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

table TO be heard. lyOr or not ne
was Unable at once to quell the excite
nent. Gradually, however, it subsidized,
and from the last few few u~tterances
before quite was restored Duane
gathered that he had intruded upon
some kind of a meeting in the hall.
What d you break in here for" de-
manded LongStreth.
isn't this the court? Aren't you the
mayor Fairdaie?" interrogated Duane.
His voice was clear and loud, almost
piercing.
Yes replied Longstreth. Like flint
he seemed, yet Duane felt his intense
interest.
I've arrested a criminal" said
Duane.
Longstreth. you? Who re YOU"
I'm a ranger" replied Duane,
A significant silence ensued.
II charge Snecker with assault on
Laramie and attempted robbery-if
not murder. He's had a shady past
here, as this court will know il it keeps
q record
whats this l hear about you, Bo?
Get up and speak for yourself" said
LOngstreth, gruffy.
Snecker got up, not without a furtive
glance at Duane, and he lad shuffled
forward Il few steps toward the mayor.
He a an evil front, but not the bold
ness ever of a rustler.
1T amt so, Longstreth." he began,
loudly. II went in Laramie's place for
J grub. Some Teller / never seen before
came in from the hall an hit Laramie
an wrastled him on the floor. / went
out. Then this big ranger chased me
an fetched me here. I didn't do moth
in. This rangers hangerin' to arrest
somebody. Thet's my bunch, Long
! streth.'
Longstreth said something in an I'M
dertone to Judge Owens, and that
worthy nodded his great bushy head.
"Bo, you're discharged" said Long
streth. biuntly. Now the rest of you
clear out of here"
He absolutely ignored the ranger.
That was his rebuff to Duane-his slap
IN the face to an interfering ranger
service. IL Longstreth was crooked he
certainly had magnificent nerve
Duane. almost decided he was above
suspicion. But his nonchalance, his
all, of finality, has authoritative assur-
ance-these to Duane's keen and prac-
tised eyes were in significant contrast
to a certain tenseness of line about
his mouth and a slow paling Of his
olive skin. In that momentary lull
Duane's scrutiny Of Longstreth gath
cred an impression of the mans in
tense curiosity.
Then the prisoner. Snecker, with a
cough that broke the spell of silence,
shuffled a couple OF steps toward the
door.
Hold on!' called Duane. The call
halted Snecker, as if it had been a bull
let.
'Longstreth, 1 saw Snecker attack
Laramie" sale Duane, his voice still
ringing. what has the court to say
to that"
"The court has this to say. West of
the Pecos Well not aid any ranger
service. We don't want you out here,
! INDirIn1a. lnaSr,ft r,nnI ,rp11 ~
That's a lie, Longstreth," retorted
Duane. "Ive letters from Fairdale
citizens all begging for ranger service
Longstreth turned white. The veins
corded at his temples. He appeared
about to burst into rage. He was at a
loss for quick reply.
floNd Lawson rushed in and up to
the table. The blood showed black and
thick in his face; his utterance was in
coherent, his uncomfortable outbreak
OF temper seemed out OF all proper
ton to any cause he should reasonably
nave a for anger. Longstret showed
him back with a curse and a warning
glare.
Where's your warrant to arrest
Snecker?" shouted Longstreth.
Il don't need warrants to make ar
rests. Longstreth, you're ignorant OF
the power of Texas rangers"
You'll come more Of your damned
ranger stunts out here. I'll block you
That passionate reply of Longstreth's
was he signal Duane had been waiting
for. He wanted to force Longstreth's
hand and show the town his stand.
Duane backed clear Of everybody.
Men! l call on you ALL" criet
Duane, piercingly. II call on you t.
witness the arrest of Il criminal pre-.
vented by Longstreth, mayor of Fair.
dale. 1t will be recorded in the repor'
to the adjutant general at Austin
@ / nm tYsn IA 49, vnlrSl DryO 49,
other arrest"
Longstreth sat white with working
jaw.
.Longstreth. you've shown you
hand" said Duane, in a voice, that car.
ried far n held those who heard
ANY honest citizen of Fairdale cal
now see what's pl~ain--yours is a damn
poor hand!. You're going to hear m,
call a spade a spade. In the two year
you've been mayor o have never ar
rested one rustler. Strange, when Fair
dale's a nest for rustlers! You've new,
er sent a prisoner to Del Rio, let alon,
to Austin. You have no Jail. Their,
nave been nine murder during you,
office-innumerable street fights am
holdups. Not II arrest! But yol
nave ordered arrests for trivial of
lenses, and have punished these out o
suits in your court-suits over waite,
RIGHTS, cattle deals, property lines
Strange how in these lawsuits you O
Lawson or other men close to you wer,
always involved! Strange how i
seems the law was stretched to favol
our interests!"
Duane paused in his cold, ringin,
speech. In the silence. both outsid,
Inc inside the hail, could be heard tn,
deep breathing of agitated men. Long
streth was indeed a study. Yet did h
hetray anything but rage at this inter
loper?
"Longstreth. here's plain talk for 70,
and Fairdale," went on Duane. "
don't accuse o and your court o
dishonesty. I say strange! Law her
has been a farce. The motive benin,
all this laxity isn't plain: to me-yet
But I call our hand"
CHAPTER XVI.
Duane left the hall, elbowed his wa,
through the crowd. and went down tn
street. He was certain that on TIL
faces OF some men he had seen Ill