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

7
the hour had arrived, and he was
| ready. He understood perfectly the
! DESPERATE chances he must take. His
| thoughts became confined to Euchre
| and the surprisingly loyalty and good
| ness in the hardened old outlaw. Ilme
! passed slowly Duane kept glancing at
/ his watch He hoped to start the thing
and get away before the outlaws We're
| out OF their beds. Finally he heard the
! shuttle of Euchre's boots on the hard
! path The sound was quicker tnan
| usual.
| When Euchre came around the cor
| ner of the cabin Duane was not so
astounded as he was concerned to see
! the outlaw white and shaking. sweat
| dripped from him. He had wild look.
| "Luck's -so-fur, Buck" he
painted,
I'm turrible sick. Jest killed man.
Fust one l ever killed."
Who" asked Duane, startled.
"Jackrahbit Benson. An sick as I
! am. I'm sloryin' in it. / went nosin'
round up the road. Saw Alloway goin'
| into Deger's. He's thick with the
| Degers. Reckon he's askin questions.
away from BANDS. An he didn't see
me. When l dropped into Bensons
| there wasn't nobody there but Jackrab-
bit an some greasers he was startin
to work. Benson never had no use fer
me. An he Up an said he wouldn't
give two-bit piece Ter my life. 1
asked him why.
YOU'RE double crossin' the boss an
Chess he said.
Jack, what'd you give fer your
own life? l asked him.
He Strengthened up surprised an
mean loollin'. An l let him have it,
plumb center! He wilted, an the
7 IL
again. But I had to do it"
Duane asked if the shot had at
tracted any attention outside.
i didn't see anybody but the greas-
eTs, an l sure looked sharp. Comm
back l cut across through the cotton
woods past Bland's cabin. l meant to
keep out of sight, but somehow l had
an idee / might find out if Bland was
awake yet. Sure enough, l run plumb
into Beppo, the boy who tends BANDS
bosses. Beppo likes me- An when l.
inquired of his boss he said Bland had
been up all night fightin' with the
sonora. An. Buck, here's how l figger.
Bland couldn't let up last night He
was sore, an he went after Kate again.
tryin' to wear her down. Jest as likely
he might have went after Jennie, with
wuss intentions. Anyway, he an Kate
must have had it hot an heavy. We're
pretty lucky"
Tt seems so. Well, I'm going" said
Duane, tersely.
Lucky! 1 should smile! BANDS
been up all night after most draggin
ride home. He'll be tagged out this
mornin, sleepy, sore, an he won't be
eNpectin' hell before breakfast. Now
you walk over to his house. Meet him
how you like Thet's your game. But
I'm suggestin', if he comes out an you
want to parley, you can jest say you'd
thought over his proposition an was
ready to join his band, or you amt.
You'll have to kill him, an It'd save
time to go fer your gun on sight. Might
be wise, too, fer it's likely he'll do tibet
same"
How about the horses 2"
III fetch them an come along about
two minutes behind you. Pears to me
you ought to have the job done an
Jennie outside by the time 1 git
there. Once on them bosses, we
way or anybody else gifts into
action. Jennie amt much heavier'n a
rabbit. Thet big black will carry YOU
both"
"All right. But once more let me per-
suade you to stay-not TO mix any more
In this" said Duane, earnestly.
Nope. I'm goin' You heard what
Benson told me. Alloway wouldn't give
me the benefit Of any doubts. Buck,
last wQrd-look out fer thet Bland wo-
man."
Duane merely nodded, and then, say
ing that the horses We're ready he
strede away through the grove. Ac-
counting for the short cut across ross grove
and field, it was about five minutes
walk IN to BANDS house. 70 Duane it
seemed long in time and distance and
he had difficulty in restraining his pace.
AS he walked there came a gradual and
subtle change in his feelings. Again he
n ~ fn onf.f
He could have avoided this meeting. But
despite the fact Of his counting the
encounter he had not as yet felt that
hot, inexplicable rush Of blood. The
motive of this deadly action was not
personal, and somehow that made a
difference.
No outlaws were in sight. He saw
several Mexican Gerders with cattle.
Blue columns Of smoke curled up over
some OF the cabins. The fragrant smell
of 1t reminded Duane Of his home and
cutting wood for the stove. He noted a
cloud OF creamy mist rising above the
river, dissolving in the sunlight.
Then he entered BANDS lane.
While yet some distance from tho
cabin he heard loud, angry voices Of
man and woman. Bland and Kate still
quarrellng! He took a quick survey OF
the surroundings. There was now not
even Mexican in sight. Then he hur-
e1So q little. halfway QOWn the lane he
turned his head to peer through the
cottonwoods. This time he saw Eucher
coming with the horses. There was no
indication that the old outlaw might
lose his nerve at the end. Duane had
feared this
Duane now changed his walk to a
lelsurely saunter. He reached the porch
and then distinguished what was said
inside the cabin. e
IF you do, Bland, by heaven I'll
fix you and her!" That was painted out
i'll Kate BANDS full voice.
Let me loose! I'm going in there, l
tell you!' replied Bland. hoarsely.
What for?D
Il want to make little love to her.
fda! hal 1t II be fun to have the laugh
on her new lover"
You lie!" cried Kate Bland.
I'm not saying what Tn do to her
afterwards" His voice grew hoarser
with passion. Let me go now!''
No! ne! won't let you go. You'll
choke the-the truth out of her--you'll
kill her"
THE truth" hissed Bland