The Elbert County tribune., 1916-12-22

he owns considerable pfuperty
hereabouts." replied Laramie. con-
strainedly.
"Humph againi Laramie. like every
other fellow I met In this town.
you're afraid to open your trap about
Longstreth. Get me straight, Lara
mie. For cause I'd throw gun on
him just as quick as on any rustler
in Pecos."
Talks cheap" replied Laramie,
making light of his buster. but the
red was deeper in his face.
''Sure. 1 know that" Duane said.
"And usually 1 don't talk. Then it's
not well known that Longstreth
owns the Hope Sor
Reckon it's known in Pecos, nll
right. But Longstreths name isn't
connected with the Hope So. Blandy
runs the place."
THAT Blandy. Bis faro games
crooked. or I'm a locoed bronch. That
Hope So place ought to be run by a
good fellow like you, Laramie"
''Thanks." replied he; and Duane
imagined his voice little husky.
Didn't you hear / used to-run it2
1 built the place, owned 1t for eleven
years"
"well. I'll be doggoned." 1t was
indeed Duane's turn to be surprised.
and with the surprise came glim-
mering. I'm sorry you're not there
now. Did you sell out?'
mo. Just lost the place"
Laramie was bursting for relief
now-to talk, to tell. Sympathy had
made MIN soft. at was two years
ago-two years last March," he went
on. 81 was in big cattle deal with
Longstreth. We got the stock-an'
my share, eighteen hundred head,
was rustled off. l owed Longstreth
He pressed me. II came to law
sultan I-was ruined"
1t hurt Duane to look at Laramie.
He was white. and tears rolled down
his cheeks. Duane saw the bitterness,
the defeat, the agony of the man.
But the reason he did not openly ac-
cuse Longstreth, the secret of his
reticence and fear-these Duane
thought best to try to learn at some
later time.
''Hard lucki 1t certainly was
tough" Duane said. "But you're a
good loser. And the wheel turns
Now, Laramie, here's what. l need
your advice. I've got a little money.
But before 1 lose 1t l want to invest
some. Buy some stock, or buy an
interest in some rancher's herd.
Sure you must know couple of men
above suspicion"
'Thank God I do" he replied
feelingly. Frank Morton an 81
thinner, my friends an neighbors all
my prosperous days, an friends still
You can gamble on Frank an 81
But If you want advice from me
don't invest money in stock now"
"Whyr'
Because any new feller buyin
stock these days will be rustled quick
er n he can say Jack Robinson. The
| old ranchers are wise an sore
They'd fight II they"
"Whatf Duane put in as he
| paused. "What d make them fightT
"a leaderl"
"Howdy thar, Jim" doomed a big
voice.
A man of great bulk, with ruddy
merry face. entered the room.
Hello, Morton" replied Laramie
"rd introduce you to my guest here
but I don't know his name."
"Haw! Haw! Thet's all right. Few
men out hyar go by their right
names"
Say, Morton" put in Duane. Lar
annie gave me a hunch you'd be 6
good man to tie to. Now, I've little
money and before lose 1t I'd like tc
invest it in stock"
Morton smiled broadly.
"I'm on tho square," Duane said
bluntly. "If you fellows never size W
your neighbors any better than yor
have sized Newell, you won't get
| any richer"
1t was enjoyment for Duane tt
make his remarks to these meI
pregnant with meaning. Mortor
showed his pleasure, his interest, bu
his faith held aloof.
"Wal, stranger, to come out fiat
footed, you'd be foolish to buy cattle
now. Better go back across the Pecos
where the rustlers amt so strong"
"All 1 hear Is rustlers, Morton" re
piled Duane, with impatience. "You
see, 1 haven't ever lived long In g
rustler-run county. Who heads the
gang, anyway"
Morton looked at Duane with a cur
iously amused smile, then snapped his
big jaw as If to shut in impulsive
words.
Look here, Morton. 1t stands tc
reason. no matter how strong these
rustlers are, how hidden their work
however involved with supposedly
honest men-they can't last. There
are lot of men around Fairdale who
re afraid of their shadows-afraid to
ha ot1f ftar dnrk-nfrnid In nrau