The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1916-08-31
CHAPTER Xv.-(Continued).

| her. 1t was only a few steps to a
| couch, to which he half led, half car
| rled her. Then he rushed out of the
! room, across the patio. through the bar
to the yard. Nevertheless. he was eau
tious. In the gloom stood a saddled
horse, probably the one belonging to
the fellow he had shot. His comrade
had escaped. Returning to the sitting
room, Duane found condition APP
preaching pandemonium.
The innkeeper rushed in, pitchfork in
hands. Evidently he had been out at
the barn. He was now shouting to find
out what had happened. Joel, the stage
driver. was trying to quiet the men
who had been robbed. The woman, wife
of one of the men, had come in and
she had Mysteries. The girls We're still
and white. The robber Bill lay where
he had fallen. and Duane guessed he
had made fair shot, after all. And,
lastly, the thing that struck Duane
most of all was LongStreth's rage. He
never saw such passion. Like a Gagged
lion Longstreth stalked and roared.
There came quieter moment in which
the innkeeper shrilly protested:
Man, wfat're you ravin' ABBOTT? No
body's hurt, an thet'S lucky. l swear
to God hadn't nothin to do with them
fellers!"
Il ought to kill you anyhow" re-
piled Lonsstrcth. And his voice now
astounded Duane, it was so full Of
power.
Upon examination, Duane found that
his bullet had furroWed the robbers
temple, torn great piece out of his
scalp and, as Duane had guessed, had
glanced. He was not seriously injured,
and already showed signs of returning
consciousness.
Longstreth; and he turned to his
daughter.
Before the innkeeper reached the
robber, Duane had secured the money
and gun taken from him; and presently
recovered the property of the other
men. Joel helped the innkeeper carry
the injured man somewhere outside.
Miss LongStreth was sitting. white
but composed, upon the couch, where
lay Miss Ruth, who evidently had been
carried there by the colonel. Duane did
not think she had wholly lost con-
seriousness, and now she lay very still,
with eyes dark and shadowy, her face
pallid and wet. The colonel, now that
he finally remembered his womenfolk,
seemed to be gentle and kind. He talked
soothingly to Miss Ruth, made light OF
the adventure. said she must learn to
have nerve out here where things hap
pened.
Can l be of any service?" asked Du-
ane, solicitously.
4 GUESS LiiGIG ilOlIlHS you
can do. Talk to these frightened girls
while | go see what's to be done with
that thick slSulled robber," he replied,
and, telling the girls that there was no
more danger, he went out.
Miss Longstreth sat with one hand
holding her torn waist in place; the
other she extended to Duane He took
thrill.
You saved MY life" she said, in
grave, sweet seriousness.
mo, no." Duane exclaimed. HE
might have struck you, hurt you, but
no more"
thought I had jew-ls under my dress.
couldn't bear his touch. The beast!
I'd have fought. Surely my life was in
peril"
Did you kill him?" asked MISS Ruth,
who lay listening.
"Oh, no. He's not badly hurt"
I'm very glad he's alive" said Miss
Longstreth, shuddering.
My intention was bad enough"
Duane went on. 1t was a ticklish
place for me. You see, he was half
drunk. and l was afraid his gun might
go off. Fool careless he was!"
ct you say YOU didn't save me"
Miss Longstreth returned, quickly.
We'll, let it go at that" Duane re-
sponded. II saved you something"
Tell me about 1t 2" asked Miss Ruth,
who was fast recovering.
Father embarrassed Duane briefly
told the incident from his point Of
view
Then you stood there all the time
with your hands up thinking Of Moth
ing--watching for nothing except a
little moment when you might draw
your gum" asked Miss Ruth.
Il guess that's about it, he replied.
Cousin" said Miss Longstreth
thoughtfully, "it was fortunate for us
that this gentleman happened to be
here. Papa scouts-laughs at danger.
He seemed to think there was no dam
ger. Yet he raved after it came
Go with us all the way to Fairdale-
please ~ asked Miss Ruth. sweetly Of
fering her hand. Il am Ruth Herbert
And this is my cousin. Ray Long
streth.''
I'm travelling that way" replied
Duane in great confusion He did not
know how to meet the situation.
Colonel Longstreth returned then,
sn7 after bidding Duane good night,
which seemed rather curt by contrast
to the graciousness Of the girls, he
led them away.
q Before going to bed Duane went OUT
side to ask him few questions. To
Duane's surprise, he was gone, and so
was his horse. The innkeeper was
dumfounded. He said that he left the
fellow on the floor in the barroom
Had he come to-" inquired Duane
Sure. He asked for whisky"
did he say anything else?"
Not to me. heard him talkin. to
the lather Of them girls
Yor mean Colonel Longstreth?"
Il reckon. He sure was some riled,
wasn't he? Jest as if was to blame
fer that two bit Of ho1dup!'
w Hat did you make Of the old gent $
rage ~ asked Duane, watching the inn
Keeper. Fle scratched his head dubi-
sously. He was sincere, and Duane be-
lieyed in his honesty.
Wal. I'm doggoned if I know what
TO make Of it. But ] reckon he's either
scslhzy or, got more nerve than most
Exams sssa
lore nerve, maybe. Duane replied.
IS how me bed now, innkacper"
Once In bed In the dark, Duane COM
posed himself to think over the several
srvents OF the evening. He called UP
the details OF the hoIdup and carefully
reyolved thorn in mind The colonePs
wrath. under circumstances where al
most any Texan would have been cool,
nonplussed Duane, and he put III down
TO q cholertc temperament. He pom
dered long on the action of the robbNr
hem II - h,,r..<