Tombstone epitaph., 1916-12-03

| ascent, yet here they were, even fin | changed light, familiar to his sight. what he had once seen was pictured
 on his mind. And, true as deer
 striking for home, he reached the can
 yon where he had left his horse. Bull
 let was quickly and easily found. Duane threw on the saddle and pack,
 cinched them tight. and resumed the descent.
 Hours passed as moments. Duane
 was equal to his great opportunity.
 But he could not quell that self in
 him which reached back over the
 lapse of lonely, soaring years and
 found the boy in him. Duane knew
 he was not just right in part of his
 mind. Small wonder that he was not
 insane. he thought! He tramped on downward. his marvellous faculty for covering rough ground and holding to the true course never before even in flight so keen and acute. Yet all the time a
 spirit was keeping step with him. Thought of Ray Longstreth as he had left her made him weak. He saw her white face, with It's sweet sad lips and the dark eyes so tender and tragic.
 The moon sloped to the west. Shad- ows of trees and craGs now crossed to the other side of him. The stars dimmed. Then he was out of the rocks, with the dim trail pale at his feet. Mounting Bullet, he made short work of the long slope and the foothills and the rolling land leading down to Ord. The little outlaw camp, with it's shacks and cabins and row of houses, lay silent and dark under the palinS moon. Duane passed by on the lower trail, headed into the road, and put Bullet to a gallop. He watched the dying moon, the waning stars, and the east. He had time to spare, so he saved the horse. Knell would be leav- ing the rendezvous about the time Duane turned back toward Ord. Be- tween noon and sunset they would meet.
 The night wore on. The moon sank behind low mountains in the west The stars frightened for while. then faded. Gray gloom enveloped the world. thickened, lay Ike smoke over the road. Then shade by shade 1t frightened. until through the transpar- ent obscurlty shone a dim light.
 Duane reached Bradford before | dawn. He dismOunted some distance ! from the tracks, tied his horse, and | then crossed over to the station. He | heard the clicking of the telegraph | and 1t thrilled him. An operator sat inside reading. When Duane tapped on the window he look ed up with startled glance. then went swiftly to unlock the door.
 Hello. Give me paper and pencil. Quick" whispered Duane.s
 With trembling hands the operator Duane wrote out the mes- sage he had carefully composed.
 'Send this-repeat it to make sure hen keep mum. I'll see you again, ioOd-by."
 The operator stared, but did not 'peak a word.
 Duane left as stealthily and swiftly IS he had come. He walked his horse l couple of miles back on the road md then rested him till break of day.
 
 When Duane swung into the wide, ,rassy square on the outskirts of Ord le saw 8 bunch of saddled horses litched in front of the tavern. He new what that meant. Luck still ayored him. If it would only holdl But he could ask no more. The rest yas a matter of how greatly he could nake his power felt. An open conflict gainst odds lay In the balance. That Tould be fatal to him. and to avoid | he had to trust to his name and a new outlaws. He knew what quali- les held them. He knew what to ex- ggerate.
 There was not an outlaw in sight. he dusty horses had covered distance hat morning. As Duane dismounted e heard loud, angry voices inside the lvern. He removed coat and vest, ung them over the pommel, He pack d two guns, one belted high on the ,ft hip, the other one swinging low on he right side. He neither looked nor stened, but boldly pushed the door nd stepped inside.
 The big room was full of men, and very face pivoted toward him, | .nell's pale face flashed into Duane's xift sight; then Boldts, then Blossom .ane's, then Panhandle Smiths, then letcher's, then others that were fami- ar, and last that of Poggin. Though 'uane had never seen Poggin or heard i'm described, he knew him. For he nv a face that was a record of great r nd evil deeds. il There was absolute silence. The utlaws were lined back of a long n lble upon which were papers, stacks N silver coin, a bundle of bills, and a uge gold-mounted gun. N Are you gents lookin' for meT sked Duane. He gave his voice all r le ringing force and power of which ? was capable. And he stepped back, n ee of anything, with the outlaws all a ,fore him. o1 Knell stood quivering. but his face y, fight have been a mask. The other u itlaws looked from him to Duane. b,