Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1916-08-23

that supper would soon be ready. At
table he found himself opposite the
three who had attracted his attention.
Ruth, | envy the lucky cowboys"
Longstreth was saying.
Ruth was q curly haired girl with
gray or hazel eyes.
I'm crazy to ride bronchos." she said.
Duane gathered she was on Il visit
to western Texas. The other girls
deep voice. sweet like a bell. made Du-
ane REGARD her closer. She had beauty
as he had never seen it in another
woman. She was slender. but the de-
Nelopn.ent OF her figure gave Duane the
impression she was 90 years old or
more. She had the most exquisite hands
Duane had ever seen. She did not re-
semhle the colonel. who was evidently
her father. She looked tired, quiet, even
melancholy. \ finely chiseled oval face,
clear. olive tinted skin: long eyes set
wide apart and black as coal, beautiful
to look into: a slender, straight nose
that had something nervous and deli
cate about it which made Duane think
of a thoroughbred; and 4 mouth by no
means small but perfectly curved; and
hair like jet-all these features pro-
claimed her beauty to Duane. Duane
believed her a descendant of one of the
old French families of eastern Texas.
He was sure of it when she looked at
him. drawn by his rather persistent
gaze. There were pride, fire, and pas
sion in her eyes. Duane felt himself
blusling in confusion. His stare at her
had been rude. perhaps. but uncon-
scious. low many years had passed
since he lad seen a girl like her!
Thereafter he kept his eyes upon his
plate, Yet he seemed to be aware that
he had aroused the interest of both
girls.
After supper the guests assembled
in a big sitting room where an open
( flrpn1lCA with hl9Zino naSn11ita Stiolyc
gave out warmth and CHEEKY glow.
Duane took a seat by a table in the
corner, and. finding a paper, began to
read. Presently when he glanced up
he saw two dark faced men, tranger
Who had not appeared before, and were
peering in from a doorway. When they
saw Duane had observed them, they
stepped back out of sight.
1t flashed over Duane that the stran-
gers acted suspiciously. In Texas in
the .0s 1t was always bad policy to
let strangers go UNDECIDED. Duane pom
dered a moment. Then he went out to
look over these two men. The doorway
opened into a patio, and across that
was a little dingy, dim lighted bar
room. Here Duane found the innkeep-
er dispensing drinks to the two stran-
gers. They glanced up when he en-
tered and n of them whispered. He
imagined he had seen one of them be-
fore. In Texas, where outdoor men
We're so rough, bronzed, bold, and
sometimes grim of aspect, it was no
easy task to pick out the rocked ones.
But Duane's years on the border had
augmented a natural instinct or gift to
read character, or at least to sense the
evil in men; and he knew at once that
these strangers were dishonest.
Hey sometime" one of them asked,
leering. Both looked Duane up and
down.
NO, thanks; don't drink" Duane
replied, and returned their scrutiny
with interest. "How's tricks in the Big
Bend?"
Both men stared. 1t had taken only
a close glance for Duane to recognize
a type of ruffian most met
along the river. These strangers had
that stamp, and their surprise proved
he was right. Here the innkeeper
showed signs of uneasiness and second
ed the surprise of his customers. No
more was said at the instant, and the
w rather hurriedly went out.
Say. boss, do you know those fell
lows Duane asked the %innkeeper.
Nope"
Which way did they Gomez"
Now l think Of it, them fellers rid
In from both corners today" he re-
piled. and he put both hands on the
bar and looked at Duane. They nooned
heah, comm from Bradford, they said.
an trailed in after the stage"
When Duane returned to the sitting
room, Colonel Longatreth was absent,
also several Of the other passengers.
Miss Ruth sat in the chair he had va
Gated, and across the table from her
sat Miss Longstreth. Duane went d.
rectly to them.
Excuse me- said Duane, addressing
them. Il want to tell You there are a
couple of rough looking men here. I've
just seen them. They mean evil. Tell
your father to be careful. Lock your
doors-bar your windows tonight
oh" cried Ruth, very low. Ray,
do you hear?"
Thank you; we'll be careful" said
Miss Longstreth, gracefully. The rich
color had faded in her cheek. 81 saw
those men watching you from that door.
They had such. bright black eyes. Is
there really danger-here?"
Il think SO" was Duane's reply.
Soft. swift steps behind him preced-
ed a harsh voice: Hands up!"
No man quicker than Duane to rec
ogn1Ze the intent in those words! His
hands shot up Miss Ruth uttered a
little frightened cry and sank into her
her eyes dtlated. Both girls were STAR
ing at some one behind Duane.
Turn around!" ordered the harsh
voice.
The big. dark stranger, the bearded
one who had whispered to his COM
AdoC VI eAc OdT room ana asked duane
to drink. had him covered with a
cooked gun. He STROBE forward, his
eyes cleaning. pressed the gun against
him.. and with his other hand dove into
his inside coat pocket and tore out
his role of bills. Then he reached low
at Duane's hip, felt his gun and took
1t. Then he slapped the other hip, evil
IDENTIFY in search of another weapon.
hat done. he backed away. wearing
an expression Of f1endish satisfaction
that vno6n n,,or. <L;r1. H. -,~- -