The Huttig news., 1916-10-07
CHAPTER X.

and Jennie rode back to the main trail, where they hid again till he had rested Then in the dark they rode out of the canyons and gullies of the Rim Rock. and early in the morning halted at the first water to camp.
 From that point they traNeled after nightfail and went into hiding during the day. Once across the Nueces i River, Duane was assured of safety for her and great danger for himself At last, far ahead oyer barren mes quite-dotted stretch of dusty ground, he espied a patch of green and little flat, red ranch-house. He headed his horse for it and turned face he tried to make cheerful for Jennie's sake. She seemed both happy and sorry.
 When near at hand he saw that the rancher was a thrifty farmer And thrift spoke for honesty There were I fields of alfalfa, fruit-trees, corrals, windmill pumps. irrigation-ditches. all 1 surrounding q neat little adobe house. Some children were playing in the yard. The way they ran at the sight i of Duane hinted to both the loneliness and the fear of their isolated lives. l Duane saw q woman come to the door, i then a man. The latter looked keenly, i then stepped outside. He was a sandy l haired, freckIed Texan.
 'Howdy. stranger" he called, as Duane halted. Get down, you an your woman. Say, now, air you sick or shot or what? Let me"
 Duane, reeling in his saddle, bent searching eyes upon the rancher. He thought he saw good will, kindness, honesty. He risked all on that one sharp glance Then he almost plunged from the saddle.
 The rancher caught him, helped him to a bench.
 Martha, come out here!' he called. "This mans sick. No; he's shot, or 1 don't know blood-stains'
 Jennie had slipped off her horse and to Duane's side. Duane appeared about to faint.
 Air you his wife?" asked the raneher.
 No. I'm only girl he saved from 1 odt ols 1lc SO Ddle. 1uauc, i Duanei'
 Buck Duane," exclaimed the ranch CT, excitedly. .'The man who killed Bland an' Alloway? Say, owe him a good turn, an I'll pay it. young woman."
 The rancher's wife came out and with manner at once kind and prac- flpDI pSSava1 ta p1al-a drink from flask. He was not so far gone that he could not recognize it's con tents. which he refused, and weakly asked for water. When that was given him he found his voice.
 'Yes, I'm Duane. I've only over done myself-just all in. The wounds I got at Bland's are healing. Will you take this girl in-hide her awhile till the settlements over among the out laws?"
 "I shore will" replied the Texan. Young man you ain't i'll any shape to travel. I'll take you in along with the girl, an hide both of you till you get we'll"
 Duane's last fading sensations of that hard day were the strange feel of a bed, a relief at the removal of his heavy boots, and of Jennie's soft, cool hands on his hot face.
 
 He lay i'll for three weeks before he began to mend. and it was another week then before he could walk out d little in the dusk of the evenings. After that his strength returned rapid ly. And it was only at the end of this long siege that he recovered his spirits During most of his illness he had been silent, moody.
 Jennie, I'll be riding off soon," he said, one evening. "I can't impose on this good man Andrews much longer I'll never forget his kindness His wife, too-she's been so good to us. Yes, Jennie, you and I will have to say good-by very soon."
 Don't hurry away" she replied.
 Lately Jennie had appeared strange to him. She had changed from the girl he used to see at Mrs. Blands house. He took her reluctance to say good-by as another indication of her regret that he must go back to the brakes Yet somehow it made him observe her more closely.
 'It's likely that we won't see each other again" he said. That's strange to think of. We've been through some hard days, and I seem to have known you long time"
 Jennie appeared shy, almost sad, so Duane change the subject to some thing less personal.
 x
 Andrews returned one evening from several days trip to Huntsville
 Duane, everybody's talkin' about how you cleaned up the Bland outfit he said, important and all full of news. Its some exaggerated, accardin to what you told me; but you've shore made friends on this side of the Nueces. I reckon there ain't town where you wouldn't find people to welcome you"
 "Dld you hear of any outlaws hunt ia,r .ac.l-f,