The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1916-12-22
The Lone Star Ranger
a Fine Tale OF the Open Country By ZANE GREY

/ He was game. He had the courage
that forced Dnane to respect him.
Duane just saw him measure the dis
lance to that gun Duane would have
to kill him.
'Iongstreth, listen" cried Duane,
swiftly. The games up. You're
done. But think of your daughter
I'll spare your life-Tll try to get
you freedom on one condition. For
her sake! I've got you nailed-all the
| proofs. There lies Lawson. You're
| alone. I've Morton and men to my aid.
Give up. Surrender. Consent to de-
| mands, and I'll spare you. Maybe
can persuade MacNelly to let you go
free back to your old country. It's
for Rays sake! Her life, perhaps her
| happiness, can be saved! Hurry,
| mani Your answer p
| Suppose refuse?' ne queried, with
| a dark and terrible earnestness.
Then I'll kill you In your tracks
| You can't move handl Your word
| or DEATH Hurry, Longstreth! Be
man! For her sake! Quick! An
| other second now-Tll kill you'll"
| sAll right, Buck Duane. / give my
| word" he said. and deliberately walk
ed to the chair and fell into 1t.
Longstreth looked strangely at the
bloody blot on Duane's shoulder.
'sThere come the girls ~ he sudden
| Iy exclaimed. "Can you help me
drag Lawson inside? They mustn't see
him."
Duane was facing down the porch
| toward the court and corrals. MISS
Longstreth and Ruth had come IN
sight, were swiftly approaching, EVIL
| IDENTIFY alarmed. The two men sue
ceeded in drawing Lawson into the
house before the girls saw him.
duane, you're not hard hit?" SAID
Longstreth.
Reckon not" replied Duane.
I'm sorry. II only you could have
told me sooner! Lawson! Always
I've split over him!"
"But the last time, Longstretn.
Eyes and 1. came near driving you
to kill me, too. Duane, you talked me
out of it. For Rays sake She'll pc
in here in minute. This IL be hard
er than facing a gun"
lizard now. But hope 1t II turn
out all right"
duane, will you do me favorF'
he asked, and he seemed shamefaceo.
"Sure."
LET Ray and Ruth think Lawson
shot you. He's dead. 1t can't matter.
Duane, the old side of my life Is
coming back. It's been coming. Ana,
I'd change places with Lawson II l
could ~
"Glad you-said that, LOngstreth,
replied Duane. "And sure-LaWsOn
plugged me. It's our secret"
Just then Ray and Ruth entered the
loom. Duane heard two low cries, SO
different in tone, and he saw TWO
white faces. Ray came to his size.
She lifted shaking hand to point at
the blood upon his breast. White ana
mute, she gazed from that to ner
father.
'Papa!" cried Ray, wringing her
hands.
Don't give way" he replied, husk-
ry. Both. you girls will need your
ierve. Duane isn't badly hurt. But
Floyd isis dead. Listen. Let me
tell 1t quick. There's been fight. 1t
lit was Lawson-it was Lawson's
gun that shot Duane. Duane let me
off. In fact, Ray, he saved me. I'm
to divide my property SO Tar
as possible what I've stolen-leave
Texas at once with Duane, under ar
rest. He says maybe he can get Mac
Nelly, the ranger captain, to let me
go. For your 'sake!"
She stood there, realizing her deliver
ance, with the dark and tragic glory
of her eyes passing from her father
to Duane.
you must rise above this" said
Duane to her. 1T expected this to
ruin you. But your father is alive.
He will live 1t down. I'm sure can
promise you he'll be free. Perhaps
back there In Louisiana the dishonor
will never be known. This matter OF
land, water, few stray head OF stock
had to be decided out of court. TO
protect himself he bound men to him.
He could not control them. He be-
came involved with them, and so ne
grew into the leader because he was
the strongest. Whatever he is to be
judged for, 1 think he could have been
Infinitely worse"