The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-09-14

II can go to Ray, tell her that, make
her believe I'd tell IL broadcast--ten
this ranger--unless she'd marry me"
Lawson spoke breath!essly, with bag
gard lace and Swallowed eyes. He had
no shame. He was simply in the grip
Of passion.
Longstreth gazed with dark. con-
trolled fury at this relative. In that
look Duane saw a strong, unscrupulous
man fallen into evil ways, but still a
man. IL betrayed Lawson to be the
wild and passionate weakling. Duane
seemed to see also how during all the
years of association this strong man
had upheld the weak ne. But that
time had gone for yer, both in intent
on Longstreth's part and in possibility.
Lawson, like the great majority OF evil
and unrestrained men on the border,
had reached a point where influence
was futile. Reason had degenerated.
He saw only himself. ~"
But, Floyd. Rays the one person on
earth who must never know I'm a
~rustlcr, a thief, a red handed ruler OF
the worst gang on the border" replied
Longstreth, impressively.
Floyd bowed his head at that, as IL
the significance had just occurred to
him. But he was not long at a loss.
She's going to find 1t out sooner or
later. I tell you she knows o there's
something wrong out here. She's got
eyes. Mark what l say" Ny"
Ray has changed, l know. But she
hasn't any idea yet that her daddy's q
boss rustIer. Rays concerned about
what h calls my duty as mayor. Also
| think she's not satisfied with my ex-
plantations in regard to certain L-op-
orty." .
Lawson halted in his restless walk
md leaned against the stone mantel-
piece. He had his hands in his pockets.
lie squared himself as If this was his
last stand. He looked desperate, but
on the moment showed an absence of
his usual nervous excitement.
"Longstreth, that nay well be true"
he said. mo doubt all you say is true.
But it doesn't help me. 1 want the
girl. If ] don't get her-I reckon wen
all so to hell"
He might have meant anything, prob
ably meant the worst. He certainly
had something more in mind. Long
streth gave a slight start, barely per-
ceptible, like the switch Of an awak-
ening tiger. He sat there, head down,
stroking his mustache. Almost Duane
saw his thought. He had long ex-
p]erience in reading men under stress
of such emotion. He had no means to
Vindicate his judgment, but his convic-
ton was that Longstreth right then and
there decided that the thing to do was
" al iLh" SoB. fol Ia = al ITO
wondered that Longstreth had not
come to such a conclusion before. Not
~improbably the advent of his daughter
had put Longstreth in conflict with
himself.
Suddenly ne threw off n somber cast
of c~Ountenance, and he began to talk.
He talked swiftly, perSuasively, yet
a imagined he was talking to
smooth Lawson's passion for the mo-
ment. Lawson no more caught the
Hateful significance OF q line crossed, a
limit reached, a decree decided than II
he had not been present. He was OBJ
sessed with himself. How, Duane
wondered, had a man Of his mind aver
lived SO long and gone 80 far among
he exacting conditions of h south
west? The answer a perhaps, that
Longstreth had guided him, upheld
him. protected him. The coming of
Ray Longstreth had been the entering
wedge of ~dissension.
You're too impatient" concluded
Longstreth. You'll ruin any chance
of happiness If you rush Ray. She
might be won. If you told her who /
am she'd hate you forever. She might
marry you to save me. but she'd hate
you. That isn't the way. Wait. Play
for time. Be different with her. Cut
out your drinking. She despises that.
Let's plan to sell out here-stock.
ranch, p~roperty-and leave the country.
Then you'd have a show with her"
Il told you we've got to stick"
growled Lawson, The gang won't
stand for our going. 1t can't be done
unless you want to sacrifice every
thing" =
You mean double cross the men?
Go without their knowing? Leave them
here to face whatever comes?"
Il mean just that"
"lm had pnOnph hut NOT that haa -
returned Longstreth. IF l can't get
the gang to let me off, I'll stay and
face the music. All the same, Lawson,
dld 1t ever strike yod that most of the
deals the last few years have been
yours?"
Yes. If 1 hadn't rung them in there
wouldn't nave been any. You've had
cold feet. and especially since this
ranger has been here" -,
We'll, call it cold feet IL you like.
But L call II sense. We reached our
limit long ago. We began by rustling
Il few cattle-at a time when rustling
was laughed at. But as our greed grew
SO did our boldness. Then came the.
gang, the regular trips, the one ting
and another Till, before we knew 1t
before 1 knew tive had shady deals,
Idu and murders on our record
Ihen we had to go on. Too late to turn
ack
Il reckon we've all said that. None
OF the gang wants TO quit. They ali
think, and think, we can't be touched.
We may DC blamed. but nothing can be
proved. We're too strong"
There's where you're dead wrong
reJoined Longstreth, emphatically. II
imagined hat once, not long ago. |
was pull headed. Who would aver con-
meet Granger Longstreth with a rustler
gang? v changed my mind. I've
begun to think. I've reasoned out
things. We're crooked, and we can't
last. It's the nature of life, even here.
Tor conditions to grow better. The
wise deal for Us would be to divide
equally and leave the country, all of
U.s."
But o and l have all the stock
all the gain" protested Lawson.
III split nine
Il Won't--that settles that" added
Lawson, instantly.
LonSStreth spread wide his hands as
II 1t was useless to try to convince this
man Talking had not Increased his
CaImness, and he now showed more
than Impotence. A dull CLINT cleaned
deep in his eyes.
Your stock and property will last
a long ume-do you lots of good when