 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
say crime mean what I would call
crime, or any reasonable Texan"
''That way my hands are clean," re-
piled Duane.
@You never held up man, robbed
q store for grub, stole horse when
you needed him bad-never anything
like that?"
"Somehow always kept out Of that,
1ust. when pressed the hardest"
duane, I'm gladv' 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-
1sting circumstances, if you fell into
4he hands Of the law, you'd probably
Aang ct least go to Jail for long
eerm.'
"Ihat's what kept me on the dodge
Oil these years. replied Duane.
"Certainly." MacNelly's eyes mar
flowed and glittered. The muscles
Mlong his brown cheeks set hard and
eense. He leaned close to Duane
laid sinewy, pressing fingers upon
Ouane's knee.
'Listen to this" he whispered,
AOarsely. "If I place a pardon in your
Handmade you 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 Godw burst from Duane,
"What's this? MacNelly, you can't be
IN earnest"
"Never more so in my life. I've q
deep game. I'm playing it square
What do you say?"
He rose to his feet. Duane, as II
Ampelled, 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 fug1-
tive mounting assurance Of victory.
Twice Duane endeavored to speak,
failed Of all save hoarse, incoherent
sound, until, forcing back flood OF
speech, he found a voice.
@Any service? Every service! Mac
Molly, give my word" said Duane
A light played over MacNelly's face,
warming out al the grim darkness
He held out his band. Duane met 1t
with his in a clasp that men uncon-
sciously give in moments Of stress.
When they unclasped and Duane
stepped back to drop into a chair
MacNelly fumbled for a cigar and
lighting it, turned to his visitor
now calm and cool. He had the look
Of man who had justly won some
thing at considerable cost. His next
move was to take long leather case
from his pocket and extract from II
several folded papers.
Here's your pardon from the Cover.
nor" he said, quietly. you'll see
when you look it over, that it's condi'
tional. When you sign this paper
have here the condition will be met.