Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1916-10-04

you've been standin' there five minute!
live minutes alive before him."
If not hate, then assuredly great pas
sion toward Poggin manifested itsei
IN knelIs scornful, fiery address, IL
gins face. In the ensuing silent pause
knelTs painting could be plainly heard
The other men We're pale. Watchful
cautiously edging either way to the
wall, leaving the principals and Duane
in the center of the room.
Spring his name, then, YOU" sale
Poggin, violently. with Il curse.
Strangely knell did not even look at
the man he was about to denounce. He
leaned toward Poggin. his hands, his
body, his long head all somewhat ex-
pressive of what his face disguised.
Buck Duane" he yelled, suddenly.
The name did not make any great
difference in Poggin. But Knell's pas
%sionate, swift utterances carried the
suggestion that the name ought to
bring Poggin to quick action. 1t was
possible, too. that Knelps manner, the
import of his denunciation, the mean
ing back OF all his passion held Poggin
bound more than the surprise. Fol-
the outlaw certainly was surprised,
perhaps staggered at the idea that he,
Poggin. had been about to stand spon-
sor with Fletcher for a famous outlaw
hated and. feared by all outlaws.
knell waited a long moment, and
then his face broke it's cold immobility
in an extraordinary expression of devil
ish glee. He had bounded the great
Poggin into something that gave him
vicious. montrous joy.
Buck Duane! Yes" he broke out,
hotly. THE Nueces gunman! That
two-shot, ace of spades lone wolf!
You m WE'VE heard 1000 times of
him-talked about him often. An here
he is i'm 'front.' of you! Poggin, o were
backin' F~letcher's new pard, Buck
Duane. An he'd fooled you both but
for me. But l know him.. An L know
why he driften in here. To flash a gun
on Cheseldine--on you-on me! Bah!
Don't tell me he wanted to join the
gang. You know a gunman, for you're
one yourself. Don't you always want
to meet a real man, not a four flush?
It's the madness of the gunman, an l
know it. Well, Duane faced YOU
called you! An when l sprung his
name. what ought you have done?
What would the Observation-Disclosures
expected of Poggin? Did you throw
your gun, swift, like you have so often?
Naw; o froze. An why? Because
here's "a man with the kind of nerve
you'd love to have. Because he's great
-meetin' US here alone. Because you
know he's a wonder with a gun an
SOo iONC iiAC. ocCduSS yoo dA L dll
every damned nan here had to take his
front, each to himself. If we all drew
we'd kill him. Sure! But who's goin'
to lead? Who was goin' to be first ?
Who was goin' to make him draw? Not
you, Poggin! You leave that for a les
ser man-me-who've lived to see you
a coward. 1t once to every gun
man. You've met your match in Buck
Duane. An, by God. I'm glad! Here's
once l show you up!"
The hoarse, haunting voice failed.
Knell stepped back from the comrade
he hated. He was wet, shaking, hag-
gard. but magnificent.
Buck Duane, do you remember
Hardin?" he asked, in scarcely audible
voice.
Yes" replied Duane, n a flash of
insight made clear Knelrs attitude.
You me him-forced him to draw
killed him?"
Yes"
Hardin was the best pard ever
had"
His teeth clicked together tight, and
his lips set in a thin line.
The room grew still. Even breath
ing ceased. The time for words mad
passed. In that long moment Of sus-
pense knells body gradually %stiffened,
and at last the %quivering ceased. He
crushed. His eyes had a soul piercing
fire.
Duane watched them. He waited.
He caught the thought-the breaking
Of Knell's muscle bound rigidity. Then
he drew.
Through the smoke of his gun he
saw two red spurts of flame. KnelIs
bullets thudded into the ceiling. He
fell with a scream like a wild thing in
agony.
Duane did not see Knell die. He
watched Poggin. And Poggin, like a
stricken and %astounded man, looked
down upon his PROSTATE comrade.
Fletcher ran at Duane with hands
aloft.
Hit the trial, you liar, or you'll hev
to kill mel" he yelled.
With hands still up, he shouldered
and bodied Duane out of the room.
Duane leaped on his horse. spurred.
and plunged away.