The Dolores star., 1916-12-01

He was game. He had the courage
that forced Duane to respect him.
Duane just saw him measure the dis.
tance to that gun. Duane would have
to kill him.
"Longstreth, listen," cried Duane,
swiftly. The games up. You're
done. But think of your daughter !
I'll spare your life-rH try to get
you freedom on one condition. For
her sake! I've got you nailed-an the
proofs. There lies Lawson. You're
alone. I've Morton and men to my aid.
Give up. Surrender. Consent to de-
mands, and I'll spare you. Maybe I
can persuade MacNelly to let you go
free back to your old country. It's
for Rays sake! Her life. perhaps her
happiness, can be saved! Hurry,
man! Your answerT"
Suppose I refuse" he queried, with
a dark and terrible earnestness.
"Then I'll kill you In your tracks !
You can't move a hand! Your word
or death! Hurry. Longstreth! Be a
man! For her sake! Quick! An
other second now-I'll kill you!"
"All right, Buck Duane. 1 give my
word" he said. and deliberately walk
ed to the chair and fell into it.
Longstreth looked strangely at the
bloody blot on Duane's shoulder.
"There come the girls! r. he sudden
ly exclaimed. "Can you help me
drag Lawson insIde1 They mustn't see
him."
Duane was facing down the porch
toward the court and corrals. Miss
Longstreth and Ruth had come in
sight, were swiftly approaching. evi-
IDENTIFY alarmed. The two men sue
ceeded in drawing Lawson into the
house before the girls saw him.
'Duane, you're not hard hit?" said
Longstreth.
Reckon not" replied Duane.
I'm sorry. II only you could have
told me sooner! Lawson! Always
I've split over him!"
"But the last time. Longstreth."
"Yes. and I came near driving you
to kill me, too. Duane. you talked me
out Of it For Rays sake! She'll be
In here IN a minute. This II be hard
er than facing q gun"
Hard now. But I hope 1t II turn
out all right"
"Duane, will you do me a favorr'
he asked. and he seemed shamefaced.
"Sure."
Let Ray and Ruth think Lawson
shot you. He's dead. 1t can't matter.
Duane, the old side Of my life II
coming back. It's been coming. And,
I'd change places with Lawson If 1
couldI"
"Glad you-said that, Longstreth," !"
replied Duane. "And sure-Lawson
plugged me. It's our secret"
Just then Ray and Ruth entered the
room. Duane heard two low cries, 80
different in tone. and he saw two
white faces. Ray came to his side.
She lifted shaking hand to point at
the blood upon his breast. White and
mute, she gazed from that to her
father.
"Papaw cried Ray. wringing her
hands.
Don't give way" he replied. husk-
lily. Both you girls will need your
nerve. Duane isn't badly hurt. But
Floyd isis dead. Listen. Let me
tell it quick. There's been a fight. 1t
1t was Lawson-it was Lawson's
gun that shot Duane. Duane let me
of. In fact, Ray. he saved me. I'm
to divide my property-return SO far
as possible what I've stolen-leave
Texas at once with Duane, under ar
rest. He says maybe he can get Mac
Nelly, the ranger captain, to let me
60. For your sake!"
She stood there, realizing her deliver
ance, with the dark and tragic glory
of her eyes passing from her father
TO Duane.
"You must rise above this" said
Duane to her. II expected this to
ruin you. But your father is alive
He will live it down. I'm sure can
promise you he'll be free. Perhaps
back there in Louisiana the dishonor
will never be known. This matter Of
land, water, a few stray head Of stock
had to be decided out Of court. To
protect himself he bound men to him
He could not control them. He be.
came involved with them, and SO he
grew into the leader because he was
the strongest. Whatever he is to be
judged for. think he could have been
Infinitely worse"