Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1916-08-30
!, large scale. Floyd Lawson was his

ON the afternoon OF she fifth day Of
puane's stay i'll l'ai,oale he returned
To the inn from his usual stroll. and
upon entering was amazed to have Il
rough looking Ii fellow rush by
MIN out OF the door. Inside, Laramie
was lying on the floor. with Il bloody
bruise on his fuce. He did not appear
to be dangerously hurt.
b Snecker: He hat me and went
after the ash drawer" said Laramie.
laboring TO his feet.
Are YOU hurt much" querica Du-
ane.
Il guess not. But 10 needn't to have
soaked me. I've been robbed before
without that"
We'll. III take a look after &c. re-
piled Duane.
lie Went out and glanced down The
street toward the center of the town.
lie did NOT see amy one lie could take
for the innkeeper's assailant. Then he
looked Up the street. ana he saw he
young fellow about Il block away. hur-
ryin% along and gazing back.
Duane yelled for hin To stop and
starte! to go after aim. Snecker broke
into a run. Then Duane set ont to
overhaul him. There were two motives
in Duane's action-one of anger, and
the other q desire 10 make a friend of
this man Laramie. who Duane believed
could tell him much.
Duane was light on his feet. and he
Iie'u 81 grant SllltiS. RE gained Ia nl1IN
upon Snecker. who, turning this way
and that, could not get out of sight.
Then he took to tle o IN country and
ran straight for the green hill where
Lonsstreth's house stood. Duane had
almost caught Smoker when he reached
tfe ~ShrubberN n trees and there clud-
ed him. But Duane kept him i'm sight.
in the shade, on the paths. and up the
road into the courtyard. and he saw
Snecker go straight for Lonsstreth's
house.
Duane was not to be turned back by
that. singular as it was. He did not
stop to consider. 1t seemed enough TO
know that fate had directed him to the
path of this rancher Longstreth. Du-
ane entered the first open door on that
SIDE OF the court. 1t opened into a COR
riaor which led into a plaza. 1t had
ers and shrubbery in the center. Duane
hurried through to burst into The pres
ence of Miss Longstreth and a number
of young people. Evidently she was
giving a little party.
of then the pillars Iluoa t lsaf'ns aga.ea' 9 tine
porch roof; at sight of Duane
his face changed remarkably, express
ing engagement. CONSERVATION, then
fear.
In the quick ensuing silence Miss
Lonsstreth rose white as her dress.
SS"AAo "oiiSAi 1 III
establishment, if they We're not equally
perturbe1. There were cowboys pres
ent who suddenly grew intent and still.
But these things Duane gathered that
ms appearance must be disconcerting.
He wes painting. He wore no hat or
coat. His big gun-sheath showed
plainly at his hip.
Sight of Miss Longstreth had an I'M
accountable effect upon Duane. He
was plunged into confusion. For the
he saw no one but her.
Miss LongstrethI came-to search
your house." painted Duane.
He hardly knew what he vas say
ing. yet the instant he spoke he real
lied that that should have been the
last thing for him to say. He had
women. and this dark-eyed girl made
him thrill and his heart beat thickly
and his wits go scattering.
Search my housed" exclaimed Miss
Longstreth; and red succeeded the
White in her cheeks. She appeared as
how dare you. This is understandable"
"A man-Bo snecker-assaulted and
robbed Jim Laramie" replied Duane,
hurriedly. II chased snecker here
saw him run into the house."
Here? Oh, sir. you must be mis-
taken. We have seen no one. In the
absence of my father I'm mistress here.
III not permit you to Search"
Lawson appeared to come out of his
establishment, He stepped forward.
Pay. don't be bothered now" he
said, to his cousin. This fellows maxi
ing a bluff. ~ settle him. See here,
Mister. you clear out"
II want Snecker. He's here. and I'm
going to get him." replied Duane,
quietly.
"Bah! That's all a bluff" sneered
Lawson. I'm on to your game. You
just wanted an excuse to break in
hereto see my cousin again. When
YOU saw the YOU invented
that excuse. Now. be off, or it IL be
the worse for YOU" .
Duane felt his face burn with a tide
of hot blood. Almost he felt that he
was guilty of such motive. Had he not
been unable to put this Ray Longstreth
out of his mind? There seemed to be
scorn in her eyes now. And somehow
that checked his embarrassment.
Miss Longstreth, will you let me
search the house?" he asked.
mo"
Then regret to say-rn do so
without your permission"
You'll not dare!" she flashed. She
stood erect, her bosom swelling.
Pardon me-yes, l WILL
denly.
I'm a Texas ranger replied Duane.
"A Texas ranger!" she echoed.
pale.
Miss Longstreth. 1 don't need war;
to search houses" said Duane.
I'm sorry to annoy you. I'D prefer
TO have Your permission. A ruffian has
taken refuge herein your fathers
house. He's hidden somewhere. May
l look for him."
If you are indeed a ranger"
Duane produced his papers. Miss
Longstreth haughtily refused to look
at them.
Miss Longstreth, I've come to make
Fairdale a safer. cleaner. better place