The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1916-12-01

think, and think. we can't be touch
ed. We may be blamed, but nothing
can be proved. We're too strong"
There's where you're dead wrong"
rejoined Longstreth, emphatically. Il
imagined that once, not long ago. /
was bull-headed. Who would ever
connect Granger Longstreth with a
rustler gang? I've changed my mind.
I've begun to think. I've reasoned
out things. We're crooked, and we
can't last. It's the nature OF life, even
here, for conditions to grow better.
The wise deal for us would be to
divide equally and leave the country,
all of u.s."
s'But you and have all the stock
all the gain" protested Lawson.
''Ill split mine"
/ 81 won't-that settles that added
Lawson, instantly.
/ Longstreth spread wide his hands
as if it was useless to try to convince
this man. Talk had not increased his
| calmness, and he now showed more
| than impatience. A dull CLINT cleaned
deep in his eyes,
'Your stock and property will last
a long time-do lots of good when
this ranger"
| "Bahi" hoarsely croaked Lawson.
The rangers name was a match APP
piled to powder. Haven't I told you
he'd be dead soon-any time-same
as Laramie isY
Eyes, your mentioned the-the sup
position" replied Longstreth, sarcast-
cally. II inquired, too, just how that
very desired event was to be brought
about"
1.-THE gang will lay him out"
bah :" retorted Longstreth, in turn
He laughed contemptuously.
Floyd, don't be fool. You've
been on the border for ten years but
you never in all that time saw man
like this ranger. The only way to
get rid of him is for the gang to
draw on him, all at once. Then he's
going to drop some of them. To tell
you the truth, / wouldn't care much.
I'm pretty sick of this mess"
Lawson cursed in amazement. His
emotions were all out Of proportion
to his intelligence. He was not at
all quick-witted. Duane had never
seen vainer or more arrogant man.
"Longstreth, don't like your talk,
he said.
..If you don't like the way talk you
know what you can do" replied Long
streth, quickly. He stood up then,
cool and quiet, with flash Of eyes and
set Of lips that told Duane he was
dangerous.
swell, after all, that's neither here
nor there" went on Lawson. uncOn-
sciously cowed by the other. The
thing Is, do get the girl?" /.
mot by any means except her con-
sent"
you'll make her marry meT
mo. No." replied Longstreth, his
voice still cold, low-pitched.
"All right. Then I'll make herr
Evidently Longstreth understood
the man before him so well that he
wasted no more words. Duane knew
what Lawson never dreamed of, and
that was that Longstreth had a gun
somewhere within reach and meant
to use it. Then heavy footsteps
sounded outside tramping upon the
porch. Duane believed those foot
steps saved Lawson's life.
'There they are" said Lawson, and
he opened the door.
Five masked men entered. They
all wore coats hiding any weapons.
A big man with burly shoulders
shook hands with Longstreth, and the
others stood back.
The atmosphere of the room had
changed. Lawson might have been
for all he counted Long
'treth was another mana stranger
o Duane. If he had entertained a
lope of freeing himself from this
and, of getting away to a safer
ountry, he abandoned it at the very
light Of these men. There was power
ere, and he was bound.
The big man spoke in low, hoarse
7hispers, and at this all the others
altered around bin close to the
able. There were evidently some
igns of membership not plain to
,uane. Then all the heads were
ent over the table. Low voices
poke, queried, answered, argued
y straining his ears Duane caught
ord here and there. They were
tanning, and they were brief. Duane
altered they were to have rendez-
Gus at or near Ord.
Then the big man, who evidently
as the leader of the present con-
sntion, got up to depart He went
J swiftly as he had come. and was
'llowed by his comrades. Longstreth
'epared for quiet smoke. Lawson
emed uncommunicntive and I'M
'ciable. He smoked 1ercely and
'ank continually. All at once he
frightened up as II lfstenine
Whats that?" he called suddenly.
Duane's strained ears were pervad-
by slight rustling sound.
-. $50 .4+I = 40