Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-07-13
CHAPTER TX (continued).

Duane shot him. He fell forward, his
gun exploding as it hit the floor, and
dropped loose from stretching fingers.
Duane stood over him, stopped to turn
him on his back. Bland looked up with
clouded gaze, then gasped his last.
Duane, you've killed him." cried
Kate Bland, huskily. g" knew you'd
have to-"
She staggered against the wall, her
eyes dilating, her strong hands clinch-
ing, her face slowly whitening. She APP
peared shocked, half stunned. but
showed no grief.
"Jennie!" called Duane, sharply.
"Oh-Duane!" came a hating reply.
Yes. Come out. Hurry"
She came out with Uneven steps,
seeing only him, and she stumbled over
swung her behind him. He feared the
woman when she realized how she had
been duped. His action was protective,
and his movement toward the door
equally as significant.
"Duane!." sried Mrs. Bland.
It was no time for folk. Duane edged
on, keeping Jennie behind him. At that
momeE there was a pounding of iron
shod noofs out in the lane. Kate Bland
bounded to the door. When she turned
back her amaZement was changing to
realization.
Where re you taking Jen?" she
cried, her voice like a mans.
Set out of my way" replied Duane.
His look perhaps, without speech, was
enough for her. In an instant she was
transformed into a fury.
You houndf All the time you were
cooling me! o made owe to me! You
let me believe-you swore you loved
me! Now | see what was queer about
you. All for that girl! But you can't
No va hnr Vn,t,J AZ 1aa,,a 49,. -1..-
Give me that girl! Let me-get at her!
SheIl never win any more men in this
camp!"
She was a powerful woman, and it
took all Duane's strength to ward off
her o~nslaughts. She clawed at Jennie
over his upheld arm. Every second her
fury increased.
Help! help! help!" she shrieked. in
a voice that must nave penetrated to
the remotest cabin in the valley.
Let go! Let go!" cride Duane. low
n sharp. He still held his gun in his
right hand, and it began to be hard for
him to ward the wonan off. His cool
ness had gone with her shrek for help.
Let go!" he repeated, and he showed
her fiercely.
Suddenly she snatched a rifle off the
wall and backed away her strong
hands fumbling at the lever. AS she
jerked 1t down, Throwing a shell into
the chamber and cooking the weapon
duane leaped upon her. He struck uI
burning his face.
Jennie. run out. Get on a horse!'
| he said.
Jennie flashed Out of the door.
With an iron grasp, Duane held to
the rifle barrel. He a grasped it witt
his left hand. and he gave such a pui
that he swung the crazed woman of
the floor. Blu he could not loose hel
grip. She was as strong as he.
Kate! Let got"
He tried to intimidate her. She die
mo- see his gun thrust in her face, o,
reason had given way to such an ex-
tent to passion that she did not care
she cursed. Her husband had used the
same curses, and from her lips the,
seemed strange. unsexed, more deadly
Like q tigress she fought him; her face
no longer reSembled a Woman's, The
evil of that outlaw life, the wildness
and rage, the meaning to kill. were
even in such a moment terribly i'm
pressed upon Duane.
He heard a cry from outside-a mans
cry, hoarse and alarming.
1T made him think of loss of time
This demon of a woman might We
block his plan.
Let go!" he whispered. and felt his
lips stiff. In the grimness of that in
slant he relaxed his hold on the rifle
barrel.
With sudden, redoubled, Irresistible
strength she wrenched the rifle dowI
and discharged 1t. Duane felt a blow
q burning agony tearins
through his breast. Then in a frenzy
he jerked so powerfully upon the riff,
that he threw the woman against tn.
wall. She fell and seemed stunned.
Duane leaped back, whirled, flew GU,
of the door to the porch. The shar.
cracking of a u halted him. He saw
Jennie holding to the Bride Of his ba,
horse. Euchre was astride the other
and he had q Colt leveled. and he wa!
firing down the lane. Then came
single shot, heavier, and Euchre'!
ceased. He fell from the horse.
A swift glance back showed to Duan,
q man coming down the lane. Ches,
Alloway! His gun was smoking. H,
broke n a run. Then in an instan
he saw Duane, and tried to check hi
pace as he swung up his arm But tina
slight pause was fatal. Duane shot
and Alloway was falling when his gul
went off. His bullet whistled close t,
Duane ard thudded into the cabin.
Duane bounded down to the horses
Jennie was trying to hold the plungin,
bay. Euchre lay. flat on his back, dead
e bullet hole in his shirt, his face Sc
hard. and his hands twisted around gul
and bride.
Jennie, you've nerve, all right!
cried Duane. as He dragged down tn
horse she was holding. .Up with yo'
now! Therei Never mind-long stir
| runs! Hang on somehow"
He caught the bride out NJ En-
chre's clutching grip and leapedt astrids
The frightened horses Jumped into
run and thundered down the lare int
the road. Duane saw men running fror
cabins. He heard shouts. But ther
were no shots fired. Jennie seemed abl
to stay on her horse. but without stir
9rups she was thrown about SO niue
that Duane rode closer and reached gu
co. grasp her arm.
Thus they rode th~rouEhthe vale
rs the trail that led up over the stee
and broken Rim Rock. AZ they bega
to climb. Duane looked back. No pur
nuers were In sight.
~Jennie. we're Koing to ret AWAY!
No cried. exulta ton for her In his voic'
She Wao casing horror stricken 9
Ills breAst. - IN turning to look BAG
he fnced her.
sOh. Duane. your shirts. all bloody!
she nltersd, pointing with trenholm
fiu~eF1
with Nor words Duane became awss
Sfsts,o thinss-thc hand ne Instructive