Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-09-14

Longstreth. grimiy.
II can go to Ray, tell her that. make
her believe I'd tell 1t broadcast-tell
this ranger-unless she'd marry me-"
Lawson spoke breathlessly. with hag-
gard face and Swallowed eyes. He had
no shame. He vas simply in the grip
of passion.
Longstreth gazed with dark. con-
trolled fury at this relative. In that
o Duane saw a strong, INSCRIPTIONS
man fallen into evil ways. but still a.
man. 1t betrayed Lawson to be the
seemed to see also how during all he
years of association this strong man
had upheld the weak one. But that
time had gone for ever, both in intent
on Longstreth's part and in possibility.
Lawson, like the great majority of evil
and unrestrained men or the border.
had reached a point where influence
was futile. Reason had degenerated.
He saw only himself.
But, Floyd, Rays the one person on
earth who must never know I'm a
%rustler. a thief. a red handed ruler of
the worst gang on the border" replied
Longstreth. impressively.
Floyd bowed his head at that as if
the significance had just occurred to
him. But he was not long at a loss.
Shes going to find it out soone or
later. | tell o she knows now there's
something wrong out here. She's got
eyes. Mark what say"
Ray has changed, I know. But she
hasn't any idea yet that her daddy's a
boss rustler. Rays concerned about
what she calls my duty as mayor. Also
L hin she's not satisfied with my
plantations in regard to certain Erop-
erty."
Lawson halted in his restless walk
md leaned against the stone mantel-
nJarn He InI bsc y,orI, T., 4.
lie squared himself as if this was his
last stand. He looked desperate, but
on the moment showed an absence of
ms usual nervous excitement.
"Longstreth, that may well be true"
ne said. N doubt all you say Is true.
But 1T doesn't help me. L want the.
girl. If 1 don't get her-I reckon We'll
all go to hell"
He might have meant anything, prob
ably meant the worst. He certainly
had something more in mind. Long
streth gave a slight start, barely per
ceptible, like the switch of an awak-
ening tiger. He sat there, head down,
stroking his mustache. Almost Duane
saw his thought. He had long ex-
of such emotion. He had no means to
indicate his Judgment, but his convic-
ton was that LOngstreth right then and
there decided that the thing to do was
to kill Lawson. For Duane's part he
wondered that Longstreth had not
come to such a conclusion before. Not
improbably the advent of his daughter
had put Longstreth in conflict with
himself.
Suddenly he threw off a somber cast
OF ~countenance, and he began to talk.
He talked swiftly. persuasively, yet
Duane imagined he was talking to
smooth Lawson's passion for the mo-
nHn1 woo M NO~o ~.,-ll A.
fateful significance of a line crossed, a
limit reached. a decree decided thar ii
he nae not been present. He was OBJ
sessed with himself. How, Duane
wondered. had a man OF his min ever
llVed SO long and gone so far among
the eXacting conditions of the south
west? The answer was, perhaps, that
Longstreth had guided him, upheld
him, protected him. The coming Of
Ray Longstreth had been the entering
wedge Of d~issension.
You're too Impatient" concluded
a9n hanninsss I9oual ruin any change
might be won. If o told her who I
am she'd hate you forever. She might
marry you to save me, but she'd hate
you. That isn't the way. Wait. Play
for time. Be different with her. Cut
out your drinking. She despises that.
Let's plan to sell out here-stock,
~AANA FtcpSAl ~ ledtC lle COllnJrV-
Then you'd have a show with her."
u told you we've got to stick"
growled Lawson. The gang won't
stand for our going. 1t can't be done
unless you want to sacrifice every
thing
You mean double cross the men?
Go without their knowing? Leave them
here to face whatever comes?"
Il mean Just that"
I'm bad enough. but not that bad"
returned Longstreth. "If 1 can't get
the gang to let me Off, I'll stay and
lace the music. All the same, Lawson.
dId 1t ever strike you that most of the
deals the last few years have been
yours?"
ies. IT hadn't rung them in there
wouldn't have been any. You've had
cold feet, and especially since this
ranger has been here"
Wen. call it cold feet if you like.
limit long ago. We began by rustlins
a lew cattle-at a time when rustling
was laughed at. But as our greed grew
so dld our boldness. Then came the,
gang, the regular trips. the one t..4g
ana another till, before we knew II
before knew tive had shady deals,
holdupS and murders on u record,
Ihen we had to go on. Too late to turn
back!" 0
i C we've all said that. None
or the gang wants to quit. They all
think, and l think. we can be touched.
we may be blamed, but nothing can be
proved We're too strong"
There's where you're dead rop
reJolned Longstreth, emphaticaIly. II
imagined hat once. not long ago. |
was bull headed. Who would ever con-
meet Granger Longstreth with a rustler
gang! i've changed my mind. I've
begun to think. I've reasoned ont
Things. We're crooked, and we cant
last' IT'S the nature of life. ever here,
Tor conditions to grow better. The
wise deal for us would be to divide
equally and leave the country, ali of
But you n l have all the stock
an the gam" protested Lawson.
III spit mine"
i wont-that settles that" added
Lawson, instantly. N
LonSstreth spread wide his hands as
IL 1t was useless to try to convince this
man Talking had not increased his
cailnness, and he now showed more
than lmpatlence. A dull CLINT cleaned
ueep in ms eyes.
Your stock n property will last
a Ion time-do o lots of good when
this ranger"
Bah" hoarsely croaked Lawson
Inc anger name was n match onpi;aa