Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-09-07

iiiodSi WIN Il IeIIleiIlDljlCe Oh Kay
Longstreth. He suspected her father
of being not What he pretended. He
might, very probably would, bring sor-
row and shame to this young Wona
The 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
Duane's heart, knocked to be heard, to
be let out. He was troubled.
Upon returning to the inn he found
there, apparently none the
worse for his injury.
"HoW are YOU, Laramie?" he asked.
Reckon I'm feelin' as well as could
be expected" replied Laramie. His
head was circled by a bandage that did
no conceal the lump where he had
been struck. He looked pale, but was
bright enough.
n was a good crack Snecker gave
you" remarked Duane.
Il amt accusin' 3d." demonstrated
Laramie, with eyes that made Duane
thoughtful.
Well, accuse him.. / caught him
took him to Longstreth's court. But
they let him go."
Laramie appeared to be agitated by
this ~timation of friendship.
See here, Laramie" went on Duane,
AL SOiiio pol 10 VI GAaS IL j policy 10
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
emily Duane turned and frankly met
his gaze. He a 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
his face, leaving it the same old mask
Still Duane had seen enough. Like a
bloodhound he a a scent.
Talking about work, Laramie. who'd
you a Snecker worked for""
Il didn't say"
well, say so now, can't you? Lara
mic, you're powerful peevish today. It's
that bump on YOU head. Who does
Snecker 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 Eair-
dale. l was some sore the other day
to find | was losing good money al
Longstreth's faro game. Sure if I'd
won l wouldn't nave been sore-ha, ha!
But was surprised to hear some one
say Longstreth owned the Hope Sc
joint"
I'll owns considerable property
h~ereabouts," 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.
don't care a damn for Colonel Mayor
Longstreth. And for cause I'd throw
a gun on him just as quick as on any
~rustler in Prcos."
Talks cheap" replied Laramie
making light of his buster, but the rec
was deeper in his face
Sure. | kno. that" Duane said
And usually L don't ak Then it's no
Well known that Longstreth owns tht
Hope Sop
Reckon it's known in Pecos, al
right. But Longstreth's name ism
runs the place"
That Blandy. His faro games
crooked. or I'm a locoed bronch. No
that we don't have lots of crooked
faro dealers. A fellow can stand 70,
them. But Blandy's mean, back handed
never looks you in the eyes. Tha
Hope SO place ought to be run by (:
good fellow like you. Laramie"
Thanks" replied he; and Duan,
imagined his voice a little husky
Didn't you hear used to-run ii 2"
No. Did you% Duane said quickly
Il reckon. | built the place, mad,
additions twice, wned it for Ii years.
WIN, II 10 uoSSOlIeu. II was IN,
DEED Duane'S turn to be surprised, ant
with the surprise came a glimmerine
I'm sorry you're vol there now. Die
you sell out?"
No. Just lost the place."
Laramie was bursting for relief nov
to talk, to tell. Sympathy a mad,
him soft.
1T was two a ago-two YEAR
last March," he went on. 81 was in
big cattle deal with Longstreth. w,
got the tock-an' my share, 1880 head
was rustled off. | owed Longstreth
He pressed me. 1t come to a lawsuit
an WAS ruined"
1t hurt Duane to look at Laramie. H,
: was white, n tears rolled down hi;
cheeks. Duane saw the bitterness, tn,
defeat, the agony of the man. He ha.
failed to meet his obligations; never
theless, he had been Swindled. All tina
!, ne suppressed, all hat would hav,
!, been passion had the a spirit no
been broken, lay bare for Duane to see
He a now the secret of his bitter
ness. But h reason he did not openl-
) accuse Longstreth, the secret of hi
!, ret1cence and fear - these Duan
. thought best to try to learn at som
later time.
i "dard luck! 1t certainly was tough,
Duane said. But you're a good loser
{ And the wheel turns! Now, Laramie
here's what. / iced your advice. Iy
: got a little money. But before | los
1T want to invest some. Buy som
stock, or buy an interest in som
rancher's herd. What l want you t.
t steer me on is a good square ranchel
Or maybe a couple of %ranchers, if Their
happen to be two honest ones. Ha, ha
NO deals with ranchers who ride in TIL
. dark with rustlers! I've a bunch Fair
2 dale is full of them. Now. Laramie
you've been here for years. Sure yo,
must know a couple of men above sus
: picion.'
THANK God do,' he replied, feel
ingly. Frank Morton an ST Zimme,
my friends an neighbors all my pros
porous days, an friends still. You ca
gamble on Frank an ST. But if yo,
! want advice from me-don't inves
money in stock now"
Why"
Because any new Teller buyin' stoc.
these days will be rslstled quicker i
he can say Jack Robinson. The pic
neers, the new cattiemen-these ar
9 easy pickin' for the rustlers. Lof
knows all the ranchers are easy enoug,
pickin'. But the new fellers have t
9 learn the ropes. They don't know any
, thin or anybody. An the old rancfer
t are wise an sore. They'd fight
they
ssWhat?"' Duane put in, as he PAUSED