The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1916-12-16

"Humph againI laramie Ike every
other fellow I met In this town.
you're afraid to open your trap about
Longstreth. Get me straight, Lara
! rLia. 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 bluster. but the
red was deepe. In his face.
.sure. / know that" Duane said.
"And usually don't talk. Then it's
not well known that Longstreth
owns the Hope Sof"
"Reckon it's known In Pecos, all
right. But Longstreth's name isn't
connected with the Hope So. Blandy
runs the place"
"That Blandy. His faro games
crooked, or I'm a locoed bronch. That
Hope So place ought to be run by a
good fellow like you. Laramie"
THANKS" replied he; and Duane
imagined his voice little husky.
"Dldn't you hear I used to-run itf
I built the place, owned 1t for eleven
years."
"Well, I'll be doggoned." It was
indeed Duane's turn to be surprised,
and with the surprise came a glim-
mering. I'm 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. ut was two years
ago-two years last March," he went
on. II was in big cattle deal with
Longstreth. We got the stock-an'
my share, eighteen hundred head.
was rustled off. 1 owed Longstreth
He pressed me. 1t came to a law
sultan Twas ruined"
1t 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 &C
cuse Longstreth, the secret of his
reticence and fear-these Duane
thought best to try to learn at some
later time.
"Hard luckl 1t certainly was
tough" Duane said. "But you're
good loser. And the wheel turns
Now, Laramie. here's what. / need
your advice. I've got little money.
But before lose 1t want to invest
some. Buy some stock, or buy an
interest In some rancher's herd.
Sure you must know a couple Of men
above suspicion"
| 40 hA
feelingly. Frank Morton an 81
thinner, my friends an neighbors all
my prosperous days, an friends still.
You can gamble on Frank an 81.
But II YOU want advice from me-
don't invest money In stock now"
"WhyT
Because any new Teller buyin'
stock these days will be rustled quick
err n he can say Jack Robinson. The
old ranchers are wise an sore.
They'd fight If they"
"what?" Duane put In as he
paused. "What d make them fght?''
"a leaderv'
"Howdy thar, Jim" doomed q big
voice.
A man of great bulk, with a ruddy,
merry face, entered the room.
Hello, Morton" replied Laramie.
"Td introduce you to my guest here,
but I don't know his name"
"Haw! Haw! Thets all right. Few
men out hyar 60 by their right
names"
"Say. Morton" put in Duane, LAR
annie gave me a bunch you'd be
good man to tie to. Now, I've little
money and before lose it I'd like to
invest 1t in stock"
Morton smiled broadly.
"rm on the square," Duane said.
bluntly. ''If you fellows never size -
your neighbors any better than you
have sized Newell, you won't get
any richer"
1t 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.
oval, stranger, to come out fat
footed, you'd be foolish to buy cattle
now. Better go back across the Pecos
where the rustlers amt so ss-ong."
"All hear is rustlers, Norton re.
piled Duane, with Impotence. "You
see, I haven't ever lived long in q
rustler-run county. Who heads the
gang, anyway
Morton looked at Duane with cur
iously amused smile, then snapped his
big jaw as II to shut In impulsive
words.
'Look here, Morton. 1t 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 a lot of men around Falrdale who
re afraid of their shadows-afraid to
be out after dark-afraid to open
their mouths. But you're not one
What you need out here Is some new
blood. Savvy what / mean2"
"Wal. / reckon do" he replied
looking as II a storm had blown ovel
him. stranger, I'll look you up h'
next time come TO town."
Then he went out.
. laramie had eves like flint strikin,