Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-09-07
CHAPTER xvI-tcontinued).

table to be heard. lyor or not he
was unable at once to quell the excite
nent. Gradually, however, it subsidized,
and from the last few few utterances
before quite was restored Duane
gathered that he had intruded upon
some kind of a meeting in the hall.
"What d you break in here for" de-
manded Longstreth.
isn't this the court? Aren't you the
mayor Fairdale?" in~terrogated Duane.
His voice was clear and loud, almost
piercing.
Yes replied Longstreth. Like flint
he seemed, yet Duane felt his intense
interest.
I've arrested a criminal said
Duane.
Arrested a criminal" calculated
Longstreth. You? Who re you?"
Pm a ranger" replied Duane
A significant silence ensued.
Il charge Snecker with assault on
Laramie and attempted robbery-if
not murder. He's had a shady past
here. as this court will know if it keeps
a record"
What's this | hear about you, Bo?
Get up and speak for yourself" sale
Longstreth, gruffy.
Snecker got up, not without a furtive
glance at Duane, n he lad shuffled
forward u few steps toward the mayo
He had an evil front, but not the bold
ness even of a rustler.
1T amt so, Longstreth.' he began,
loudly. Il went In Laramie's place for
grub. Some Teller 1 never seen before
came in from the hall IN hit Laramie
a wrastled him on the floor. | went
out. Then this big ranger chased me
an fetched me here. l didn't do MOTH
in. This rangers hangerin' to arrest
somebody. Thet's my bunch, Long
streth.'
Longstreth said something in an I'M
vtN0 ia 49, --1 4Lr4
worthy nodded his great bushy head.
DO, you're discharged" said Long
streth, bluntly. Now the rest Of you
clear out of here"
He absolutely ignored the ranger.
THAI was his rebuff to Duane-his slap
N he face to an interfering ranger
service. If Longstreth was crooked he
certainly had magnificent nerve.
Duane almost decided he was above
suspicion. But his nonchalance, his
air of finality. has authoritative assur-
ance-these to Duane's keen and prac-
tised eyes We're in significant contrast
to a certain tenSenesS Of line about
his mouth and a slow paling of his
olive skin. In that m~omentary lull
Duane's scrutiny OF Longstreth gath
cred an impression of the mans in
tense curiosity.
Then the prisoner, snecker, with a.
cough that broke the spell of silence,
shuffled Il couple of steps toward the
door.
Hold ont" called Duane. The call
halted Snecker, as if it had been a bull
let.
"Longstreth, I saw Snecker attack
Laramie said Duane, his voice still
ringing. "What has the court to say
to that"
"The court has this to say. West of
the Pecos We'll not aid any ranger
service. We don't want you out here.
Fairdale doesn't need YOU
That's a lie, Longstreth." retorted
Duane. 1--WE letters from Fairdale
citizens all begging for ranger service
LongStreth turned white. The veins
corded at his temples. He appeared
about to burst into rage. He was at a
loss for quick reply.
Floyd Lawson rushed in and up to
the table. The blood showed black and
thick in his face; his utterance was in
coherent, his uncomfortable outbreak
Of temper seemed out OF all proper
ton to n cause he should reasonably
have a for anger. Iongstret showed
him back with a curse and a warming
glare.
Where's your warrant to arrest
Snecker?" shouted Longstreth.
Il don't need warrants to make ar
rests. Longstreth, you're ignorant OF
the power of Texas rangers
you'll come none of your damned
ranger stunts out here. I'll block you
That passionate reply Of Longstreth's
was he signal a had been waiting
for. He wanted to force Longstreth's
hand and show the town his stand.
Duane backed clear of everybody.
Men! l call OF you ALL" cried
Duane. piercingly. Il call on you to
witness the arrest of q criminal pre-
vented by Longstreth. mayor of Fair
dale. 1t will be recorded in the report
to the adjusant general at Austin
I Il Inn - II an nNyo pNpNx,~, 49,,
other arrest"
Longstreth sat white with working
jaw.
sLongstreth, you've shown your
hand" said Duane. in a voice that car.
ried far. and held those who heard
ANY onest citizen of Fairdale car
- now see what's nlain-vonrs is a damn
poor hand!. You're going to hear me
call a spade a spade. In the two years
you've been mayor you have never ar.
rested one rustler. Strange, when Fair
dale's a nest for rustlers! You've new.
er sent a prisoner to Del Rio, let alone
to Austin. You nave no Jail. There
have been nine murders during youl
office-innumerable street fights anG
holdups. Not one arrest! But yor
have ordered arrests for trivial of
lenses, and have punished these out O.
suits in your court-suits over watel
rishts. cattle deals, property lines
Strange how in these lawsuits you OF
Lawson or other men close to you were
always involved! Strange how Il
seems the law was stretched to favo,
yo,ir. interests!"
Duane paused in his cold, ringing
speech. In the silence, both outside
and inside the hall, could be heard ths
deep breathing of agitated men. Long.
streth was indeed a study. Yet did HI
betray anything but rage at this inter.
loper?
"Longstreth, here's plain talk for yo,
and Fairdale," went on Duane. /"
don't accuse you and your court o.
dishonesty. I say strange! Law her.
has been a farce. The motive behint
all this laxity isn't plain to me-yet
But I call your hand"
CHAPTER XVII.
Duane left the hail. elbowed his wa,
through the crowd, and went down tn,
street. He was certain that on tn,
faces OF some men he had seen i'll