The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1916-11-30


laughed.
"You snid Duane--Buck Dunne?"
queried Bland. "Are you n son of that
Duane who was gun.nghter some
years backr
Eyes" replied Duane.
"Never met him, and glad / didn't" |
said Bland, with grim humor. $50 |
you got In trouble and had to go on
the dodge7 What kind OF trouble7"
Had n fight"
Flight? DO you mean gun-playf"
questioned Bland He seemed enger,
curious, speculative.
"Yes. II ended in gun-play. I'm
sorry to say" answered Duane.
"Guess needn't ask the son Of
Duane II he killed his man." went on
Bland, ironically. "Well. I'm sorry
you bucked against trouble in my
camp But. as II IL, guess you'd be
wise to make yourself scarce"
"Do you mean T'm politely told to
move on3" asked Duane, quietly.
"Not exactly that" said Bland, ns II
irritated. "If this isn't free place
equal here. Do you want to Join my
band?"
"No, don't"
"Well, even IL you did, | imagine that
wouldn't stop Bosomer. He's an ugly
fellow. Merely for your own sake,
advise you to hit the trail"
"Thanks. But II that's all, I'll stay"
A. \,
felt that he did not know himself.
Bosomer appeared at the door, push
ing men who tried to detain him. and
MS he jumped clear Of last reaching
hand, he uttered snarl like an angry
dog. Bland and the other outlaws
stand alone. When Bosomer saw
Duane standing motionless and watch
full, strange change passed quickly
in him.
Duane saw all the swift action, felt
intuitlvely the meaning of 1t, and In
Bosomer's sudden change of front. The
outlaw was keen, and he had expected
shrinking, or at least frightened an
tagonist. Duane knew he was mel
ther. Ue felt like iron. and yet thrill
after thrill ran through him. The out
law had come out to kill him. And
now, though somewhat checked by the
stand of stranger, he still meant to
kill. But he did not speak word
He remained motionless for long mo-
ment his eyes pale and steady, his
| right hand like claw.
That instant gave Duane power to
read in his enemy's eyes the thought
that preceded action. But Duane did
not want to kill another man. Still
he would have TO fight, and he decided
to cripple Bosomer. When Bosomer's
hand moved Duane's gun was spout
ing fire. Two shots Only--both from
Duane's gun--and the outlaw fell with
his right arm shattered. Bosomer
cursed harshly, and flOundered In the
dust, trying to reach the gun with his
seeing that Duane would not kill un-
less forced, closed in upon Bosomcr
and prevented any further madness on
his part.
OF the outlaws present Euchre APP
peared to he the one most inclined
to lend friendllness to curiosity; and
he led Duane and the horses away to
Il small adobe shack. He tied the
horses in an open shed and removed
their saddles. Then, gathering up Ste
vens' weapons, he invited his visitor
to enter the house.
II had two roOms--window without
coverings-bare floors. One room, con-
tained blankets. weapons. saddles and
brides; the other stone fireplace,
rude table and bench, two hunks, \
box cupboard, and various blackened
utensils.
snake yourself TO home as long as
you want to stay" said Euchre. 81
amt rich In this worlds roods but
own what's here, an you're welcome" ."
"Thanks. I'll stay awhile and rest.
I'm pretty well played out" replied
Duane.
Euchre gave him keen glance.
"Go ahead an rest. I'll take your
horses to grass"
Euchre left Duane alone in the
house. Duane relaxed then, and me-
chanlcally he wiped the sweat from
his face. He was laboring under some
kind of spell or shock which did not
pass off quickly. When 1t had worn
away he took Off his coat and bolt and
made himself comfortable on the blan-
kets. And he had thought that, II
he rested or slept what difference
would 1t make on the morrow? No
rest, no sleep could change the gray
outlook of the future. He felt glad
when Euchre came bustllng in, and for
the first time he took notice of the out
law.
Euchre was old in years. What
little hair he had was gray, his face
clean shaven and full of wrinkles; his
eyes were half shut from long gazing
through the sun and dust. He stopped.
But his thin face denoted strength
and endurance still unlmpaired.