The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1916-10-13
CHAPTER VII.

by ghosts haunting his walking and
sleeping hours. He awoke feeling
bright and eager, and grateful to
Euchre for having put something
worth while into his mind. During
breakfast, however, he was unusually
thoughtful, working over the idea OF
how much OF how little he could con
= ffde In the outlaw He was aware of
Euchre's scrutiny.
oval" began the old man, at last
'hOw'd you make out with Jennie
What d you an she talk about?"
ave had little chat. You know
you wanted nae to cheer her up
Euchre sat with coffee-cup poised
and narrow eyes studying Duane.
"Buck, I've seen some outlaws
whose word was good. Mine is. You
can trust me. l trusted you, takin'
you over there an putin you wise to
my tryin' to help tibet poor kid
Thns enjoined by Euchre, Duane be-
gan t. tell the conversations with Jen-
ME and Mrs. Bland word for word.
Long before he had reached an end
Euchre set down the coffee-cup and
began to stare, and at the conclusion
of The story his face lost some of it's
REQ color and beads of sweat stood
out ihickly on his brow.
",Val, if tibet doesn't floor met" he
Ella ulated, blinking at Duane. young
man, l figgered you was some swift,
an sure to make your mark on this
ri, .r; but reckon missed your real
ca ;iber. Do you know what it III take
TO DO all you promised Jen?"
"I ha, emit any idea," replied Duane,
gIevely.
You'll have to pull the wool over
Kite BANDS eyes, an even if she falls
In love with you, which IS shore likely,
tibet won't be easy. An she'd kill you
IN MINI 1t, Buck, if she ever got
wise. You amt mistaken her none,
nre your
mot me, Fucaire. She's a woman.
I'd fnar s,<t more than any man."
-Wai, ynu'Il have to kill Bland an
Chess hiloway an Rugg, an mebbe
some others, before you can ride off
into thu bills with tibet girl"
"All right. I'll meet what comes"
said Duane, quietly. 1.-THE great point
is tc have horses ready and pick the
light moment, then rush the trick
through"
''Thrt's the only chance fer success.
An yc,u can't do it alone"
"rB have to. l wouldn't ask you to
help me-"
az !, TIL take my chances" replied |
ha1y
Jel9.e, you can gamble your last peso
on thet."
Their talked and planned, though in
.rdtfi |, was Euchre who planned,
Du; ho listened and agreed. While
awaiting The return of Bland and his
lieutat ms ii would be well for Duane
20 CIV riendly with the other out
laws a few games of monte,
or ~ ingness to spend little
IT = two Schemers were to
Mrs. Bland every day
carry messages of cheer and
Jennie, Duane to blind the
e :. at any cost. These pre-
il ecided upon, they proceed
into action.
W. -dsk was it to win the friend
rhip of the most of those good-natured
outIaws. There were men among
Them, however, that made Duane feel
that te rril,ie inexplicable wrath rise
In his hreast. He could not bear to be
near thosn. Jackrabbit Benson was
one of II ele men. Because of him and
other Gvitlhws of his ilk Duane could
scarcely ever forget the reality OF
lhinee This was q hidden valley, a
den rendezvous for muir
der rs, wild place stained red by
leeds of wild men. And because of
.hat there WIS always changed at
asss,,here. The merriest, idlest, most
cfreless moment might In the flash of Z
N eye end in ruthless and tragic ac-
f,d 4Duane felt rather than saw
~ rooding shadow over the valley.
without any solicitation or en-
nent from Duane, the Bland y
fell passionately in love with
She launched herself. And the
,ich evidently held her in check n
uewness. the strangeness, and u
aoment the all-satisfying fact u
pect for her. DuaLe exerted
please. to amuse, to inter 81
einate her, and always with n
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