The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-06-22

kept Bland an the other men from
treatin' the kid shameful. Late, Jennie
has growed into an all fired pretty girl,
an Kate Is powerful jealous OF her' Il
can see hell brewin' over there IN
BANDS cabin. Thet's why wish you'd
come over with me. BANDS hardly ever
home. His wife's invited you. shore,
If she gets sweet on you, as she mas
on Wal, thet'd complicate matters.
But you get to see Jennie, an meobe
you could help her. Mind, amt mint
in nothin'; I'm just wantin' to put her
in your way. You're man an can
think fer yourself. had a baby girl
once an, IL shed lived, she'd be as Dig
as Jennie now an by heaven, wouldn't
want her here in BANDS camp"
"Pll go, Euchre. Take me over" re-
piled Duane. He felt Euchre's eyes up :
on him. The old outlaw, however, mad
no more to say.
In the afternoon, Euchre set off with
Duane, and soon they reached Bland
| cabin. Duane remembered 1t as the
one where he had seen the pretty wom-
an watching him ride by. He could
not recall what she looked like. The
cabin was the same as the other adobe
structures in the valley, but 1t was
larger and pleasantly located rather
| high up in grove OF cottonwoods. In
| the windows and upon the porch were
| evidences of a woman's hand. Through
/
| OF bright Mexican blankets and rugs.
! Euchre knocked upon the side OF the
door. .
| 'Is that you, Euchre?" asked q girls
voice, low, hesitatingly. The tone of it,
rather deep and with a note Of fear,
struck Duane. He wondered what she
would be like.
"Yes, it's me, Jennie. Where's Mrs.
Bland?" answered Euchre.
she went over to Degers. There's
somebody SICK" replied the girl.
| Euchre turned and whispered some
thing about luck. The snap OF the
outlaws eyes was added significance
to Duane. r.- - ....
Jennie. come out, or let us come in.
Here's the young man I was tellin' you
about" Euchre said. "
"Oh, / cantl look $3.50" b..
Never mind how you book" inter-
rupted the outlaw, in a whisper. 1T
young Duane. Jennie, he's no rustler,
no thief. He's different. Come out,
Jennie, an mebbe he'll" ........r..
Euchre did not complete his SEN
| tence. He had spoken low, with his
glance shifting from side to side.
But what he said was sufficient to
bring the girl quickly. She appeared
a stain of red in her white cheek. She
had a pretty, sad face and bright hair.
Don't be bashful, Jennie" said Eu-
chre. You an Duane have q chance
to talk a little. Now, I'll go fetch Mrs.
Bland, but won't be hurryin'."
With that Euchre went away through
the cottonwoods. .r.. ...'
'Pm glad to meet you. Miss-Miss
Jennie" said Duane. "Euchre didn't
mention your last name. He asked me
| to come over to" .....- .-..-
Duane's attempt at pleasantly halted
-. n. a.
look at him. Some kind Of q shock
went through Duane. Her gray eyes
were beautiful, but 1t had not been
beauty that cut short his speech. He
seemed to see a tragic struggle between
hope and doubt that shone In her pierre
ing gaze. She kept looking, and Duane
could not. break the silence. 1t was
what did you come here for?" she
asked, at last.
"To see YOU" replied Duane, glad to
speak.
"why?"
"Weil-Euchre thought-he wanted
me to talk to you, cheer you up bit"
repliedsDuane, somewhat lamely. The
earnest eyes embarrassed him.
"Euchre's good. He's the only per-
son in this awkward place who's been
good to me. But he's afraid of Bland.
He said you were different. Who are
your"
Duane told her.
You're not q robber or rustler or
murderer or some bad man come here
to hide?"
mo, I'm not" said Duane. trying to
smile.
"Then why are you here?" .-..
I'm on the dodge. You know what
that means. got in a shooting scrape
at home and had to run off. When it
blows over I hope to go back"
But you can't be honest here?"
Yes, can. .... -....... ....
ooh, know what these outlaws are.
Yes, you're different" She kept the
kindling, and the hard lines Of her
youthful face were softening.
Something sweet and warm stirred
deep in Duane as he realized the UNI
fortunate girl was experiencing birth
of trust in him.
20. God! Maybe you're the man to
save me-to take me away before It's
too late!"
Duane's spirit leaped.
Maybe / am" he replied, instantly.
She seemed to check q blind impulse
to run into his arms. Her cheek
famed, her lips quivered, her bosom
swelled under her ragged dress. Then
the glow began to. fade; doubt once
more assailed her.
ct can't be. You're only-after me,
too, like Bland--like all Of them"
Duane's long arms went out and his
hands clasped her shoulders. He shook
her.
"Look at me-straight in the eye.
There are decent men. Haven't you
a father-a brother?"
They're dead-killed by. raiders. We
lived in Dimmit county. I was carried
away" Jennie replied, hurriedly. She
put up an appealing hand to him. For
give me. believe-I know you're
good. 1t was only live so much In
| fear-Pm half crazy-rve almost for
gotten what good men are like. Mister
Duane, you'll help me?" -...
Eyes, Jennie, I will. Tell me how.
What must do? Have you any plan?''
"Oh no. But take me away"
I'll try" said Duane simply. THAT
won't be easy. though. I must have
time to think. You must help me.
There are many things to consider.
Horses, food, trails, and then the best
time to make the attempt. Are you
watched-kept prisoner"
mo. could have run off lots Of
times. But I was afraid. I'd only
have fallen into worse hands. Euchre
has told me that. Mrs. Bland beats
me, half starves me, but she has kept
me from her husband and these other
L n ~. - <.ZI L1aAA -