The Ozark spectator., 1916-09-23

most forgotten what good men are like. Mister Duane, you'll help mel"
 "Yes, Jennie, I will. Tell me how. What must do? Have you any plan?"
 "Oh no. But take me away"
 'Tll try" said Duane, simply. That won't be easy, though. Are you watched kept prisoner?"
 "No. I could run off lots of times. But was afraid. I'd only have fallen into worse hands. Euchre has told me that. Mrs. Bland beats me, half starves me, but she has kept me from her husband and those other dogs. She's been as good as that, and I'm grateful She hasn't done it for love of me, though. She always hated me. And lately she's growing jealous. l hear her fighting with Bland about me. Then I've heard Chess Alloway try to persuade Bland to give me to him. Duane, you must be quick if you'd save me-"
 q realize that" replied he thought fully q think my difficulty will be to fool Mrs. Bland. If she suspected me she'd have the whole gang of outlaws on me at once."
 "She would that. You've got to be careful-and quick"
 "What kind of woman is she?" inquired Duane.
 "Shes-she's brazen. I've heard her with her lovers. They get drunk sometimes when Bland's away. She's got terrible temper. She's vain. She likes flattery. Oh, you could fool her easy enough if you'd lower your self tO-tO-"
 "To make love to herr" interrupted Duane.
 Jennie bravely turned shamed eyes to meet his.
 "My girl, I'd do worse than that to 1 get you away from here," he said, l bluntly.
 "But-Duane," she faltered, and again she put out the appealing hand. Bland will kill you" Duane made no reply to this. He was trying to still n rising strange | tumult in his breast. The old emotion -lllc IuSli oI tIit ibSliiNt to hA'i AA> turned cold all over.
 Chess Alloway will kill you if | Bland doesn't" went on Jennie, with her tragic eyes on Duane's. Maybe he will" replied Duane. It was difficult for him to force a smile. But he achieved one. "Oh better take me off at once" she .,.,l-s much-without making love to Mrs. Bland!"
 Surely, if can. There! I see | Euchre coming with woman"
 That's her. Oh, she mustn't see me with you"
 Duane, as Jennie slipped indoors. 'Weve settled it. Don't forget. I'll | find some way to get word to you, per haps through Euchre. Meanwhile keep up your courage. Remember I'll save you somehow. We'll try strategy first. | Whatever you see or hear me do, don't think less of me" Jennie checked him with a gesture and wonderful gray flash of eyes.
 "rll bless you with every drop of blood in my heart" she whispered, passionately.
 | It was only as she turned away into the room that Duane 'saw she was lame and that she wore Mexican sandals over bare feet. He sat down upon a bench on the porch and directed his attention to the approaching couple. The trees of the grove were thick enough for him to make reasonably sure that Mrs. Bland had not seen him talking to Jennie. When the outlaws wife drew near, the situation took on singular | Zest.
 Euchre came up on the porch and awSwardly introduced Duane to Mrs. Bland. She was young, probably not over twenty-five, and not quite so pre- possessing at close range. Her eyes were large, rather prominent, and brown in color. Her mouth, too, was large, with the lips full, and she had white teeth.
 Duane took her proffered hand and IclildI hcu thut hS was 6iuu so meet her.
 Mrs. Bland appeared pleased; and her laugh, which followed, was loud and rather musical.
 "Mr. Duane-Buck Duane. Euchre said. didn't he?" she asked.
 Buckley" corrected Duane. ''The nickname's not my choosing"
 I'm certainly glad to meet you, Buckley Duane," she said, as she took the seat Duane offered her. "Sorry to have been out. Kid Fuller's lying over at Deser's. You know he was shot last night. He's got fever to-day. When Blands away have to nurse all these shot-up boys, and it sure takes my time. Have you been waiting here alone? Didn't see that slattern girl of minew
 She gave him sharp glance. The woman had an extraordinary play of feature Duane thought, and unless