Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-12-29
The Lone
Star Ranger
A Romance Of the Border
bu ZANE GREY
Author Of
THE LIGHT OF WESTERN STARS"
RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE" ETC.
Copyright by H>rper and BrsthsrS
CHAPTER VI.

Next morning Duane found that a
moody and Respondent spell had fas-
tened on him. Wishing 10 he alone,
he went out and walled trail leading
round the river blum. He thought and
thought. After while he made out
that the trouble with him probably
was that he could not resign himself
10 his fate. He cared vastly more, he
discovered. for what he considered
honor and integrity than he did for
life. He saw that 1t was bad for him
to be alone But, it appeared. lonely
months and perhaps years inevitably
must be his.
Another thing puzzled him. In the
bright light of day he could not recall
the state Of mind that was his ar
twilight or dusk or In the dark night.
BY day these viSitationS became TO
him what they really were-phantoms
Of his conscience. He could dismiss
the thought of them then. He could
scarcely remember or believe that this
strange feat of fancy or imagination
had troubled him. made him sleepleSS
and sick.
At length he determined 10 create
and so forget himself as much as pos
Sihle. He had an opportunity now 70
see just what the outlaws life really
was. He meant 10 force himself 70
he curious. sympathetic, clear-sichted
And he would stay there in the valley
until it's possibilities had been eX-
hausted or until circumstances sent
him out upon his uncertain way.
When he returned to the shack
Euchre vas cooking dinner.
Say. Buck. I've news for YOU he
said: and his tone conveyed either
pride in his possession Of such news
or pride in Duane. ''Fe!ler named
Bradley rode in this mornin'. He's
heard some about you. Told about
the ace Of spades they put over The
huilet-holes in ther cowpuncher Balm
YOU plugged. Then there WAS ranch
er shot al a wateT-hole twenty miles
south OF WeliStOn. Reckon you sidn' /
do it:'
No. certainly did not" replied
Duane
Wal. you get the blame. lt amt
nothing fer fel!e- 20 be saadied with
gun plays he never made. An. Buck,
if you ever get famous, as seems like
~. you'll be blamed for many crime.
The border II make an outlaw an
murderer ouj Of you. Wal thet's
enough OF tibet I've more news.
You're goin' 10 be popular"
Popular: What do you mean:
Il met BANDS wife this mornin'
She seen YOU The other day when you
rode in. She shore wants 10 meet you,
an so do some of the other women
in camp. They always want 10 meet
In" new fellerS who've just come in.
It's lonesome FOR women here. an they
like to hear news from The towns"
We'll. Eurhre, don't want TO be
impolite hut I'd rather not meet any
women" rejOined Duane.
Il was afraid you wouldn't. Don't
blame YOU much. Women are hell. |
was hopin'. though. you might talk Il
little to tibet poor lonesome kid.
What kid?' inquired Duane in sur
prise.
Didn't tell you about Jennie--the
girl BANDS holdin' hcre:'
"No. Tell me now replied Duane.
abruptly.
Wal. / got il this way. Mebhr it's
straight, an mebbe it amt. Some
years ago Benson made a trip over the
river 70 buy mescal an other drinks.
An ne run across gang Of greasers
with some gringo prisoners. don't
know. hut I reckon there was some
barterin'. perhaps murderin. Any