The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1916-06-29

word TO her. What little communication
he had with her was through Euchre,
who carried short messages. Blu he
caught glimpses of her every time he
went to the Bland house. She contrive6
somehow to pass door or window, to
give him a look when chance afforded.
And Duane discovered with surprise
that these moments We're more thrilling
70 him than any with Mrs. Bland. Often
Duane knew Jennie was sitting just
inside the window, and then he felt in
spired in his talk, and it was all made
for her. So at least she came to know
him while as yet she was almost a
stranger. Jennie had been instructed by
lIuchre to listen. to understand that
this was Duane's only chance to help
keep her mind from constant worry, to
gather the import of every word which
had q double meaning.
Euchre said hat the girl had begun
to wither under the strain, to burn up
with intense hope which had famed
within her. But all the difference Duane
could see was a paler face darker,
more wonderful eyes. The eyes seemed
to be entreating him to hurry. that time
was flying, that soon it might be too
late. Then there was another meaning
in them, Il light, a strange fire wholly
lneXplicible to Duane. 1t was only a
flash gone in an instant. But he re-
memberSd it because he had never seen
it in any other woman's eyes. And all
through those waiting days he knew
that Jennie's face, and especially the
warm, fleeing glance she gave him.,
was responsible for a subtle and gra-
dual change in him. This change, he
fancied, was only that through remem
brance of her he got rid Of his pale,
sickening ghosts.
One day a careless Mexican threw a
| fphtnI oipn tatta ny, info thn l,,,.n
mating that served as a ceiling for
Benson's den. and there was a fire
which left little more than the adobe
walls standing. The result was that
while repairs were being made there
was no gambling and drinking. Time
hung very heavily on the hands of some
two score outlaws. Days passed by
without a braWl, n BANDS valley
saw more successive hours of peace
than ever before. Duane, however,
found the hours anything but empty.
He spent more time at Mrs. BANDS;
he walked miles on all the trails lead
ing out OF the valley; he had a care
for the condition of his two horses.
Upon his return from the latest of
these tramps, Euchre suggested that
they go down to the river to the BOAT
landing.
Ferry couldn't run ashore this morn
in" said Euchre. River gettin' low
tiI IStllN pAl . lllAhiil IL Gli lCI ioSoNs
There's a sreaser freight wagon stuck
in the mud. l reckon we might hear
news from the ~freighters. BANDS sup
posed to be in Mexico
Nearly all the outlaws in camp were
assembled on the river bank, lolling in
the shade of the cottonwoods. The heat
was oppressive. Not an outlaw offered
to help the freighters, who were trying
to dig a heavily freighted wagon out of
the q~uicksand. Few outlaws would
work for themselves, let alone for the
despised Mexicans.
Duane and Euchre Joined the lazy
group and sat down with them. Euchre
lighted a black pipe, and, drawing his
hat over his eyes, lay back in comfort
after the manner of the majority of the
outlaws. But Duane was alert, observ-
ing, thoughtful. He never missed any
thing. 1t was his belief that any mo-
ment an idle word might be of benefit
to him. Moreover, these rough men
were always interesting.
"Bland's been chased acrost the riv-
err" said one.
NAV. he's deliverin' cattle to tibet
Cuban ship" replied another.
big deal on. hey?"
Some big. Riggs says the boss he'd
an order fer $4,000"
fill"
Nav; Hardin is in cahoots with
Bland. Between EN- they'll fill or
ders bigger'n tibet"
Wondered what Hardin was rustiin'
in here fer"
Duane could not possibly attend to
all the conversation among the out
laws. He endeavored to get the drift
of talk nearest to him.
Kid Fuller's goin' to cash. said a
sandy whiskered little outlaw.
$50 Jim was tellin' me. Blood poi
| son amt jt2 Thaf hoIa uyo c~,t LoJ
But he took the fever" rejoined a COM
rade.
"Deger says the Kid might pull
through if he he'd nursin'."
wal, Kate Bland amt nursin' any
shot up boys these days. She hasn't
go time"
A laugh followed this sally; then
came a penetrating silence. Some of
the outlaws glanced good naturedly at
Duane. They bore him no i'll will.
Manifestly they were aware of Mrs.
BANDS i~nfatuation.
before"
Shore. Wal, it's happened before"
This remark drew louder laughter
and more significant glances at Duane.
He did not choose to ignore them any
longer.
Boys, poke all the fun you like at
me, but don't mention any lady's name
again. My hand is nervous and itchy
these days"
He smiled as he spoke, and his speech
was drawled, but the good humor in no
wise weakened it. Then his latter re-
mark was significant to a class of men
who from inclination and necessity
practiced at gun drawing until they
wore callous and sore places on their
thumbs and in%culcated in the very
deeps OF their nervous organization a
habit that made even the simplest and
most innocent motion of the hand end
at or near the hip. There was some
thing remarkable about a gun fighters
hand. 1t V seemed to be gloved,
never to be injured, never out of sight
or in an awkward position.
There were grizzled outlaws in that
group, some of whom had many
notches on their gun handles, and they,
with their comrades, accorded Duane
silence that carried conviction Of the
regard in which he was held.
Duane could not recall any other in
stance where he had let fall a familiar
speech to these men. and certainly he
had never before limited of his posi-
bllities. He saw instantly that he could