Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1916-12-14
his beard.


Reckon he's dead, all right or no.
body'd hey his boss an guns" pres
emily said Euchre.
Mister Duane" began BOsome-. in
low, singing tones. Il happen to be
Luke Stevens side pardner."
Duane looked him over. from dusty,
Worn-eut boots 10 his slouchy SOM
brero. That look seemed to infiame
B0somer.
AN I want the boss an them guns, '
he shouted.
you or anybody else can have them.
for all | care. 1 just fetched them in.
But the pack is mine" replied
Duane. And, say, / befriended your
pard. II you can't use civil tongue
you'd better cinch it."
Civil: Haw. hawr' rejoined the
outlaw. Il amt takin' your word
SavYy tibet? An l was Luke's pard ~
With that Bosomer wheeled. and,
pushing his companions aside, ne
stamped into the saloon, where his
voice broke out in a roar.
Duane dismOunt ed and threw his
bride.
Stranger, Bosolner is shore hot
headed" said the man Euchre. He
did not appear unfriendly, nor were
the others hostile.
At this junCture several more out
laws crowded out of the door, and the
one in the lead was q tall man Of
stalwart physique. His manner pro-
claimed him leader. He had a long
face, a flaming red beard, and clear,
cold blue eyes that fixed in close scru-
tiny upon Duane. He was not Tex
an; In truth, Duane, did not recognize
one of these outlaws as native to his
state.
I'm Bland" said the tall man, au-
thoritatively. Whore you, and what're
you doing here?"
Duane looked at Bland as he had
at the others. This outlaw chief ap-
peared to be reasonable, If he was
not courteous. Duane told his story
again, this time little more in detail.
II believe you" replied Bland at
once. think / know when a fellow Is
lying"
81 reckon you're on the right TRAIL"
put in Euchre. ''Thet about Luke
wantin' his boots took off-thet salts
fies me. Luke he'd a mortal dread Of
dyin' with his boots on"
At this sally the chief and his men
laughed.
You said Duane-Buck Duane?"
queried Bland. Are you q son of that
Duane who was a gun-fighter some
years back?"
yes" replied Duane.
"NeVer met him, and glad I didn't"
said Bland, with grim humor. $50
you got in trouble and had to go on
the dodge? What kind Of trouble?"
Had q fight"
Flight? Do you mean gun-play?'
questioned Bland. He seemed eager,
curious, speculative.
"Yes. It ended In gun-play. I'm
sorry to say" answered Duane.
"Guess / needn't ask the son Of
Duane if he killed his man." went on
Bland, ironically. "Wen, I'm sorry
you bucked against trouble in my
camp. But, as it is, guess you'd be
wise to make yourself scarce"
DO you mean I'm politely told to
move onf' asked Duane, quietly.
mot exactly that" said Bland, as If
irritated. eff this isn't free place
there isn't one on earth. Every man is
equal here. Do you want to join my
band?"
mo, don't"
swell, even if you did, imagine that
wouldn't stop Bosomer. He's an ugly
fellow. Merely for your own sake, I
advise you to hit the trail"
Thanks. But If that's all, I'll stay"
returned Duane. Even as he spoke he
felt that he did not know himself.
BosOmer appeared at the door, push
ing men who tried TO detain him, and
as he jumped clear Of q last reaching
hand, he uttered a snarl like an angry
dog. Bland and the other outlaws
quickly moved aside, letting Duane
Duane standing motionless and watch
full, a strange change passed quickly
In him. He halted in his tracks, and
as he did that the men who had fol-
lowed him out piled over one another
in their hurry 10 get to one side.
Duane saw all the swift action, felt
intuitively the meaning of it, and in
Bosomer's sudden change Of front. The
outlaw was keen, and he had expected a
shrinking, or at least a frightened an
tagonist. Duane knew he was nei-
Their. He felt like iron, snd vet thrill
after thrill ran through him. The out
law had come out to kill him. And
now, though somewhat checked by the
stand of stranger, he still meant to
kill. But he did not speak a word.
He remained motionless for a long mo-
ment, his eyes pale and steady, his
right hand like claw.
That instant gave Duane power to
read in his enemy's eyes the thought
that preceded action. But Duane did
not want to kill another man. Still,
he would have to fight, and he decided
to cripple Bosomer. When Bosomer's
hand moved Duane's gun was spout
ing fire. Two shots only-both from
Duane's gun-and the outlaw fell with
his right arm shattered. Bosomer
cursed harshly, and fioundered in the
dust, trying TO reach the gun with his
left hand His comrades houaycr