The Huttig news., 1916-11-11

Strainedly.
 'Humph again Laramie, like every other fellow I met in this town, you're afraid to open your trap about Longstreth. Get me straight, Lara- mic. For cause I'd throw gun on him just as quick as on any rustler in Pecos."
 Talks cheap" replied Laramie, making light of his buster but the red was deeper in his face.
 Sure I know that Duane said. And usually I don't talk Then it's not well known that Longstreth owns the Hope So?"
 Reckon it's known in Pccos. all right But Longstreth's name isn't connected with the Hope Sc. Blandy runs the place"
 "That Blandy. His faro gamo's crooked. or I'm loeoed bronch. That Hope So place ought to be run hy a good fellow like you, Laramie"
 Thanks" replied he; and Duane imagined his voice little husky. "Didn't you hear l used to-rdn it? I built the place, owned it for eleven years"
 "Well. I'll be doggoned." Ii was indeed Duane's turn to be surprised. and with the surprise came elim- mering. 'Im sorry you're not there now. Did you sell out?'
 "No. Just lost the place."
 Laramie was bursting for relief now-to talk, to tell. Sympathy had made him soft. "It was two years ago-two years last March," he went on. "I was in q big cattle deal with Longstreth. We got tine stock-an my share, eighteen hundred head, was rustled eff. l owed Longstreth He pressed me. It came to law sultan Twas ruined"
 It hurt Duane to look at Laramie. He was white, and tears rolled down his cheeks. Duane saw the bitterness. the defeat, the agony of the man. But the reason he did not openly ae- euse Longstreth, the secret of his reticence and fear-these Duane thought best to try to learn at some later time.
 Hard luck It certainly was tough" Duane said. "But you're a good loser. And the wheel turnsi Now, Laramie, heres what. l need your advice. I've got little money. But before I lose it I want to invest some. Buy some stock, or buy an interest in some rancher's herd. Sure you must know q couple of men above suspicion"
 "Thank God I do he replied, feelneiy. Frank Morton an Si Trimmer, my friends an neighbors all my prosperous days, an friends still. You can gamble on Frank an Si. But if you want advice from me don't invest money ill stock now.
 "Why?"
 Because any new feller buyin stock these days will be rustled quick CT n he csn say Jack Robinson. The old ranehers are wise an sore. They'd fight if they"
 "WhatY Duane put in as he paused .N'hat 'd make them fight?"
 "A leader"
 "Howdy thar, Jim" boomed big voice.
 A man of great bulk, with a ruddy, merry face, entered the room.
 Hello, Norton replied Laramie.
 ''Fd introduce you to my guest here, but I don't know his name."
 'Haw! Haw! Thets all right. Few men out hyar go by their right names."
 Say, Morton" put in Duane, Lar annie gave me a huneh you'd be good man to tie to. Now, I've little money and before l lose it I'd like to invest it in stock"
 Morton smiled bros dly.
 I'm on the square" Duane said, bluntly. "If you fellows never size up your neighbors any better than you have sized newell you won't get any richer"
 It 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 flat  footed, you'd be foolish to buy cattle now. Better go back across the Pecos where the rustlers aint so strong"
 "All I hear is rustlers, Norton" re- piled Duane. with impatience. You see. 1 haven't ever lived long in rustler-run county. Who heads the gang, anywayY'
 Morton looked at Duane with cur iously amused smile. then snapped his big jaw as if to shut in iMpulsive words.
 Look here, Morton. It 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 lot of men around Fairdale who re afraid of their shadows afraid to be olt 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, I reckon I do," he replied, looking as if storm had blown over him. Stranger. I'll look you up the next lime I come to town"