Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1916-08-09

CHAPTER xIIl-(continued).


Toward afternoon. from the top of 9
Gag hill, Duane saw the green field
nnd trees and shining roofs of Il tow
he considered must be Shirley. And ut
the bottom Of the hill he came upon III
lntersccting road. There was a placard
Hdiied on the crCSSrOad sign post.
Duane drew rein near it and leaned
close to read the faded print. Isl .00O
reward for Buck Duane. dead or alive
Ionling closer to read the finer, more
faded print, Duane learned that he was
wanted for the murder of Mrs. Jeff Ak
en at her ranch near Shirley. The
month September was named, but the
date Was ilIegible. The reward was of
ferea by the woman's husband. whose
name appeared with that of a sheriff's
n the bottom of the p,acard.
Duane read the thing twice. When he
strengthened he was sick with the hor-
ron of his fate, wild with passion at
those misguided fools who could believe
that he y harmed a woman. Then he
remembered Kate Bland, and, as always
when she returned to him, he quaked
inwardiy. Wears before word had gone
abroad that he had killed her, and so
it was easy for men wanting to fix a
crime TO name him. Perhaps it had
been lone often. Probably he bore on
cranes.
A dark, passionate fury possessed
him. VI shook him like n storm shakes
the oak. When it passed, leaving him
cold. with clcuded brow n piercing
eye. his mine was set. Squirting his
Torso, he rode straight OWard the viii
lage.
Shirley appeared to be a large, pre-
tentious country town. A branch of
some rainrcad terminated there. The
marin street was wide, bordered by trees
and cnmnlodious houses, and many of
q .:~1. A -- ,1-.~
shaded by giant cottonwood trees Oc-
cupied Il central location.
Duane pulled his running horse and
halted him, plunging and snorting, be-
fore a group of idle men who lounged
t. n benches in the shade of a spreading
cottonwood. How many times had
Duane seen just that kind of lazy shirt
sieeved Texas group. Not often, how
ever. had he seen such placid, lolling.
sood-natured men change their eX-
preston. their attitude SO swiftly. His
advent apparently was momentous.
They evidently took him for an unusual
visitor. So far as Duane could tell, not
one of them recognized him, had a hint
of his identity.
He slid OFF his horse and threw the
bride.
I'm Buck Duane" he said. II saw
that placari-out there on a sign post.
IT'S q damn lie! Somebody find this
man Jeff Aiken. want to see him."
His announcement was taken in alb
solute silence. That was the only effect
ne. noted. for he avoided looking at
these villagers. The reason was simple
enough: Duane felt himself overcome
with emotion. There were tears in his
eyes. He sat down on a bench, put his
elbows on his knees and his hands to
his lace. For once he had absolutely no
concern Tor his fate. This ignominy was
the last straw.
Presently, however, he became aware
Of scme kind of commotion among the
villagers. He heard whisperings, low,
hoarse voices. then the shuttle of rapid
feet moving away. All at once a violent
hand ie-iled his II from it's holster.
When Duan rose a gaunt man. livid
OF face- shaking like a leaf. confronted
him, with his own gun.
'HandS up, thar, you Buck Duane!"
ne roared, waving the gun.
That appeared to be the cue for pan
I@Blonium to break loose Duane opened
his lips to speak. but if he had yelled
at ne top of his lungs ne could not have
msl8c himself heard. In weary disgust
he cooked at the gaunt man, and then
at the others, who were working them
selves into a frenzy. He mad no move.
however, to hold up his hands. The
villagers surrounded him, emboldened
by finding him 10 unarmed. The
several men lay hold of his arms and
HlftlOtStt tI.G1Al SllilC HIS OdCh. RESIST.
ancc was useless even il Duane had had
the spirit. Some one of them fetched his
halter from his saddle, and with this
they bound him helpless.
People We're running now from the
street. the stores, the houses. Old men,
cowboys. clerks. boys, ranchers came on
the trOt. The crowd grew. The increas-
Ing Hamor began to attract women as
well. as men. A group Of girls ran up,
then hung back in fright and pity.
The presence of cowboys made q diff
ference. They split up the crowd, got to
duane. and lay hold Of him with rough,
business ! hands. One of them lifted
his fists and roared at the ~frenzied mob
to fall back, to stop the racket. He beat
them back into & circle: but 1t was
some little time before the hubbub
qu,eted down so q voice could be heard.
shut up, will you-al?" he was
yelling. Give US a chance to near some-
thin. Easy now-soho.T There amt no.
body gCiE' to be hurt. Thet's right:
everybody quiet now. Let's see what's
come off"
This cowboy, one of authority. or at
n OF strong personality. turned
to. the gaunt man who still waved
Duane's gun.
ABE put the u down." he said. ct
might go Off. Here. give it to me. Now.
what's wrong? Who's this roped gent
Ant what's he done?"
uc sduuC AciioW, WHO appeared now
about to collapse, lifted a shaking hand
and opinted.
..ahet thar feller-he's Buck Duane."
teepantcd.
An angry murmur ran through the
surrQunding crowd.
'The rope! The rope! Throw it over
q branch! String his up!" cried an ex-
cited yillager.
..Buck Duane! Buck Duane!"
fHang him!"
Tlhe cowboy silenceds these cries.
- how 90 9 know this fellow
iWhy@he said 30" replied the man