Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1916-12-28

nSt, FED ranehhouSs. He hasded his
horse for ii and turned face he tried
to make cheerful for Jennie's sake.
She seemed both happy and sorry.
When near at hand he saw that the
rancher was thrifty farmer. And
thrift spoke for honesty. There were
fields OF alfalfa. fruit-treeS. corrals,
windmill pumps, gation-ditches. all
surrounding q neat little adobe house.
Some children were playing in the
yard. The way they ran at the sight
Of Duane limited to both the loneliness
and the fear of their isolated lives.
Duane saw woman come to the door,
then man. The latter looked keenly,
then stepped outside. He was q sandy
haired, freckled Texan.
"Howdy, stranger" he called, as
Duane halted. Get down. you an
your woman. Say, now, air you sick
or shot or what? Let me-"
Duane. reeling in his saddle. bent
searching eyes upon the rancher. He
thought he saw good will, kindness.
honesty. He risked all on that one
SIidi SIduCe. IueH liz diLlOSl pluHSSA
from the saddle.
The rancher caught him, helped him
TO q bench.
Martha, come out here" he called.
This mans sick. No; he's shot, or
don't know bloOd-Stains."
Jennie had slipped off her horse aud
to Duanes side. Duane appeared
about TO faint.
Air you his wife?" asked tho
rancher.
mo. I'm only g.. he saved from
outlaws. Oh, he's so palel Duane,
Duane!"
Buck Duane" exclaimed the ranch
er, excitedly. The man who killed
Bland an Alloway? Say, l owe him
good turn, an I'll pay it, young
woman"
The rancher'S wife came out, and
with manner at once kind and prac-
teal eSsayed TO make Duane drink
from flask. He was not so far gone
that he could not recognize its con-
tents. which he refused and weakly
asked for water. When that was given
him he found his voice.
Eyes, I'm Duane. I've only over
done myself-just all In. The wounds
got at BANDS are healing. viii you
take this girl in-hide her awhile till
the excitement's over among the out
laws?"
81 shore will," replied the Texan
young man you amt in any shape
to travel. I'll take you in along with
the girl, an hide both of you till you
get WELL"
Duane's last fading sensations OF
that hard day were the strange feel
Of bed, relief at the removal OF his
heavy boots, and OF Jennies soft, cool
hands on his hot face.
He lay i'll for three weeks before he
began to mend, and it was another
week then before he could walk out
q little in the dusk of the evenings
After that his strength returned rapid
". And it was only at the end Of this
long siege that he recovered his spirits.
During most Of his illness he had been
silent, moody.
Jennie, I'll be riding off SOON" he
said, one evening II can't impose On
this good man Andrews much longer.
I'll never forget his kindness. His
wife, too-she's been so good to u.s.
Yes, Jennie, you and / will have to
say good-by very sOon."
Don't hurry away" she replied.
Lately Jennie had appeared strange
to him. She had changed from the
girl he used to see at Mrs. BANDS
house. He took her reluctance to say
good-by as another indication Of her
regret that he must go back to the
brakes. Yet somehow 1t made bin
observe her more closely.
''It's likely that we won't see each
other. again." he<said. THAT'S strange
to think of. We've been through some
you long time"
Jennie appeared shy, almost sad, so
Duane change the subject to some
thing less personal.
Andrews returned one evening from
a several days trip to Huntsville.
duane, everybody's talkin' about
how you cleaned up the Bland outfit"
he said, important and all full OF news.
'It's some exaggerated, accordin' tn
what you told me; but you've shor@s
made friends on this side OF thu
Nueces. I reckon there amt town
where you wouldn't find people to-
welcome you"
did you hear Of any outlaws hunt
ing me-" asked Duane.
Nobody from Bands outfit IS hunt
in you, thet'S shore" replied Andrews.
Fisher said there never was q boss
straddled to go on your trail. Nobody
had any use for Bland. Anyhow, his
r.s2n would be afraid to trail you. An
yfsu could go right in to Huntsville,
v here you'd be some popular. Reckon
you'd be safe, too, except where some
IF them fool saloon lOafers or bad
would try to shoot you
Tor the glory in it. Them kind OF men
will bob up everywhere you go,
Duane"
''I'll be able TO ride and take care Of
myself In day or two" went Oh
Duane. 'Then I'll go-rd like to talk
% you about Jennie"
"She's welcome to home here with
is"
"Thank you, Andrews You're g