The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1916-07-06
CHAPTER EuI-(continued).

She embraced him. and the sudden,
violent, unfamiliar contact sent such 3
shock through him that he ell but for
got the deep game he was playing. She,
however, in her agitation did not notice
his shrinking. From her embrace and
the tender, incoherent words that flow
ed with il he gathered that Euchre had
acquainted her of his action with Black.
He might have killed you," she
whispered, more clearly; and if Duane
had ever heard love in 4 voice he heard
IL then. II softened him. After all, she
was q woman, weak. fated through her
nature, unfortunate in her experience OF
life, doomed TO unhappineSs and srag-
returned the embrace and kissed her.
Emotion such as she showed would
have made any woman sweet, and she
had A certain charm. 1t was easy. even
pleasant, TO kiss her; but Duane resolv
ed that whateyed her abandonment
might become, he would go no further
than the lie she made him act.
Buck, you love me?' she whispered.
''Yes-yes," he burst out, eager TO get
is over, and even as he spoke he caught
the pale CLEAN of Jetrlie's face through
the window. He felt shame he was
glad she could not see. Did she remem-
per 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.
Listen. dear" he said to the woman,
and he meant his words for the girl.
I'm going to take you away from this
outlaw den if have to kill Bland, All
oway, Rugg-anybody who Stands in
my path. You were dragged here. You
are good know it. There's happiness
for you somewhere home among
good people who viii 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. If she loved him SO much,
But memory and understanding of her
character hardened him again, and he
gave her such commiseration as was
due her sex, and no more.
boy, that's good OF YOU she whis-
pered, but it's too late. I'm done for. l
can't leave Bland. All I ask is that you
love me a little and stop your gun
throwing"
The moon had risen over the eastern
bulge Of dark mountain, and now the
valley was flooded with mellow light,
and shadows of cottonwoods wayered
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 its far end by black moving
objects. Two horses Duane discerned.
SITS Bland!" whispered the woman,
grasping Duane with shaking hands.
you must run! No. he'd see you. That
d be worse It's Bland. I know his
horses trot."
But you said he wouldn't mind my
calling here" protested Duane.
''Euchres with me. TIN be all tight"
effort at self-control. AIanffestly she
had a great fear of Bland. If 1 could
only Think"
Then she dragged Duane to the door,
pushed him In.
'Euchre, come out with me! Duane
you stay with the girl! Til tell Bland
you're in love with her. Jen, II 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
err spoke, but her hands were OUT
stretched to meet his own. They were
small, 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 salm and
sure Of himself. Els most pronounced
feeling besides that for the frightened
girl was curiosity as to how Mrs.
Bland would rise to the occasion. He
saw the riders disniount 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 1t is now. An times is
rougher these days. This gan 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.
The approaching outlaws, hearing
voices, halted a rod or SO from the
porch. Then Mrs. Bland uttered an ex
I clanation oatensihly 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 It was Alloway.
- Dog tired we are and starved" said
That's Euchra on the porch Duane
Is inside at the window with Jen,s re-
Piled Mrs. Bland ;545s
Duane!" he exclaimed. Then he
whispered low something Duane could
not catch. 4
I Why, asked him to come said
4 the chiefs wife. She spoke easily and
4 naturally and made no change
g. In tone Jen has been ailing. she
1 gets thinner end whittier every day.
Duane came here one day with Euchre,
I saw JeE, and went ioony over her
pretty face, same as all you men. So
let him COME
Bland cursed low and deep under lis
Ii breath. The other man made violent
Il action Of some kind and apparently
I vas as quiete6 by restraining hand.
Is ate, YOU let Duane make love to
II enIaIe ?s qneried Bland. increduloslsly
es, did z replied the wife stub
a pornl lly not3 Jen's IN love with
4 nlls, Il he takes her away ana mar
4 ries her she can be decent woman, 3
Bland kept silent moment. then his
4 iai'er pealed out loud ana h;irsl1
hess, did yosl got that? Well, BY
4 SSodi what do YOU think oss my wife r.
he's lytn. or she's crazy, replied