The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1916-10-19

|
to the entrance of the passage. In
the blackness a faint streak of light
showed the location of a crack in
the wall. He had to slip in sidewise.
1t was light squeeze, but he entered
without the slightest noise. When he
got there the crack he had marked
was a foot over his head. There was
nothing to do but find toe-holds in
the crumbling walls, and hF bracing
knees on one side, back against the
other, hold himself up. Once with
his eye there he did not care what
risk he ran. Longstreth appeared dis
turbed; he sat stroking his mustache; ;
his brow was clouded. Lawson's face
seemed darker, more sullen, yet light
ed by some indomitable resolve.
"We'll settle both deals tonight"
Lawson was saying. 'That's what |
came for"
"But suppose l don't choose to talk
here?" protested Longstreth, impa-
tientIy.
you've lost your nerve since that
ranger hit the town. First now, will
you give Ray to me?"
"Floyd, you talk like a spoiled boy.
l tried to persuade her. But Ray
hasn't any use for you now. SO what
can / do?"
"You can make her marry me-" re-
piled Lawson.
make that girl do what she doesn't
want to? It couldn't be done. But if
Ray loved you I would consent. We'd
all go away together before this mis-
cradle business is out. Then she'd
never know. And maybe you might
be more like you used to be before
the West ruined you"
"What ID you want to let her come
out here for?" demanded Lawson,
holly. "It was a dead mistake. I've
lost my head over her. I'll have her
or die. No, Longstreth, we've got to
settle things tonight"
"Well, we can settle what Rays
concerned in, right now," replied
Longstreth, rising. "Come on; We'll
ask her. See where you stand"
They went out leaving the door
open. Duane dropped down to rest
himself and to wait.
| The men seemed to be absent good
while, though that feeling might have
been occasioned by Duane's thrilling
interest and anxiety. Finally he
heard heavy steps. Lawson came in
alone. He was leaden-faced, humili-
ated. Then something abject in him
gave place to rage. He strobe the
room; he cursed. Then Longstreth
returned, now appreciably calmer.
Duane could not but decide that he
felt relief at the evident rejection of
LawsOn's proposal.
"Don't fuss about it, Floyd" he
said. "You see I can't help it. We're
pretty wild out here, but 1 can't rope
my daughter and give her to you as
I would an unruly steer"
'Longstreth, l can make her marry
me-" declared Lawson, thickly.
"How?"
"You know the hold got on you
the deal that made you boss Of this
rustler gang?"
"It isn't likely I'd forget" replied
Longstreth, grimly.
81 can go to Ray, tell her that, make
her believe I'd tell it broadcast-tell
this ranger-unless she'd marry me-"
Lawson spoke breathlessly, with
haggard face and Swallowed eyes. He
had no shame He was simply in the
grip Of passion.
Longstreth gazed with dark, con-
| trolled fury at this relative. In that
| look Duane saw a strong, unScrupu-
| Ious man fallen into evil ways, but
still a man. 1t betrayed Lawson to
be the wild and passionate weakling.
Like the great majority of evil and
unrestrained men on the border, he
had reached a point where influence
was futile. Reason had degenerated.
He saw only himself.
But, Floyd, Rays the one person
on earth who must never know I'm
a rustler, a thief, red-handed ruler
of the worst gang of robbers" replied
Longstreth, impressively.
Floyd bowed his head at that, as
if the significance had just occurred
to him. But he was not long at loss.
"She's going to find it out sooner
or later. I tell you she knows now
there's something wrong out here.
She's got eyes. Mark what l say"
"Ray has changed, l know. But
she hasn't any idea yet that her
| daddv's boss rustler. Rays con-
cerned about what she calls my duty
as mayor. Also think she's not sat
isfied with my explanations in regard
to certain property"
Lawson halted in his restless walk
and leaned against the stone mantel-
| piece. He had his hands in his peck
cts. He squared himself as if this
was his last stand. He looked desper-
ate, but on the moment showed an
absence of his usual nervous excite
! ment.
"Longstreth, that may well be true,
he said. "No doubt all you say is
true. But it doesn't help me. l want
the girl. If don't get her-l reckon
We'll all go to hell"
| Longstreth gave slight start,
barely perceptible, like the switch OF
an awakening tiger. He sat there heau
down, stroking his mustache. Duanes
conviction was that Longstreth right
4 L. n