The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-07-06

the hour had arrived. and he was
ready. He understood perfectly the
desperate chances he must take. His
thoughts became confined to Euchre
and the surprisingly loyalty and good
ness in the hardened old outlaw. Time
passed slowly. Duane kept glancing at
his watch. He hoped to start the thing
and get away before the outlaws were
out Of their beds. Finally he heard the
shuttle Of Euchre's boots on the hard
path. The sound was quicker than
usual.
when Euchre came around the cor
ner Of the cabin Duane was not SO
astounded as he was concerned to see
the outlaw white and shaking. Sweat
dripped from him. He had q wild look.
"Luck's ours-so-fur, Buck!" he
painted.
Tn turrible sick. Jest killed q man.
Fust one / ever killed."
"who?" asked Duane. startled.
"Jackrabbit Benson. An sick as !
am, I'm gloryin' In II. went nosin'
round up the road. Saw Alloway goin'
into Deger's. He's thick with the
Degers. Reckon he's askin' questions.
away from BANDS. An he didn't see
me- When I dropped into Benson's
there wasn't nobody there but Jackrsb-
bit an some greasers he was startin
to work. Benson never had no use Ter
me. An he up an said he wouldn't
give a two-bit piece fer my life
asked him why.
you're double crossin' the boss an
Chess he said.
Jack, whatd you give fer your
own lifeT I asked him.
He Strengthened up surprised an
mean lookin'. An let him have It,
plumb center! He wilted, an the
greasers run. reckon I'll never sleep
again. But had to do It."
Duane asked II the shot had at
tracted any attention outside.
II didn't see anybody but the greas-
ers, an I sure looked sharp. Comm
back / cut across through the cotton
woods past BANDS cabin. ] meant to
keep out Of sight, but somehow ! had
an idee might find out II Bland was
awake yet. Sure enough, / run plumb
into Beppo, the boy who tends BANDS
bosses. Beppo likes me. An when
inquired OF his boss he said Bland had
been up all night fghtin' with the
sonora An, Buck, here's how figger
Bland couldn't let up last night. He
was sore, an he went after Kate again,
tryin, to wear her down. Jest as likely
he might have went after Jennie, with
wuss intentions. Anyway, he an Kate
must have had II hot an heavy. We're
pretty lucky"
TT seems so. Well, I'm going" said
Duane tersely.
Lucky I should smile! BANDS
been up all night after a most draggin'
ride home. He'll be tagged out this
mornin', sleepy, sore, an he won't be
you walk over to his house. Meet him
how you like. Thet's your game. But
I'm suggestin', II he comes out an you
want to parley, you can jest say you'd
thought over his proposition an was
ready to join his band, or you amt.
time to go Ter your gun on sight. Might
be wise, too, fer it's likely he'll do tibet
same"
How about the horses?"
'T'll fetch them an come along about
two minutes behind you. Pears to me
you ought to have the Job done an
! Jennie outside @IsI by the time time. git
can ride out Of camp before Allo-
way or anybody else gifts into
action. Jennie amt much heaviern q
rabbit. Thet big black will carry you
both"
IAN right. But once more let me per-
suade you TO stay-not to mix any more
In this" said Duane, earnestly.
Nope. I'm goin'. You heard what
Benson told me. Alloway wouldn't give
me the benefit Of any doubts. Buck, a
last word-look out fer tibet Bland wo-
mani"
Duane merely nodded. and then, say
ing that the horses were ready, he
strobe away through the grove. 40.
counting for the short cut across grove
and field, II was about five minutes
walk up to BANDS house. To Duane it
seemed long in time and distance, and
he had difficulty in restraining his pace.
As he walked there came a gradual and
subtle change in his feelings. Again he
was going out to meet man in conflict
He could have avoided this meeting. But
despite the fact of his counting the
encounter he had not as yet felt that
hot, inexplicable rush Of blood. The
motive OF this deadly action was not
personal. and somehow that made a
difference.
No outlaws were in sight. He saw
several Mexican Gerders with cattle.
Blue columns Of smoke curled up over
some Of the cabins. The fragrant smell
Of II reminded Duane Of his home and
cutting wood for the stove. He noted a
cloud Of creamy mist rising above the
river, dissolving in the sunlight.
Then he entered BANDS lane.
While yet some distance from the
cabin he heard loud. angry voices Of
man and woman. Bland and Kate still
Quarreling! He took q quick survey Of
the surroundings. There was now not
even q Mexican in sight. Then he hur-
ried O little. Halfway down the lane he
turned his head to peer through the
cottonwoods. This time he saw Eucher
coming with the horses. There was no
indication that the old outlaw might
lose his nerve at the end. Duane had
feared this.
Duane now changed his walk to a
leisurely saunter. He reached the porch
and then distinguished what was said
inside the cabin.
III you do. Bland, by heaven I'll
fix you and her" That was painted out
in Kate BANDS full voice.
Let me loose! I'm going in there,
tell you'll" replied Bland, hoarsely.
What fort"
II want to make a little love to her.
Ha! ha! 1t II be fun to have the laugh
on her new lover
You lie!" cried Kate Bland.
I'm not saying what I'll do to her
afterwards" His voice grew hoarser
with passion. Let me go now!"
mo! no! / won't let you go. You'll
choke tha--fho frllfh 0nf nf