The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1916-10-19
THE, LONE. STAR RANGER
This stoya ut the Texas Plains People By ZANE GREY
BIZ ZANE GREY

Still in his heart he did not believe
up; he would not accept the ghost of
his victim as a reality.
Gray dawn found him I'm the saddle
again, headed for the river. Half an
hour of riding brought him to the
dense chaparral and willow thickets.
These he threaded TO come at length
to the ford. Once upon the opposite
shore, he refined in his horse and
looked darby back. This action
marked his acknowledgment Of his sit
uation: he had voluntarily sought the
refuge of the outlaws; he was beyond
the pale.
The trail led into a road which was
hard packed and smooth from the
tracks of cattle. He doubted not that
he had come across one of the roads
used by border raiders. He headed
into it. and had scarcely Travelled a
mile when. turning a curve, he came
point-blank upon a single horseman
riding toward him. Both riders wheeled
their mounts sharply and were ready
TO run and shoot back Not more than
hundred PAGES separated them. They
stood then for a moment watching
each other.
'Mawnin', stranger" called the man.
dropping his gun to his hip.
'Howdy," replied Duane shortly.
They rode toward each other, clos
ing half the gap, then they halted
again.
Il seen you amt no ranger" called
the rider. IAN shore l amt none"
He laughed loudly. as if he had
made a joke.
ranger?" asked Duane curiously. Some
how he had instantly OWNED that this
horseman was no officer, or even a
rancher trailing stolen stock.
"Wal," said the fellow, starting his
horse forward at a walk, "a ranger'd
never git ready to run the other way
from one man"
He laughed again. He was small
and wiry, slouchy of attire, and armed
to the teeth, and he bestrode a fine
bay horse. He had quick, dancing
brown eyes, at once frank and bold
and coarse. bronzed face. Evidently
he was good-natured ruffian.
Duane acknowledged the truth OF
the assertion, and turned over in his
mind how shrewdly the fellow haC
guessed him to be a hunted man.
'My names Luke Stevens, an hal
from the river. Who're your" sait
this stranger.
Duane was silent.
Il reckon you're Buck Duane" wen
on Stevens. 81 heerd you was a ba,
man with a gum"
This time Duane laughed, not at tn
doubtful compliment, but at the ide
that the first outlaw he met shoul
know him. Here was proof of HOY
swiftly facts about gun-play travele
on the Texas border.
oval, Buck" said Stevens, in
friendly manner, 81 amt presumin' O
your time or company. l see your
headin' fer the river. But will 70
stop long enough to stake Teller I
bite of grub?"
I'm out of grub and pretty hungr
myself" admitted Duane.
Been pushin' your boss, I see. Wa
1 reckon you'd better stock up befor
you hit tibet stretch of country"
He made a wide sweep Of his rigf
4 arm, indicating the southwest, an
there was that in his action whic
seemed significant of a vast and bal
rem region.
"Stock up?" queried Duane. though
fully.
"Shore. A Teller has Jest got to ca
; l can rustic along without whisky, bl
not without grub. Thet's what make
it so embarrassin' travelin' these par
: dodgin' your shadow. Now, I'm on n
way to Mercer. It's a little two-b
: town up the river a ways. I'm goi
n to pack out some grub"
Stevens tone was inviting. Eviden
ly he would welcome Duane's compa
e ionship. but he did not openly say s
z Duane kept silence. however, and the
e Stevens went on.
/, stranger. in this here country two
n crowd. It's safer. / never was mu,