Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1916-11-29

Stt i MS breast. Ine Olu emOuOu
rush Of the instinct to kill He
turned cold all over.
'Chess Alloway will kill you II
Bland doesn't" went on Jennie, with
her tragic eyes on Duane's.
maybe he WILL" replied Duane. II
was difficult for him to force smile.
But he achieved one.
''Oh, better take me on at once" she
said. "Save me without risking %
much-without making love to Nrs.
Blandy"
"surely, II I can. Therel I -
Euchre coming With q woman"
that's her. Oh. she mustn't see
me With you"
sWait-a moment" whispered
Duane. % Jennie slipped indoors.
sWe've settled 1t. Don't forget. m
md some way 70 get word b you, pss.
haps through DuchFs. Meanwhile kssp
up your courage. Remember ri save
you somehow. Wen ~ strategy llrst.
Whatever you 80 Of hear mo Do.
don't think lsss q ms-"
Jennie checked him With Z gesture
and wonderful cray fash Of eyes.
@Tn bless Jon with every drop q
blood in my heart" che whispered.
passionatSly.
Il WAS only % she turned away into
the room that Duane saw she WAS
Ams and that she wore Mexican
sandals over bare fest
He sat down upon . bench on The
porch and directed his attention to
the approaching couple. The trees OF
the grove were thick enough for him
70 make reasonably sure that Mrs..
Bland had not seen him talking to
Jennie. When the outlaws wife drew
near, the situation took on singular
se0t.
Euchre came up on the porch and
awkwardly introduced Duane to Hfs.
Bland. She was young, probably not
over twenty-five, and not quite 90 pre-
possessing at close range. Her eyes
were large, rather prominent. and
brown in color. Her mouth. too. was
large, with the lips full. and she had
white teeth.
/ Duane took her prohered hand and
remarked frankly that he was glad to
meet her.
Mrs. Bland appeared pleased; and
her laugh. which followed, was loud
and rather musical. 4
'Mr. Duane Buck Duane, Euchre
said, didn't he1" she asked.
Buckley" corrected Duane. The
nickname's not my choosing"
"Tm certainly glad to meet you.
Buckley Duane" she said, as she took
the seat Duane offered her. "SOrry to
have been out. Kid Fuller's lying over
at Deger's. Yop know he was shot
last night. He's got fever to-day.
When BANDS away have to nurse all
these shot.up boys, and 1t sure takes
my time. Have you been waiting here
alone? Didn't see that slattern girl
Of miner
She gave him a sharp glance. The
woman had an extraordinary play OF
feature, Duane thought, and unless
she was smiling was not pretty at all.
"Ive been alone" replied Duane.
Haven't seen anybody but sick
looking girl with a bucket. And she
ran when she saw me-"
saThat was Jen," said Mrs. Bland.
.She's the kid we keep here, and she
sure hardly pays her keep. Did Euchre
toll Won ahout her ?, .,
snow that think Of 1t, he did say
something or other"
.What did he tell you about met
bluntly asked Mrs. Bland.
oval, Kate" replied Euchre, speak
ing for himself, "you needn't worry
nine, for I told Buck nothin' but COM
pliments."
Evidently the outlaws wife liked
Euchre, for her keen glance rested
with amusement upon him.
"As for Jen. I'll tell You her story
some day." went on the woman. Its
q common enough story along this
river. Euchre here is a tender-hearted
old fool, and Jen has taken him in"
"Wal, seem as you've got me fig
gered correct" replied Euchre, dryly,
sI'll 60 in an talk to Jennie, If may"
"Certainly. Go ahead. Jen calls
you her best friend" said Mrs. Bland,
amiably. you're always fetching
some Mexican stuff, and that's why, I
guess"
When Euchre had shuffled into the
house Mrs. Bland turned to Duane
with curiosity and interest in her gaze.
sBland told me about you"
( "What did he say3" queried Duane.
In pretended alarm.
"Oh, you needn't think he's done you
dirt. BANDS not that kind Of a man.
He said: Kate, there's a young fell
low in camp-rode in here on the
dodge. Slickest hand with gun I've
seen for many a day! Magnificent
chap. Bigger than any man in the
valley. Just q great blue-eyed, sum
burned boy!"
"Humph!" exclaimed Duane. Tim
sorry he led you to expect somebody
worth seeing"
( "But I'm not disappointed. she re-
turned, archly. duane, are you 60
ing to stay long here in campT
'sYes, till l run out Of money and
have to move. Why3"
Mrs. BANDS face underwent one of
the singular changes. The smiles and
fiushes and glances, all that had been
coquettish about her, had lent her
certain attractiveness, almost beauty