Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-06-22

treatin' the kid shameful. Late, Jenni,
has growed into an all fired pretty girl
an a is powerful Jealous Of her.
can see hell brewin' over there il
BANDS cabin. Thet's why 1 wish you't
come yer with me. BANDS hardly eve1
home. His wife's invited you. Shore
If she gets sweet on you, as h has
on Wal, thet'd complicate matters
But you get to see Jennie, an mebbe
You could help her. Mind, l amt hint
in nothin'; I'm just wantin' to put hel
in your way. You're a man an car
think fer yourself. 1 had a baby CIR.
once an, if she'd lived, she'd be as big
as Jennie now IN by heaven, l wouldn't
want her here in BANDS camp"
"Ill go, Euchre. Take me over" re-
piled Duane. He felt Euchre's eyes up
on him. The old outlaw, however, had
no more to say.
In the afternoon, Euchre set off with
Duane, n soon they reached BANDS
cabin. Duane remembered it 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 il was
larger and pleasantly located rather
high up in a grove of cottonWoods. In
the windows II upon the porch were
evidences of a woman's hand. Through
the open door Duane caught a glimpse
of bright Mexican blankets and rugs.
Euchre knocked upon the side of the
door,.
rs that you. Euchre?" asked a girls
voice, low, hesitatinSly. The tone of it,
rather deep n 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 Deger's. There's
! SOrphO6V sick ~ ran1ja1 tho pirI
Euchre turned and whispered some
thing about luck. The snap of the
outlaws eyes was added significance
to Duane.
Jennie, come out, or let us come in.
Here's the young mar / was tellin' you
about" Euchre said.
oh, l can't! look $3.50"
Never mind how you Sook," inter-
rupted the outlaw, in a whisper. 1T
amt no time to care fer tibet. Here's
young Duane. Jennie, he's no rustler,
no thief. He's different. Come out,
Jennie, an mebbe he'll
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
In the doorway with downcast eyes and
a stain of red in her white cheek. She
had a pretty, sad face n bright hair.
DoLl DS DdSlllll, Jellllle, Sdlu iLu-
chre. "You an Duane have a chance
to talk a little. Now, I'll go fetch Mrs.
Bland, but I won't be h%urryin'."
With that Euchre went away through
the cottonwoods.
I'm glad to meet you, Miss-Miss
Jennie" said Duane. "Euchre didn't
mention your last name. He asked me
to ONE W. to
4, Duane's attempt at pleasantly halted
short when Jennie lifted her lashes to
look at him. Some kind of a shock
went through Duane. Her gray eyes
were beautiful, but it had not been
beauty that cut short his speech. He
seemed to see a tragic struggle between
hope n doubt that shone in her pierre
ing gaze. She kept looking, and Duane
could not break the silence. 1t was
no ordinary moment.
What did you come here for?" she
asked, at last.
ITO see you." replied Duane, glad to
speak.
"Why?"
"Well-Euchre thought-he wanted
me to talk to you, cheer you up a 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 a robber or rustler or
murderer or some bad man come here
to hide?'
mo, I'm not" said Duane, irving to
smile.
"Then why are you here?"
I'm on the dodge: o know what
hat means. / got in a shooting scrape
at home and had to run off. When it
blows over 1 hope to go back"
But you can't be honest here?"
Yes, / can.
oh, 1 know what these outlaws are.
Yes. you're different" She kept the
strained gaze upon him. but hope was
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 a birth
of trust in him.
20, God! Mavhe you're the man to
save n1e-to take me away before it's
too late!"
Duane's spirit leaped.
Maybe l am" he replied, instantly.
She seemed to check a 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.
ut can't be. You're only-after me,
TOO, like Bland-l1ke all or 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. 1 believe-I know you're
good. 1t was only--I live so much in
fear-Im half ~crazy-I've almost for
gotten what good men are like. Mister
Duane, you'll help me?"
Yes, Jennie, l will. Tell me how
What must l do2- Have you any plan?'
"Oh no. But take me away
I'll try" said Duane simply. "Thar
won't be easy. though. l must have
time to think. You must help me
There are many things to consider
Horses, food, trails, and then the bes'
time to make the attempt. Are yor
watched-kept prisoner"
No. I could have run off lots o,
times. But l was afraid. I'd only
have fallen into worse hands. Eucllrs
has told me that. Mrs. Bland beat
me, half starves me, but she has KEEP
me from her husband and these othel
dogs. She's been as good &c; that, AND
I'm grateful. She hasn't done it fol