The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1916-07-20

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be taken. |hey thronged about him
| with their NoiceleSS clamorlng drifted
around him with their fading eyes.
CHAPTER NJ.
After nearly six months in tho
! Nueces gorge the loneliness and mac
tlon OF his life drove Duane out upon
the traits seeking anything rather than
10 hide longer alone. a prey to the
'scourage of his thoughts. The moment
he rode into sight of men q remarkable
| transformation occurred in him. 4
strange warmth stirred in him-a long
ing to see the faces of people, to hear
their NoiceS-a pleaSurabie emotion
sad and strange. But it was only a
precursor of his old bitter, sleepiess,
and eternal vigilance. When he hid
diohe IN the brakes he was safe from
an except his deeper, better self; when
he escaped from this into the haunts
OF men his force and will Went to the
preservation of his life
Mercer was the first village he rode
INTO. He had many friends there Mer-
Ger claimed TO owe Duane a debt On
the outskirts of the village there was a
grave overgrown by brush so that the
rude lettered post which marked it was
scarcely visible to Duane as he rode
py. He had never read the inscription
But he thought now Of Hardin, no
otner THAN the ertswhile ally of Bland
FOR many years Hardin had harassed
'1he stockmen and ranchers in and
around Mercer. On an evil day for him
ne or MS outlaws had beaten and rob-
ped man who once succored Duane
When sore In need. Duane met Hardin
IN the little plaza of the village. called
MIN every name known to border men,
in the act
duane went to the house of one
Jones, a Texan who had known his
father, and there he was warmly re-
ceiVed. The feel of an honest manu-. Sne
voice OF friend, the prattle Of children
VINO were not afraid Of him or his gun,
sooo wholesome food, and change Of
ciotnes-these things for the time be-.
ing made changed man of Duane. To
ne sure, he did not often speak The!
price OF his head and the weight of his
burden made him silent. But eagerly
ne crank IN all the news that was told
MIN. In the years Of his absence from
nome he had never heard word about.
ms mother or uncle. Those who were
MS real friends on the border would,
nave been the last to make inquiries.
to write or receive letters that might
give clue to Duane's whereabouts
duane remained all day with this
hospltable Jones, and as twilight fell
was loath to go and yielded to a press
ing invitation to remain overnight 1t
was seldom indeed that Duane slept
under roof. Early in the evening,
"hlle Duane sat on the porch with two
awed and hero worshiping sons of the
house, Jones returned from a quick
visit down to the postoffice. Summer
lily he sent the boys Off He labored
under intense excitement.
duane, there's rangers in town." he
whispered. It's all over town, too, that
you're here. You rode in long arter,
sunup. Lots Of people SAN you. I don't
believe there's a man or boy that d:
squeal on you But the women might.
They gossip, and these rangers are
handsome fellows-devils with the
women"
What company of rangers?" asked
Duane, quietly.
Company A, under Captain Mac
Nelly, that new ranger. He made a big
name In the war. And since he's been
in the ranger service he's done won
ders. He's cleaned up some bad places
south, and he's working north"
'MacNe1ly. I've heard of him. De-
scribe him to me-"
Slight built chap, but wirv and
tough. Clean face, black moustache
and hair. Sharp black eyes He's got
a look of authority. MacNelly's a fine
man. Duane. Belongs to a good south
ern family I'd hate to have him look
you up
Duane did not speak
MacNelly's got nerve, and his
rangers are all experienced men If
they find out you're here they'll come
after you. MacNelly's no gun fighter,
but he wouldn't hesitate to do his duty
even if he faced sure death. Which he
would in this case Duane, you mustn't
meet Captain MacNelly. Your record
is clean, if it is terrible. You never
met ranger or any officer except a
rotten Sheriff now and the1,, like Rod
Brown"
Still. Duane kept silence. lis was not
thinking of ounger, but of the fact of
how fleeing must be his stay among
friends
Two already fixed up pack Of
grub" went cn Jones. "pn slip out to-
saddle your horse. You watch here"
He had scarcely uttered the last
sounded on the hard path. A man
turned in at the gate. The light was
dim, get clean enough to disclose an
unusually tall figure When it appeared
nearer he was seen to be walking with
both arms raised, hands high He
slowed his stride.
Does Burt Jones live here?" he
asked, in low. hurried voice.
y reckon. I'm Burt. What can do
for you?" replied Jones.
The stranger peered around, stealth
lily came closer, still with his hands IN
1T Is known that Buckle Duane is
here Captain MacNellys camping on /
the river just out of town He sends
word to Duane to come out there after 4
dark
The stranger wheeled and departed as
swiftly and strangely as he had come 4
Bust me! Duane. Whatever do you
make VI that?' exclaimed Jones.
"A rev one on me-" replied Duane
thouglnfully. 1.
First fool thing ever heard Of Mac
Melting doing Can't make head nor 4
taiis 81 1t. I'd have said cffhand that
body. He struck me as square man
sand all through. But. hell he mnst
mean trsaaisery.s can't see anything