The Oakes times., 1916-10-19

"wai. hate" rspnea Euchre. speak.
Ing for himself. 'you needn't worry
nine. for I told Buck nothin' but com.
pliments."
Evidently the outlaws wife liked
Euchre. for her keen glance rested
with amusement upon him.
"As for Jen. I'll tell you her story
some day." went on the woman. "It's
common enough story along this
river. Euchre here is tender.hearted
old fool. and Jen has taken him In"
"Wal, seein' as you've got me fig-
gcrcd correct" replied Euchre. dryly.
"l'll go in an talk to Jennie. II I may"
"Certainly. Go ahead. Jen calls
you her best friend" said Mrs. Bland.
nminbly. you're always fetching
some Mexican stun. and that's why, I
guess"
When Euchre had shuffled into the
house Mrs. Bland turned to Duane
with curiosity and interest in her gaze.
"Bland told me about you"
"whnt did he say?" queried Duane.
In pretended alarm.
"Oh. you needn't think he's done you
dirt. BANDS not that kind Of man.
He said: Kate. there's young fel-
low In camp-rode In here on the
dodge. Slickest hand with gun I've
seen for many day! Magnificent
chap Bigger than any man In the
valley. Just great blue-eyed. sun.
burned boy!"
"lIumph" exclaimed Duane. "1'm
sorry he led you to expect somebody
worth seeing"
"I'ut I'm not disappointed" she re-
turned nrchly. "Dunne. mre you 60
in" to stay long here in camp?"
"Ycs. till I run out of money and
have to move. Why?"
Mrs. Bland's face underwent one of
Tie singular changes. The smiles and
iinshcs and glances. all that had been
c"nucttish about her. had lent her n
cerlnin attrnctiycncss. almost beauty
and youth. Hut with some powerful
c'l"iinn she changed and instantly be-
c;,lne Il womaS of discomfort. Duane
Imagined. of deep. violent nature.
"I'll tell you Duane" she said earn
cstv. I'm sure glad if you mean to
bidc here awhile. I'm Il miserable
woman. Duane. I'm IN outlaws wife,
and 1 hate him and the life have to
lend. I'm sick for somebody to talk
TO- have no children. thank God
If ! had I'd not stay here. I'm sick
OF this hole. I'm lonely"
Genuine emotion checked. then halt
ed the hurried speech. She broke
dryyn and cried. Duane believed and
l'ird her.
I'm sorry for YOU" he said.
"lpnn't be sorry for me-" she said.
"rhnt only makes me see the-the
4. ference between YOU and me. And
lp.''t pay any attention to what these
MI; wS say about me. They're ignor-
AT. They couldn't understand me.
io'.'il hear that Bland killed men who
IN after me. But that's II lic.'
You'd Bland object if cnlIed on
Hpu "ccasionnly?" inquired Duane.
no. he wouIdnt. He likes ne to
!ta." friends AS. him yourSrlf when
.,e cores back. The trouble has been
i!.a' iwo or three men of his fell il
lpve vi i. ne. and when half di'.:.l.:
20! 10 fighting. You're not going to &c
ip,"
I'm not golhx TO ger hul1 Gruuk,
thnt's certain" recUeC Duane.
He was surprised to So" hcr eye:
di!atc, then glow with !.r.. l;ri"re .hc
could reply Euchrc returned to the
porch. and that put an cud to the con-
versation.
Duane wnS content to lot the matte.
rest there and had little more to- sny.
Euc!,re and Mrs. Elani talked and
jOkcd. while Dunno listened.
Once he happened To glance into It Z
house. and deep in he shadow of a
corner he caught rn,c ;-!cam of .Icn-
nic'S face with great. stalin:, eyes on
him. Watching his chance. he flashed
Il look ut her; and then il seemed 10
him the change in her face was Won
derful.
Later. after he had left Mrs Bland
with meaning "A.i:os-ma'lnma." and
was walking along besides the old out
law. ne found himself thinking of the
girl instead of the woman. and of how
he had seen her face blaze with hope
and gratitude.
(To be continucd