The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1916-10-12

the defeat, the agony OF the man,
But the reason he did not openly &C
cuse Longstreth, the secret Vi his
reticence and fear-these duane
thought best to try to learn at some
later time.
lizard luck! It certainly was
tough" Duane said. "But you re
good loser. And the wheei Turns
Now, Laramie, here's what. heeu
your advice. I've got little hlohey'
But before lose it | want TO lnVeS'
some. Buy some stock. or ouy an
interest in some ranchers nelu'
Sure you must know couple OF men
above suspicion"
"Thank God l do" he replied
feelingly. Frank Morton an 81
thinner, my friends an neighbors all
my prosperous days, an friends SILL
You can gamble on Frank an 81
But if you want advice from me
don't invest money in stock now.
"WhyY
Because any new Teller buyln
stock these days will be rustled quick
er n he can say Jack Robinson. Inc
old ranchers are wise an sore
They'd fight if they
"What?" Duane put in as ne
paused. "What d make them hght!
"a leader"
"Howdy thar, jim" doomed a big
voice.
A man of great bulk, with ruddy'
merry face, entered the room.
Hello, Norton" replied Laramie
I'D introduce you to my guest here
but l don't know his name"
"Haw! Haw! Thet's all right. Few
men out hyar go by their right
names"
"Say, Morton" put in Duane. Lar
annie gave me a bunch you'd be a
good man to tie to. Now, I've little
money and before lose it I'd like to
invest it in stock"
Morton smiled broadly.
'I'm on the square," Duane said
bluntIy. eff you fellows never size up
your neighbors any better than you
have sized newell, you won't get
any richer
1t was enjoyment for Duane to
make his remarks to these men
pregnant with meaning. Morton
showed his pleasure, his interest, but
his faith held aloof.
"Wal, stranger, to come out nat
footed, you'd be foolish to buy cattle
now. Better go back across the Pecos
where the rustlers amt so strong"
Cali / hear is rustlers, Morton" re-
piled Duane, with impotence. "You
see, 1 haven't ever lived long in a
rustler-run county. Who heads the
gang, anyway"
Morton looked at Duane with cur
iously amused smile, then snapped his
big Jaw as if to shut in impulsive
words.
"Look here, Morton. 1t stands to
reason, no matter how strong these
rustlers are, how hidden their work
however involved with supposedly
honest men-they can't last. There
are q lot of men around Fairdale who
re afraid of their shadOws-afraid to
be ont after dark-afraid to open
their mouths. But you're not one
What you need out here is some new
blood. Savvy what I mean?"
"Wal, 1 reckon 1 do he replied
looking as if a storm hat clown over
him. stranger, I'll Look you up the
next time 1 come to town."
Then he went out.
Laramie had eyes like flint striking
fire. He breathed a deep breath and
looked around the room before his
gaze fixed again on Duane.
"Wal," he replied, speaking low
"You've picked the right men. Now
who in the hell are yOu?"
Reaching into the inside pocket OF
his buckskin vest, Duane turned the
lining out. A star-shaped bright silver
object flashed as he showed it, pocket
and all, under Jim's hard eyes.
"Ranger!" he whispered, cracking
the table with his fist. "You sure
rung true to me-"
Laramie, do you know who's boss
of this secret gang of rustlers here
abouts?" asked Duane, bluntly. II