The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-06-01
CHAPTER /.


not the memory OF his dead father, nor
the pleading OF his soft-voiced mother,
nor the warning Of this uncle who
stood before him now, had brought to
Buck Duane so much realization or
the dark passionate strain in his blood.
1t was the recurrence, hundredfold
increased in power, Of a strange emo
ton that for the last three years had
arisen in him ..
Yes, Cal Bain's in town, full of
bad whisky an huntin' for you" re-
peated the elder man, gravely.
Its the second time" muttered
Duane, as If to himself.
Leave town till Cal sobers up. He
amt got 1t in for you when he's not
drinkin'."
But what's he want me for?" de-
nanded Duane "To insult me again!
I won't stand that twice"
He's got fever that's rampant in
Texas these days, my boy. He wants
gun-play. If he meets you he'll try TO
kill YOU"
Here 1t stirred in Duane again, that
bursting gush Of blood, like wind OF
flame shaking all his inner being, and
subsiding to leave him strangely
chilled.
.KilI me! What for?' he asked.
Lord knows there amt any reason:
the shootin' these days? Didn't five
cowboys over to Everalls kill one an
other dead all because they got to
jerlxin' at a Quirt among themselves
An Cal has no reason to love you.
His girl was sweet on YOU"
II quit when found out she was
his girl" -.. S.. ... ...
II reckon she amt quit. But never
mind her or reasons. Calls here, just
drunk enough to be ugly. He's achin'
TO kill somebody. He's one OF them
four-fiush gun-fighters. He'd like to
be thought bad. There's a lot of wild
cowboys who re ambitious for a rep
utation. They talk about how quick
they are on the draw. They ape Bland
an King Fisher an Hardin an all the
big outlaws. They make threats about
joinin' the gangs along the Rio Grande.
They laugh at the sheriffs an brag
about how they'd fix the rangers. Calls
sure not much for you to bother with,
tf YOU only keep out Of his way" =.
You mean for me to run!" asked
Duane, in scorn.
II reckon wouldn't put II that way.
Just avoid him. Buck, I'm not afraid
Cal would get you IL you met down
there in town. You've your fathers
eye an his slick hand with a gun.
What I'm most afraid Of is that you'll
kill Balm"
Duane was silent, letting his uncle's
earnest words sink in, trying to realize
their significance. 4
IF Texas ever RECEIVERS from that
fool war an kills off these outlaws,
why, a young man will have a look
out" went on the uncle. You're 20
now. an powerful sight Of a fine fell
low, barrin' your temper. You've a
fightin', IL you kin a man, you're
ruined Then you'll kill another. TIN
be the same old story. An the rangers
would make you an outlaw. The rang
ers mean law an order for Texas.
This even-break business doesn't work
with them. If you resist arrest they'll
kin you. If you submit to arrest, then
you go to Jail, an mebe you hang"
'Td never hang" muttered Duane,
darkly. "a w. g., - r
II reckon you wouldn't" replied the,
old man. You'd be like your father.
He was ever ready to draw-too ready.
In times like these, with the Texas
rangers enforcin' the law, you Dad
would have been driven to the river.
An, son, I'm afraid you're a chip off
the old block. Can't you hold in--keep
your temper-rlin away from trouble?
Because it'll only result in you gettin'
the worst of it in the end. Your father
was killed in a street fight An 1t was
told of him that he shot twice afterWa
OuleL hau passed. through MS neart.
Think of the terrible nature Of man
60 be able to do that. II you have any
such blood in you, never give it a
chance"
What you say is all very we'll,
yacle," returned Duane, but the only
way out for me Is to run, and won't
do il. Cal Balm and his outfit have al
ready made me look like coward. He
says I'm afraid to come out and face
him. A man simply can't stand that
In this country. Besides, Cal would
shoot me in the back some day IL 1
didn't face him"
well, then, what re you goin' to
do?" inquired the elder man.
Il haven't decided-yet."
No, but you're comm to 1t mighty
fast. That damned spell is workin IN
you. You're different today. 7 re-
member how you used to be moody an
lose your temper an talk wild. Never
was much afraid Of you then. But
now you're gettin cool an quiet, an
you think deep, an don't like the
light in your eye. 1t remainds me Of
II wonder what Dad would say to me
today IL he were alive and here" said
Duane.
what do you think? What could
you expect of a man who never wore
a glove on his right hand for 20 years >
Vell, ne u IlaTuly nave SalQ muCn.
Dad never talked. But he would have
done a lot. And 1 guess I'll go down
town and let Cal Balm find me-
Then followed long silence, during
which Duane sat with downcast eyes,
and the uncle appeared lost in sad
thought OF the future. Presently he
turned to Duane with an expression
that denoted resignation, and yet a
spirit which showed wherein they were
NJ the anne blood
you've got a fast horse the
fastest I know Of in this coun-
try. After you meet Balm hurry back
home. TIL have a saddle bag packed
for you and the horse ready"
With that he turned on his heel and
went into the house, leaving Duane to
revolve In his mind his singular speech
Buck wondered presently IL he shared
his uncle's opinion of the result Of a
meeting between himself and Balm.
His thoughts were vague. But on the
instant OF final decision, when he had
settled with himself that he would meet
Bairl, such storm OF passion assailed
him that he felt as IL he was being
shaken with ague. Yet 1t was all In
ternai inside his breast, for his hand
was like rock and, for all he could
see. not d muscle about him qufvered.
Trs.fx - mn ~ ~.