The Benson signal., 1916-12-23

imagined that once, not long ago. /
| was bull-headed. Who would ever
connect Granger Longstreth with
rustler gang? I've changed my mind.
I've begun to think. I've reasoned
out things. We're crooked, and we
can't last. It's the nature of life, even
here, for conditions to grow better.
The wise deal for us would be to
divide equally and leave the country,
all of u.s.
'But you and have all the stock
all the gain," protested Lawson.
"Tll split mine."
| 'T wont-that settles that" added
Lawson, instantly.
Longstreth spread wide his hands
as if it was useless to try to convince
this man. Talk had not increased his
calmness, and he now showed more
than impatience. A dull CLINT cleaned
deep in his eyes.
"Your stock and property will last
a long time-do lots Of good when
this ranger"
| "Bah!" hoarsely croaked Lawson.
The rangers name was a match ap-
piled to powder. Haven't / told you
he'd be dead soon-any time-same
as Laramie isY'
eyes, you mentioned the-the sup
position" replied Longstreth, sarcastic
cally. II inquired, too, just how that
very desired event was to be brought
about"
''The gang will lay him out"
"Bah!" retorted Longstreth, in turn.
He laughed contemptuously.
"Floyd, don't be a fool. You've
been on the border for ten years but
you never in all that time saw q man.
like this ranger. The only way to
get rid Of him is for the gang to
draw on him, all at once. Then he's
going to drop some Of them. To tell
you the truth, wouldn't care much.
I'm pretty sick of this mess"
Lawson cursed in amazement. His
emotions were all out Of proportion
to his intelligence. He was not at
all quick-witted. Duane had never
seen a vainer or more arrogant man.
"Longstreth, don't like your talk"
he said.
eff you don't like the way talk you
know what you can do," replied Long
streth, quickly. He stood up then,
cool and quiet, with flash of eyes and
! set Of lips that told Duane he was
dangerous.
"Well, after all, that's neither here
nor there" went on Lawson, uncon-
sciously cowed by the other. '"The
thing is, do get the girl2"
'Not by any means except her CON
sent"
you'll make her marry me?"
"No. No." replied Longstreth, his
voice still cold, low-pitched.
"All right. Then I'll make her"
Evidently Longstreth understood
| the man before him so we'll that he
wasted no more words. Duane knew
what Lawson never dreamed of, and
that was that Longstreth had a gum
somewhere within reach and meant
to use it. Then heavy footsteps
| sounded outside tramping upon the
porch. Duane believed those foot
steps saved LawsOn's life.
"There they are" said Lawson, and
he opened the door.
Five masked men entered. They
all wore coats hiding any weapons.
A big man with burly shoulders
shook hands with Longstreth, and the
| others stood back.
changed. Lawson might have been a
| nonentity for all he counted. Long
streth was another mana stranger
to Duane. If he had entertained a
hope of freeing himself from this
band, Of getting away to a safer
country, he abandoned it at the very
sight of these men. There was power
here, and he was bound.
The big man spoke in low, hoarse
whispers, and at this all the others
gathered around him close to the
table. There were evidently some
signs Of membership not plain to
Duane. Then all the heads were
bent over the table. Low voices
spoke, queried, answered, argued.
By straining his ears Duane caught
word here and there. They were
planning, and they were brief. Duane
gathered they were to have a rendez-
vOuS at or near Ord.
Then the big man, who evidently
was the leader of the present con-
vention, got up to depart. He went
as swiftly as he had come, and was
followed by his comrades. Longstreth
prepared for a quiet smoke. Lawson
seemed uncommunicative and un-
sociable. He smoked fiercely and
drank continually. All at once he
Strengthened up as if listening.
"What's that?" he called suddenly.
Duane's strained ears were pervad-
ed by a slight rustling sound.
"Must be a rat" replied Longstreth.
The rustic became a rattle.
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