Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-07-06
CHAPTER yn1-(continued>.

violent, unfamiliar ontac sent such a
shock through him that he all but for
got the deep game he was playing. She,
however, In her agitation did not notice
his shrinking. From her embrace and
the tender, incoherent words that flow
ed with 1t he gathered that Euchre had
acquainted her Of his action with Black.
II might have killed you'll" she
whispered, more clearly; and If Duane
had ever heard love In a voice he heard
1t then. 1t softened him. After all, she
was a weak, fated through her
nature, unfortunate in her experience OF
life. doomed to un%happiness and trag-
edy. lie met her advance so far that he
rasG2t@ed the embrace n kissed her.
E1nG.Aon, such as h showed would
hay2 1aade any woman sweet, and she
hea 9 certain charm. 1t was easy, even
pta9ss mt, to kiss her; but Duane resolv-
eel 1T whateved her abandonment
might become, he would go no further
than the lie she made him act.
"Buck, you love me?" she whispered.
"Yes-yes." he burst out. eager to get
Is over, and even as he spoke he caught
the pale CLEAN of Jennie's face through
the window. He felt a shame he was
glad she could not see. Did she remem-
Der that she had promised not to mis-
understand any action of his? What
did she think of him, seeing him out
there in the dusk with this bold woman
in his arms? Somehow that dim sight
Of Jennie's pale face, the big dark eyes
thrilled him, inspired him to his hard
task of the present.
"Listen, dear" he said to the woman,
and he meant his words for the girl.
"I'm going to take you away from this
outlaw den II I have to kill Bland, ALL
oway, Rugg-anybody who stands in
my path. Q were dragged here. You
are good know 1t. There's happiness
for you somewhere home among
good people who will care for you. Just
wait till"
His voice trailed off and failed from
exces Of emotion. Kate Bland closed
her eyes and leaned her head on his
breast. Duane felt her heart beat
keen blow. II she loved him so much!
But memory and understanding of her
character hardened hin again, n he
gave her such conmiseration as was
due her sex, and no more.
Soy, that's good of you," III whis-
PEI q, but It's too late. I'm done for. I
can y leave Bland. All / ask Is that you
love ne a little and stop your gun
thrC Ing"
TT moon had risen over the eastern
bulge OF dark mountain, and now the
valley was flooded with mellow light,
n shadows Of cottonwoods wavered
against the silver.
E " III Sllp-Slop, SllP.SlOp VI
hoofs caused Duane to rise his head and
listen. Horses were coming down the
| road from the head Of the valley. The
hour was unusual for riders to come in.
Presently the narrow, moonlit lane was
, crossed at its far end by black moving
objects. Two horses Duane discerned.
TITS Bland!" whispered the woman
grasping Duane with shaking hands.
"You must run! No. he'd see you. That
d be worse. It's Bland! / know his
horses trot."
But you said he wouldn't mind my
calling here" protested Duane.
"Euchre's with me. It'll be all right"
Maybe So" she replied, with visible
effort at self-control. Manifestly she
had a great fear of Bland. IF I could
only think"
Then she dragged Duane to the door.
pushed him in.
"Euchre, come out with me! Duane
you're In love with her. Jen, II you give
us away I'll wiring your neck"
The swift action and fierce whisper
told Duane that Mrs. Bland was her.
Helf again. Duane stepped close to Jen-
ME, who stood near the window. Meth
er spoke, but her hands were out
stretched to meet hisaown. They were
srnaf1e trembling hands, gold as ice. He
held them close, trying to convey what
he felt-that he would protest her. She
leaned against him, and they looked
out OF the window. Duane felt calm and
sure Of himself. His most pronounced
feeling besides that for the frightened
girl was q curiosity as to how Mrs.
Bland would rise to the occasion. He
saw tho riders disnount down the lane
and YEARLY come forward. A boy led
away the horses. Euchre, the old fox,
was talking loud and with remarkable
ease, considering what he claimed was
his natural cowardice.
that was way back in the '60c
about the time Of the war;" he was
saying. @Rustlin' cattle wasn't nuthin'
then to what It is now. An times is
rougher these days. This gun-throwin'
has come to be O disease. Men have an
itch for the draw same as they used
TO have fer poker. The only real gambler
outside Of greasers we ever had here
was BIZ. an ! presume Blu Is burnin'
now.
The approaching outlaws, hearing
voices, halted a rod or so from the
porch. Then Mrs. Bland uttered an ex-
clamation, ~ostensibly meant to express
She greeted her husband warmly and
gave welcome to the other man. Duane
could not sec well enough In the shadow
to recognize Bland's companion, but
hsssoIieved It Was Alloway.
Dog tired We are and starved" said
Bland, reavily. Who's hero with you.
THIS Euchre IN the porch. Duane
u tnaSs ct the window with Jen," re-
piled ! re-. Bland.
sEaale!n he exclaimed. Then he
swhisss ed low--sounsthing Duane could
nctssss IN 90.
~ ohisfs wife. she spoke easily and
naturally and made no change
N tono. sIsn has BEEN ailing. she
9ek1 thinner and whittier overy day