The Tomahawk. [volume] (White Earth, Becker County, Minn.) 1903-192?, 1916-08-17
was q criminal in sight of Texas law !;
he. too, was an outcast.
CHAPTER vi.

tened ON him, Wishing to be alone,
he went out and walked trail leading
round the river bluff. He thought and
thought. After a while he made OUT
that the trouble with him probably
was that he could not resign himself
70 his fate, He cared vastly more, ne
discovered. for what he considered
honor and integrity than he did Tor
life. He saw that it was bad for MIN
to be alone. But, it appeared, lonely
months and perhaps years inevitably
must be his.
Another thing puzzled him. In the
bright light of day he could not recall
the state of mind that was his at
twilight or dusk or in the dark night.
By day these visitations became to
him what they really were-phantoms
of his conscience. He could dlsmlss
the thought of them then. He coulo
scarcely remember or believe that TINS
strange feat of fancy or imagination
had troubled him, made him sleepless
and sick.
At length he determined to create
interest in all that he came across
and so forget himself as much as pos
sible. He had an opportunity now TO
see lust what the outlaws life really
was. He meant to force himself to
be curious, sympathetic, clear-sighted.
And he would stay there in the valley
until it's possibilities had been eA-
hausted or until circumstances sent
him out upon his uncertain way.
When he returned to the shack
Euchre was cooking dinner.
"Say, Buck, I've news for yop'' ne
said; and his tone conveyed either
pride in his possession of such news
or pride in Duane. "Feller named
Bradley rode in this mornin'. He's
heard some about you. Told about
the ace Of spades they put over the
bullet-holes in tibet cowpuncher Balm
YOU plugged. Then there was ranch
or shot at q water-hole twenty miles
south of Wellston. Reckon you didn't
do it?"
"No, I certainly did not" replied
Duane.
oval, you get the blame. 1t amt
nothing for Teller to be saddled with
g1n-plays he never made. An, Buck,
if you ever get famous, as seems ike
", you'll be blamed for many a crime.
The border III make an outlaw an
murderer out Of you. Wal, thet
enough of tibet. I've more news
You're goin' to be popular"
popular? What do you mean?'
81 met BANDS wife this mornin'
She seen you the other day when you
rode in. She shore wants to meet you,
an so do some of the other women
in camp. They always want to meet
the new fellers who've just come In
It's lonesome for women here, an they
like to hear news from the towns"
"Well. Euchre, I don't want to be
impolite, but I'd rather not meet any
women" rejoined Duane.
II was afraid you wouldn't. Don't
blame YOU much. Women are hell.
was hopin', though, you might talk
, little to tibet poor lonesome kid"
"What kid?" inquired Duane, IN sur
prise.
didn't tell you about Jennie-the
girl BANDS holdin' here?"
"No. Tell me now," replied Duane
/ abruptly.
r oval. I got it this way. Mebbe its
, straight, an mebbe it amt. Some
, wears ago Benson made trip over the
, river to buy mescal an other drinks
l An he run across a gang Of greasers
, with some gringo prisoners. 1 dom
1 know, but I reckon there was some
barterin', perhaps murderin'. Any
t way, Benson fetched the girl back
5 She was starved an scared half II
, death. She hadn't been harmed.
q reckon she was then about fourteen
, wears old. Bland seen the kid RICH
off and took her-bought her from
+ Benson. You can gamble Bland didn'
y do tibet from notions of chivalry
= Kate BANDS been hard on Jennie, blu
e she's kept Bland an the other mel
9 from treating the kid shameful. Lat
o Jennie has grown into an all-fire'
pretty girl, an Kate is powerful jeal
l., ous of her. I can see hell brewin
6 over there in BANDS cabin. Ihet'
WHY I wish you'd come over with me
= You'd get to see Jennie, an mebb
y YOU could help her. had baby cir
y once. an if she'd lived she'd be as bi
q as Jennie now, an wouldn't want he
9 here in BANDS camp"
f "T'1l 20, Euchre. Take me over" re
+ nlied Duane. He felt Euchre's eye
O upon him. The old outlaw, however
- had no more to say.
f In the afternoon Euchre set off wit
= Duane, and soon they reached Bland
= cabin. Duane remembered it as tn
Y one where he had seen the pretty We
h man watching him ride by. Throug
f the open door Duane caught glimps
G Of bright Mexican blankets end rug