The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1916-12-14

oaks went away with the rangers. |
There's been another raid mt Flesher's
ranch. The King Fisher gang, likely. |
An so the towns shore wide OPEN"
Duane stalkcd outdoors and faced
down the street. He walked the whole
length Of the long block, meeting many
people-fermers, 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. II II
was an instinct for Texans to fight. II
was also instructive for them to sense
with remarkable quickness the signs
Of n coming gun.play. Rumor could
not fly so swiftly. In less than ten
minutes everybody who had been on
the street or in the shops knew that
Buck Duane had come forth to meet
his enemy.
Duane walked on. When he came
to within fifty PAGES OF n saloon he
swerved out into the middle Of the
street, TODD there for n moment. then
went ahead and back to the sidewalk.
lie passed on IN this way the length
OF the block. Sol White was standing
in the door Of his saloon.
"Buck, I'm a.tlppin' you on" he said,
quick and low-voiccd. "Cal Bain's over
ut Everall's. If he's a-huntin' you bad,
as he brags, he'll show there"
Duane crossed the street and start.
ed down. Notwithstanding Whites
statement, Duane was wary and slow
ut every door. Nothing happened, and
he traversed almost the whole length
of the block without seeing n person.
Everall's place was on the corner.
Duane knew himself to be cold,
steady. lie was conscious Of n strange
fury that made him want to leap
ahead. lie eemed to long for this en-
counter more than anything he had
ever wanted. But, vivid as were his
sensations, he felt ms IL in a dream.
Before he reached Everall's he heard
loud voices, one of which was raised
high. Then the short door swung out
ward rs II impelled by n vigorous hand.
a b~owlegged cowboy wearing woolly
chaps burst out upon the sidewalk. At
sight of Duane he seemed to bound
into the air, and he uttered a savage
oar.
Duane stopped In his tracks ut the
outer edge Of the sidewalk, perhaps u
dozen rods from Everall's door.
; II Balm was drunk he did not show
1t In his movement. He staggered
forward, rapidly closing up the gap.
Red, swenty, disheveled and hatless,
his face distorted and expressive of
the most malignant intent, he was a
wild and sinister figure. He had al
ready killed n man, and this showed in
his demcanor. His hands were extend
ed before him. the right hand n little
lower than the left. At every step he
beloved his rancor In speech mostly
curses. Gradually he slowed his walk,
, then halted. A good twenty-five PAGES
: separated the men,.
won't nothln' make you draw. you
= -" he shouted flercely.
r "I'm waitin' on you, CAL" replied
, Duane.
4 Bain's right hand stifrened-moved.
g Duane threw his gun ns u boy throws
Il ball underhand-n draw his father
had taught him. He pulled twice, lis
: shots almost as m Bain's big Colt
doomed while 1t was pointed down
: ward and he was falling. His bullet
scattered dust and gravel ut Duane's
feet. lie fell loosely. without contor
ton.
= In a flash all was reality for Duane,
t He went forward and held his gun
e ready for the slightest movement on
| the part OF Balm. But Balm lay upon
1 his back, and all that moved were
t his breast and his eyes. How strangely
the red had left his face-and also the
distortion! The devil that had showed
In Balm was gone. lie was sober and
: conscious. He tried to speak, bu,
failed. His eyes expressed something
pitifully human. They changed
rolled-set blankly.
Duane drew a deep breath ant
d sheathed his gun. He felt calm ant
cool, glad the fray was over. Che
t violent expression burst from him
@ 1.-THE fool"
When he looked up there were mer
$ around him.
"plumb center" said one.
y Another, q cowboy who e~videntl.
o had just left the gaming table. Leaned
e down and pulled open Bain's shirt
y He had the ace OF spades In his hand
r He laid II on Bain's breast, and tn,
d black figure on the card covered tn,
two bullet holes just over Balm.
heart.
p Duane wheeled and hurried away
He heard another man say:
o Reckon Cal got what he deserved
Buck Duane's first gun.play Like fa
Their like son !"
n CHAPTER u.