The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-07-06
CHAPTER yuI-(Continued).

She embraced him, and the sudden,
violent unfamiliar contact sent such q
shock through him that he all but for
got the deep game he was playing. She,
his shrinking. From her embrace and
the tender, incoherent words that flow
ed with It he gathered that Euchre had
acquainted her of his action with Black.
He might have killed you'll! she
whispered, more clearly: and IL Duane
had ever heard love In a voice he heard
Il then. II softened him. After all, she
was a woman, weak, fated through her
nature, unfortunate in her experience or
life doomed to unhappiness and trag-
edy. EIe met her advance so far that he
retuT1ad the embrace and kissed her.
Erao,o On such as she showed would
hayy made any woman sweet, and she
had !, certain charm. 1t was easy, even
plescS Mt, to kiss her; but Duane resolv-
cd Tt whateved her abandonment
might become, he would go no further
than the lie she made him act.
Buck, you love meT" she whispered.
"Yes-yes," he burst out eager to get
70 over, and even as he spoke he caught
the pale CLEAN Of Jennie's face through
the window. He felt shame he was
glad she could not see. Did she remem-
Der that she had promised not to mis-
understand any action Of his? What
did she think Of him, seeing him out
there in the dusk with this bold woman
in his arms? Somehow that dim sight
Of Jennie's pale face, the big dark eyes,
thrilled him, inspired him to his hard
task Of the present.
/ "Iisten, deer" he said to the woman,
and he meant his words for the girl.
I'm going to take you away from this
outlaw den IL have to kill Bland, ALI
oway. Rugg-anybody who stands In
my path. You were dragged here. You
are good know II. There's happiness
for you somewhere homo among
good people who will care for you. Just
, wait till"
His voice trailed off and failed from
excess Of emotion. Kate Bland closed
her eyes and leaned her head on his
breast. Duane felt her heart beat
against his, conscience smote him a
keen blow. II she loved him so muchl
But memory and understanding or her
character hardened him again, and he
gave her such commiseration as was
due her sex, and no more.
Soy that's good Of you." she whis-
Der ID, but it's too late, I'm done for.
can leave Bland. All ask is that you
love ne a little and stop ysur gun
thro, Ing"
ThJ moon had risen over the eastern
bulge of dark mountain, and now the
valley was flooded with mellow light,
against the silver.
Suddenly the clip-clop, clip-clop Of
hoofs caused Duane to rise his head and
listen. Horses were coming down the
road from the head Of the valley. The
hour was unusual for riders to come in.
Presently the narrow, moonlit lane was
crossed at it's far end by black moving
objects. Two horses Duane discerned.
IT'S Bland!" whispered the woman,
grasping Duane with shaking hands.
you must runl No, he'd see you. That
d be worse. It's Bland! know his
horses trot."
but you said he wouldn't mind my
calling here" protested Duane,
"Euchre's with me. it'll be all right"
Maybe So" she replied, with visible
effort at self-control. Manlfestly she
had a great fear Of Bland. IF could
only think"
Then she dragged Duane to the door.
pushed him in. ....
you stay with the girl! I'll tell Bland
you're in love with her. Jen, IL you give
US away I'll wiring your neck"
The swift action and fierce whisper
told Duane that Mrs. Bland was her
self again. Duane stepped close to Jen-
ME, who stood near the window. Meth
or SPOKE, but her hands were out
sman trembling hands, cold as ice. He
held them close, trying to convey what
he felt--that he would protest her. She
leaned against him, and they looked
out Of the window. Duane felt calm and
sure of himself. His most pronounced
feeling besides that for the frightened
girl was a curiosity as to how Mrs,
Bland would rise to the occasion. He
saw the riders dismount down the lane
and YEARLY come forward. A boy led
away the horses. Euchre, the old fox,
was talking loud and with remarkable
ease, considering what he claimed was
his natural cowardice.
that was way back In the '60c
about the time Of the war;" he was
saying "Rustlin' cattle wasn't nuthin'
then TO what IL is now. An times Is
rougher these days. This THROWN
has come to be a disease. Men have an
itch for the draw same as they used
to have fer poker. The only real gambler
outside Of greasers we ever had here
was Bill, an presume Bill Is burnin'
now" rs# &- N
The approaching outlaws, hearing
voices, halted rod or so from the
porch. Then Mrs. Bland uttered an ex-
clamation, ostensibly meant to express
surprise and hurried out to meet them.
She greeted her husband warmly and
gave welcome to the other man. Duane
could not see well enough in the shadow
to recognize BANDS companion, but
he believed II was Alloway.
Dog tired we are and starved" said
Bland, reavily. who's here with you.
Thu IS Euchre on the porch. Duane
is inssI at the window with Jen," re-
plioo RS. Bland. ...-
"Dl.G le!" he exclaimed. Then he
whi3TG ed low--something Duane could
not 81 III.
"VT asked him to come" said
the chiefs wife. She spoke easily and
naturally and made no change
In tone. "Jen has been ailing. She
gets thinner and whittier every day.
Duane came here one day with Euchre.
saw Jen, and went loony over her
pretty face. same as all you men. SO
let him come" #"
Bland cursed low and deep under MS
breath. The other man made violent
action Of some kind and apparently
was quieted by q restraining hand.
Kate you let Duane make love to
Jennie7" queried Bland, incredulously.
Yes, I did," replied tho wife stub
bornly. why notf Jen's In love with
him. II he takes her away and mar
ries her she can be q decent woman"
Bland kant silent A moment. then his