Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1916-09-13
CHAPTER zvs-(conrinuedy.

was unable at once 20 uuGdl tle cSt!l'-
mcnt. Gradually. hnwevc:. it subsidized,
and from the istst few few ulte,ances
before quite was restored Duanc
gathered that he had intrlded upon
sbine kind Of Il meeting ia The hall.
what ID You bl"3N IN here for de-
lnanded l.ongstrctil.
Isn't Tins the court Arcat you the
Il fairdale""" i~ntctrogated Duane.
His voice was clear and loud. almost
piercing.
Yes" replied Lupestrcth. Lake flint
he seemed. ye. puane felt hi. intense
interest.
Duane.
ARRESTED y cfiminai." CALCULATED
Longstreth. 'Yon" Who re yo"Y
I'm u ranger" replied Duane.
a. significant silence ensued.
II charge Gncckcr with assault on
Laramie and attempted rcbbery--if
not murder. He's had "A shady past
here. as this court will know il il keeps
a-reccra."
whats THIS ( near about you, 30?
Get up and speak for yourself" said
~Longstrcth. sruffy.
Snecker got up. net without 4 furtive
glance at Duane. and lie a shuffled
forward Il fe.v steps toward the mayor.
He had an evil front. bur not the bold
ness ever of Il rustler.
ut amt So. Lou.stAcsh.' he began.
loudly. II went in Laran,ie's place for
grnh. Some Teller I never seen before
ca1ne in from the hall an hit Laramie
an wrastled min on the floor. 1 went
out. Then this biz RANGER chased me
an fetched me here. didn't do Moth
in. This rangers haugerin' to arrest
somebody. Thets my hut7ch. Long
streth."
Lonss.retA said something IN an ia
dertone to judge Owens, and that
xrrnNflx ~. vNoI1n1 lii. vr1., t.ol ip,J
"Bo. you're discharged" said Long
streth. biuntly. "Now the rest Of you
clear out Of here"
He absolutely ignored the ranger.
That was his rebuff To Duane-his slap
In the face to an interfering ranger
service. Ii tongstreth was rocked he
cectainly had magnificent nerve.
Duane almost decided he was above
suspicion. Eut his nonchalance, his
air Of finaiity, has authoritative assur-
ancc--these to- Duaue's keen aud prac-
tsed eyes were IN significant contrast
to a certain ~tenseuess OF hne about
his mouth and a slow paling of his
olive skin. la that momentary lull
Duane's scrutiny Of Longstret1 gath
cred an impression ~ the mans in
tense curiosity.
Then the prisoner, Snecker. with a
cough that broke the spell of silence,
stpffled Il couple OF steps toward the
dohr.
Hold ont" called Duane. The call
hated Sneciser. as il 1t had been q bull
~"r-onastreth. I saw Snecker attack
Laramie" seid Duane. his voice still
ringing. What has the court to say
10 that"
The eourt has this to say. West of
tie Peccs Wen not aid any ranger
Fairdaie doesn't need yeu."
That's 4 lie, IOngStycth" retor;ed
Duane. I've letters from Tairdale
citizens I'll begging for ranger service"
Longstreth turned Waite. The veins
corded at his temples. Ho appeared
about to burst into rage. He was at a
loss for quick reply.
lloyd lawson rushed in AID up to
TIE ta'le. TIE blood showed black and
tho in his face: his utterance was in
cohefent. his uncomfortable outbreak
Of tssnper seemed out of all proper
tor - amy cause he should reasonably
nave had for anger. Longstret showed
him back wite a curse and a warning
giafe.
where's ys'.r warrant to arrest
Sneckcr?" shouted Longstreth.
II don't need warrants to make ar
rests. Longstreth. you're ignorant of
tho bower of Texas rangers
aohH come none of your damned
ranger stunts out here. I'll block you
That passionate reply of Longstreth's
't.io ~ s'io yUlIl UUQ OGoN waiting
Tor. Hc wanted to force Longstreth's
s'nnd and show the town his stand.
Duane backed clear Of everybody
Men! ! call on you all!" cried
Duane. piercingly. Il call on you to
witness the arrest Of a criminal pre-
dale. II VIII be recorded liz la report
to the adjutnnt general at Austin,
Lon'ss,ietf, you'N never prevent an
other arrest"
I.onsstreth sat white with working
law.
'I.onrstrcth. you've Shown on,
hand.. said Duane. in a voice that car
raed Tar n held those who heard
ANY honest citizen Of Fairdaie car
nov see what's nlain--yours is q damn
poHr hand:. You're going to hear MI
caAl a spade a spade. In the two years
You've been mayor you have never ar.
rested ono rustler. Strange, when Fair.
dale's a nest for rustlers! You've new
er Sent 4 prisoner to Del Rio. lei alone
to- A'ssin You have no Jail. There
officea-innnmerable street fights and
h0lduDs. Not one arrest. But VI
Ilavc ordered arrests for trivial OF.
lenses, and have punished these ont q,
al proportion. There have been law.
Outs III your court-suits over wate,
Hrhts. cattle deals. ropert lines
Hffange how II these lawsuits you q,
Lawson or other men close to Won were
nlHays involved! Strange how 4
Stems tine Law was stretched to favo,
IONr ~intcrests!"
Diane paused in his cold. ring,ns
speech. III tho s nee. both o.ts,ds
afid ,nside the hall. could ~ heard tn
deem brenthins Of aeitatcd men. orr.
afrcth was indeed a study. Yet did ht
6Atray anything hut q g at this inter.
T.onEstreth. here's plain tai, for 70,
and lsairjale." went on Duane. y
a0u.t accuse vov n cn"r court o.