Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-09-14

me mere. They've quarreied. Oh, l
know something dreadful will happen.
l know III need you if-if-Will you
help mc?"
yes" replied Duane, n his look
brought the blood to her face.
CHAPTER XIX.
After supper Duane stole out for his
usual evenings spying. The night was
was dark, without starlight, and a
stiff wind rustled the leaves. Duane
ent his steps toward Longstreth's
ranch house. He had so much to think
about that he never knew ~nvro me
time went. This night when he
reached the edge Of the shrubbery he
heard Iawson's we'll known footsteps
and a Longstreth's door open, flash
ing a broad bar Of light in the dark
ness. lawson crossed the threshold,
the door closed, and all was dark again
outside. Not a ray of light escaped
from the window.
with Longstreth would be interesting
to Duane. He tiptoed to the door and
listened. but could lear only a murmur
Of voices. Besides, that position was
too risky. He went round the corner
Of the house..
Of much older construction than the
back and larger part. There was a
narrow passage between the houses,
leading from the outside through to
the ratio.
This passage now afforded Duane an
opportunity, n he decided to avail
himself of it in spite of the Very great
danger. Crawling Oh very stealthily,
he got under the %shrubbery to the en-
trance Of the passage. In the black
ness a faint streak of light showed the
location Of a crack in the wall. He
had to s''o in sidewise. It was a tight
squeeze. but he entered without the
slightest noise. AS he progressed the
PASSAGE grew a very little wider in
that direction, and that fact gave rise
to the thought that in case of a neces-
sary n hurried exit he would do best
by working toward the patio. 1t seemed
a good deal of time was consumed in
reaching a vantage point. When he
| did get there the crack he had marked
was a foot owe his head. There W
nothing to do but find toe holes in the
crulmbling walls. n by bracing knees
on one side, Jack against the other.
hold himself up. One with his eye
there he did not care what risk he ran.
Longstreth appeared d%isturbed: he sat
stroking his mustache; his brow was
clouded. Lawson's face seemed darker,
more sullen. yet lighted by some in
domitable resolve.
well settle both deals TONIGHT"
Lawson was saying. That's what /
came for.'
"But suppose I don't choose to talk
here?" protested Longstreth, i'm
patiently. II never before made my
house a place to"
We've waited long enough. This
place s as good as any. You've lost
your nerve since that ranger hit the
town. First now, will you give Ray
to me?"
"Flovd, you talk like a spoiled boy.
Give Ray to you! Why, she's a wom-
an, and I'm finding out that she's got
a mind Of her own. I told you I was
willing for her to marry you. I tried
to persuade her. But Ray hasn't any
use for you now. She liked you at
can l do?"
You can make her marry me-" re-
piled awson.
"Make that girl do what she doesn't
want to-? 1t couldn't be done even if
! tried. And I don't believe I'll try.
haven't the highest opinion of you as
a prospective soninlaw, Floyd. But If
Ray loved you I would consent. We'd
| all so away together before this
damned miserable business is out.
Then she'd never know. And maybe
you might be more like you used to
matters stand you fight your own
game with her. And I'll tell you now
you'n lose"
What d you want to let her come
out here for?" demanded Lawson,
holly. 1T was a dead mistake. I've
lost my head yer her. I'll have her
or die. Don't O think if she was my
wife I'd soon pull myself together?
Since h came we've non of US been
right. And the gang has put up a hol-
Ter. No, Longstreth, we've got to set
tie thing tonight"
We'll, we a settle what Rays con
streth, 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. He would have liked to
hear Miss Longstreth's answer. But
he could guess what it would be. Law
son appeared to be all Duane had
thought him, and he bell .ved he was
going to f,-9 out presently hat he
| was worse.
The men seemed to be absent a 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, Inundated. Then
something abject in him gave place to
cursed. Then Longstreth returned, now
appreciably calmer. Duane could not
but decide that he felt relief at the evil
dent rejection of Iawson's proposal.
Don't FUSS about it, Floyd he said.
you see I can't help 1t. We're pretty
wild out here, but I can't rope my
daughter n give her to you as /
would an unruly steer"
"Longstreth, I can make her marry