The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1916-08-24

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 just 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 eX-
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 you,' he
said; and his tone conveyed either
pride in his possession OF such news
or pride in Duane. "Feller named
Bradley rode in this mornin'. hes
heard some about you. Told about
the ace Of spades they put over the
bullet-holes in tibet cowpuncher BAN
you plugged. Then there was ranch
er shot at a Water-hOle twenty miles
south of Wellston. Reckon you didn't
do it?"
mo, I certainly did not" replied
Duane.
oval, you get the blame. 1t amt
nothing for Teller to be saddled WIN
gun-plays he never made. An, Buck,
if you ever get famous, as seems ike
ly, you'll be blamed for many crime.
The border II make an outlaw an
murderer out of you. Wal, thetS
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.
81 was afraid you wouldn't. Don't
blame you much. Women are hell. L
was hopin', though, you might talk
little to tibet poor lonesome kid"
what kidd" inquired Duane, in sur
prise.
Didn't tell you about Jennie-the
girl BANDS holdin' here?"
"No. Tell me now," replied Duane,
abruptly. msao~ > ~
oval, 1 got it this way. Mebbe it's
straight, an mebbe it amt. Some
years ago Benson made trip over the
river to buy mescal an other drinks.
An he run across a gang Of greasers
with some gringO prisoners. l don't
know, but 1 reckon there was some
barterin', perhaps murderin'. Any
way. Benson fetched the girl back.
She was starved an scared half to
death. She hadn't been harmed. L
reckon she was then about fourteen
years old. Bland seen the kid right
off and took her-bought her from
Benson. You can gamble Bland didn't
do thet. from notions of chivalry.
Kate BANDS been hard on Jennie, but
from treating the kid shameful. Late
Jennie has grown into an ALFRED
pretty girl, an Kate is powerful Jeal-
GUS Of her. I can see hell breWin'
over there in BANDS cabin. Thets
why wish you'd come over with me.
You'd get to see Jennie, an mebbe
you could help her. I had baby girl
once, an if she'd lived she'd be as big
as Jennie now, an wouldn't want her
here in BANDS camp"
"Tll go, Euchre. Take me over" re-
piled Duane. He felt Euchre'S eyes
upon him. The old outlaw, however,
had no more to say.
In the afternoon Euchre set off with
Duane, and soon they reached Blands
cabin. Duane remembered it as the
one where he had seen the pretty wo-
man watching him ride by. Through
the open door Duane caught glimpse
of bright Mexican blankets and rugs.
Euchre knocked upon the side of the
door.
SIS that you, Euchre?" asked a girls
voice, low, hesitatingly. The tone of
it, rather deep and with note of fear,
struck Duane
eyes, it's me, Jennie. Where's Mrs.
Bland?" answered Euchre.
"She went over to Deger's. There's
somebody SICK" replied the girl.
Euchre turned and whispered some
thing about luck. The snap of the
outlaws eyes was added significance
to Duane.
Jennie, come out or let us come in.
Here's the young man was tellin' you
about" Euchre said. "Come out,
Jennie, an mebbe he'll"
Euchre did not complete his sem
tence. But what he said was sufficient
to bring the girl quickly. She ap-
peared in the doorway with downcast
eyes and a stain of red in her white
cheek. She had a pretty, sad face
and bright hair.
Don't be bashful, Jennie" said
Euchre. "You an Duane have a
chance to talk a little. Now I'll go
fetch Mrs. Bland, but won't be hur-
ryin'."
With that Euchre went away
through the cottonwOods.
"Pm glad to meet you, Miss-Miss
Jennie" said Duane. "Euchre didn't
mention your last name. He asked
me to come over to"