The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-06-01

ponder and shake his head. II was as
IL he had not all to say in this matter.
There appeared to have been in him
reluctance to let himself go, and some
voice, some spirit from a distance,
something he was not accountable for,
had compelled him. That hour of Du-
ane's life was like years of actual liv-
ing, and in 1t he became a thoughtful
man.
He rcnt suto the house and buckled
on his belt and gun. The gun was a
Colt, as, ix-shot, and heavy, with an
ivory handle. He had packed 1t, on and
off, for five years. Before that 1t had
been used by his father. There were a
number Of notches filed in the bulge Of
the ivory handle This gun was the
one his father had fired twice after be-
ing shot through the heart, and his
hand had stiffened so tightly upon 1t in
the death grip that his fingers had to
be pried open. 1t had never been drawn
upon any man since 1t had come into
Duane's possession. But the cold,
bright polish of the weapon showed
how IL had been used. Duane could
draw II with inconceivable rapidity,
and at 20 feet he could split q card
pointing edgewise toward him.
Duane wished to avoid meeting his
mother. Fortunately, as he thought,
she was away from home. He went out
The air was full Of the fragrance of
blossoms and the melody Of birds. Out
side in the road a neighbor woman
stood talking to a countryman in q
wagon; they spoke to him; and he
heard, but did not reply. Then he be-
gan to stride down the road toward the
town. D..
Wellston was a small town. but inn
portant in that unsettled part Of the
center Of several hundred miles Of ter
ritory. On the main street there were
perhaps fifty buildings, some brick,
some frame, mostly adobe, and one
third Of the lot, and by far the most
prosperous, were saloons From the
road Duane turned into this street. 1t
was a wide thoroughfare lined by
hitching-rails and saddled horses and
vehicles of various kinds. Duane's eye
ranged down the street, taking In all
at glance, particularly persons NOV
ing leisurely up and down. Not q cow
boy was in sight. Duane slackened his
stride, and by the time he reached Sol
Whites place, which was the first
saloon, he was walking slowly. Several
people spoke to him and turned to look
back after they had passed. He paused
at the door Of Whites saloon, took q
sharp survey of the interior, then step
ped inside.
The saloon was large and cool, full
Of men and noise and smoke The
noise ceased upon his entrance, and the
silence ensuing presently broke to the
clink of Mexican silver dollars at a
monte table. Sol White who was be-
hind the bar, Strengthened up when he
saw Duane; then, without speaking, he
bent over to rinse u glass. All eyes
except those of the Mexican gamblers
were turned upon Duane; and these
glances were keen, speculative, ques-
tioning. These men knew Balm was
looking for trouble; they probably had
heard his boasts. But what diu Duane
intend to do? Several Of the cowboys
and ranchers present exchanged glanc-
es. Duane had been weighed by uner-
ring Texas instinct, by men who all
packed guns. The boy was the son OF
his father. Whereupon they greeted him
and returned to their drinks and Cords
Sol White stood with his big red hands
out upon the bar; he was a tall, raw
boned Texan with a long mustache
waxed to sharp points.
"Howdy, Buck" was his greeting to
Duane. He spoke carelessly and avert
ed his dark gaze for an instant.
''Howdy, SOL" replied Duane, slowly.
"Say, Sol, hear there's a gent in town
looking for me bad" ..,..-
Reckon there is, Buck" replied
White. HE came in heah ABBOTT an
hour ago. Shore he was some riled an
a-roarin' for gore. Told me confid-
entail certain party had given you a
white silk scarf, an he was hell-bent
on wearin' II home spotted red"
Anybody with him" queried Duane.
Burt an Sam Dutcalt an a little
cowpuncher never seen before. They
all was coaxin' him to leave town. But
he's looked on the flown glass, Buck,
q he,
"Why doesn't Sheriff Oaks lock him
up If he's that bad?" s.. ~
"Oake went away with the rangers.
There's been another raid at Flesher's
ranch. The King Fisher gang, likely.
An so the towns shore wide open"
Duane stalked outdoc~s and faced
down the street. He walKed the whole
length of the long block, meeting many
people-farmers, ranchers, clerks,
merchants. Mexicans, cowboys, and
women. 1t was a singular fact that
when he turned to retrace his steps the
street was almost empty. He had not
returned a hundred yards on his way
when the street was wholly deserted. A
few heads protruded from doors and
around corners. That main street Of
Wellston saw some such situation
every few days. If 1t was an instinct
for Texans to fight, it was also in
stinctive for them to sense with re-
markable quickness the signs of
coming gun-play. Rumor could not
fly so swiftly. In less than ten min
utes everybody who had been on the
street or in the shops knew that Buck
Duane had come forth to meet his
enemy. s.
Duane walked on. When he came
to within so PAGES Of a saloon he
swerved into the midd'o of the street,
stood there for moment, then went
ahead and back to the sidewalk. He
passed on ir. this way the length of the
block. Sol White was standing in the
door Of his saloon. ..
Buck, I'm a-tippin' you Off" he
said, quick and low voiced. Cali Bain's
over at Everalls. II he's a-huntin' you
bad, as he brags, he'll show there"
Duane crossed the street and started
down. Notwithstanding Whites state
ment Duane was wary and slow at ev-
cry door. Nothing happened, and he
traversed almost the whole length of
the block without seeing a person.
EveralPs place was on the corner.
Duane knew himself to be cold,
steady. He was conscious OF a strange
fury that made him want to leap ahead,
He seemed to long for this encounter
more than anything he had ever want
ed. But, vivid as were his sensations,