The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1916-08-10
NOV. your hands. IT. dark but can

He saw a duly bright object-a gun
, before he discovered the man who held
1t. A few more steps showed dark
figure blocking the trail. Here Duane
halted.
Come closer, stranger. Let's have
look at you.' the guata ordered,
CURLY.
Duane advanced again until ne stood
before the man. Here the rays of light
from the fires flickered upon Duane's
face.
Reckon you're a stranger. all right
What's your name and your business
with the captain?"
Duane hesitated. ponderirE what best
to say.
Tell Captain MacNelly Nm the man,
he's been asking to ride into his camp
after dark" finally said Duane.
The ranger bent forward to peer hard
at this night visitor. His manner had
been alert, and now it became tense.
Come here, one Of you men, quick"
he called. without turning in the least
toward the camp fire.
Hello! What's up, Pickens?" came
| the swift reply. 1t was followed by
rapid thud Of boots on soft ground. A
dark form crossed the CLEANS from the
firelight; Then ranger loomed up to
reach the side Of the guard. Duane
| heard whispering, the purport of which
he could not catch. The second ranger
swore under his breath. Then he
turned away and started back.
Here, ranger, before you go, under
friendly If you'll let it be. Mind, was
asked to come hereafter dark"
Duane's clear penetrating voice car
| ried far. The listening rangers at the
camp fire heard what he said.
"Ho PicAens! Tell that fellow to
wait" replied an authoritative voice.
Then slim figure detached itself from
the dark, moving group at the camp
lire and hurried out.
Better be foxy, Cap" shouted a
ranger in warning
Shut up-all of YOU" was the reply.
mis- officer, obviously Captain Mac
Nelly, soon joined the two rangers who
We're confronting Duane. He had no
fear. he strobe straight up to Duane.
I'm MacNelly," he said. IF you're
my man. don't mention your name
yet
All this seemed so strange to Duane,
In Keeping with much that had hap
pened lately.
Il met Jeff Aiken today" said Duane.
He sent me"
You've met Aiken!" exclaimed Mac
Nelly, sharp, eager, low. by all that's
bully! Then he appeared to catch him
self, to grow restrained
moment"
The rangers slowly withdrew,
Buck Duane! It's your" he whis-
pered, eagerly.
Yes"
IF l give my word you'll not be ar
rested-youll be treated fairly-will
you come into camp and consult with
me?"
Certainly"
Duane, I'm sure glad to meet you,"
went on MacNelly; and he extended his
hand.
Amazed and touched scarcely realiz-
ing this actually, Duane gave his hand
and felt no unmistakable grip Of
of warmth
1T doesn't seem natural, Captain
MacNelly, but believe I'm glad to
meet YOU" said Duane. soberly.
You will be. Now We'll go back to
camp. Keep your identity mum for the
He led Duane in the direction Of the
camp fire.
'Pickens, go back on duty" he or
dered. and, Beeson you look after
this horse.''
When Duane got beyond the line of
mesquite, which had hid good view
of the camp site, he saw a group Of
perhaps Is rangers sitting around the
fires, near long low shed where horses
were feeding, and a small adobe house
at one side.
We've just had grub, but I'll see you
ii
Nelly. I've taken up temporary quar-
ters mere. Have rustler job on hand.
Now, when you've eaten, come right in
to the house.
Duane was hungry, but he hurried
through the ample supper that was set
establishment The only way he could,
account for his presence there in a
rangers camp was that MacNelly hoped
to get useful information out Of him
Still that would have hardly made this
captain SO eager. There was a nys-
terry here and Duane could scarcely
wait for it to be solved While eating
he had bent keen eyes around him
After a first quiet scrutiny the rangers
apparently paid no more attention to
him. They were all veterans in SER
vice-Duane saw that-and rugged
powerful men Of iron constitution. De-
spite the occasional joke and sally of
the more youthful members and a gem
eral conversation of camp fire nature,
Duane was not deceived about the fact
that his advent had been an unusual
and striking one, which had caused an
undercurrent Of conjecture and even
CONSERVATION among them. These
rangers were too well trained to ap-
pear openly curious about their cap
tain's guest. If they had not delibsr-
ately attempted to be oblivious of his
presence Duane would have concluded
they thought him an ordinary visitor
somehow of use to MacNelly. AS it
was Duane felt a suspense that must
have been due to a hint of his Identity
He was not long in presenting him
self at the door Of the house.
Come in and have a chair" said
MacNelly, motioning for the one other
occupant Of the room to rise. Leave
US, Russell, and close the door. I'll be
through these reports right off,
MacNelly sat at a table upon which
was a lamp and various papers. Seen
In the light he was fine looking, SOL
dierly man Of about 40 years, dark
haired and dark eyed, with bronzed
face. shrewd, stern, strong, yet not
wanting in kindness. He scanned
hastily over some papers, fused with
them, and finally put them in envel-
cpes. Without looking up he pushed y
cigar case toward Duane and, upon
Duanes refusal to smoke, he took q
cigar. rose to light 1T at the lamp Chin
ney, and then, settling back in his
chair, he faced Duane, making vain
attempt to hide what must have been
the fl11fil,nenf Cf lone ,,o,,,;rhad ,,,,;