Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-10-05

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guided him! He had no plan Of action.
but his brain was equal to 100 light
ming swift evolutions. He meant to
take any risk rather than kill Long
streth. Both of the men were u on
the porch. Duane wormed his way to
the edge of the shrubbery and crouched
low to watch for his opportunity.
Longstreth looked haggard and thin.
He was in his shirt sleeves, and he a
come out with a gun in his hand. This
he laid on a table near the wall. He
wore no belt.
Lawson was red. bloated, thick
Tipped, all fiery and sweaty from drink,
pthough sober on the moment, and he
had the expression of d desperate man
in his last stand. 1t was his last stand.
though he was ignorant of that.
Whats you news? You needn't be
afraid of my feelings said Lawson.
"kay confessed to an interest in this
ranger" replied Longstreth.
Duane thought Lawson would choke.
He was thick necked anyway, and the
rush of blood made hin tear at the soft
chance, patent, cold, all his feelings
shut in a wise.
But why should your daughter meet
this ranger" demanded Lawson,
harshly.
She's in love with him and he's in
ioNS Sltl llei.
Duane reveled in Lawson's condition.
The statement might have had the
force of a Juggernaut. Was Longstreth
sincere? What was his game?
Lawson, finding his voice, cursed
Ray. cursed the ranger, Their Long
streth.
You damned selfish fool." cried
Lohgstreth, in deep bitter scorn. "All
you think of is yourself-your loss Of
the girl. Think once of me-my home
my life"
Then the connection subtly put out
by Longstreth apparently dawned upon
the other. Somehow through this girl
her 1asher and cousin We're to be be-
trayed. Duane got that impression,
though ne could not tell how true it
was. Certainly Lawson's jealousy was
his paramount emotion.
TO Etll with you!" burst out Law
son, inei'herently. He was frenzied.
IN have her, or nobody else will!"
"4ou never WILL" returned Long
streth. s%!ridently. so help me God Ia
rather see her the rangers wife than
yours
Willis Lawson absorbed that shock
Longstre,h leaned toward him, all of
I and menace in his mien.
.Laws'va. you made me what l am"
CONTINUED Longstreth. Il backed YOU
shielded you. You're C~heseldine-if the
truth is told! Now it's ended. | Quit
you. I'm donel"
Ihelr gay passion corded features
were still as stones.
"Gentlsr4en!" Duane called in far
reaching voice as he stepped out.
You're both done!"
They wheeled to confront Duane.
Don't move! Not a muscle, Not
q finger!" he warned.
Longstreth read what Lawson had
not the mind to read. His face turned
from gray to ashen.
WHAT dye mean?" yelled Lawson,
flercely, sl1aliy. It. was not in him to
obey a command, to see Impending
death.
Al quiver3hg and strung, yet with
perfect c%ontrol, Duane raised his left
hand to turn back a lapel of his open
vest. The silver star flashed brightly.
Lawson hcwled like a dog. With
~barbarous and insane fury, with sheer
lhpotent folly. he swept a clawing
hand for his gun. Duane's shot broke
his action.
Before Lawson even tottered. before
ne loosed the gun, Longstreth
leaped behind him. clasped him
Win left arm, quick as lightning ierked
the gun from bath clutching fingers and
sheath. Longs:reth protected himself
with the body # the dead man. Duane
saw red fiasha#:, puffs of smoke; he
heafd quick rel.orts. Something stung
his left arm. lghen a blow like wind
light of sound get shocking in IMPACT.
struck him. staggered him. The hot
rend of lead folS1wed the blow. Duane's
heait seemed Ia explode, yet his mine
Kept eXtraordinaril lily clear and rapid.
Duane heard Longstreth work the
action of Lawson's gun. He heard tha
hammer click. fall upon empty shells
Longstreth had used up all the loads in
LaWson's gun. He cursed as a man
cursed at defeat. Duane waited. coot
and sure now. Longstreth tried to lift
the dead a to edge him closer to-
ward the table where his own gun Law.
But. considering the peril of exposing
himself. he foundt the task beyond him.
lie bent, peerinS at Duane under Law
sons arm, which flopped out from his
side. LongstrGth's eyes were the eyes
OF a man who :neant to kill. There was
never any mistaking the strange and
terrible light sl eyes like those. More
than once Duane had a chance to aim
at them, at the top of Lonestreth's
head, at a strip of his Side.
Longstreth ilung Lawson's BODY off
But, even as it dropped-before Long
streth could leap. as he surely intend
ed Tor the gun-Duane. covered him,
and called piercingly to him:
Don't jump for the gun. DON'T. I'll
XII you! Sure as Cod. I'll kill you!"
iongstrcth stood perhaps 10 feet
from the liable l1ere his gun lay.
Duane saw him calculating chances. Hs
was game. lie had the courage that
forced Duane to respect him. Duane
just saw him measure the distance to
that gun. He was magnificent. He
meant to do It. Duane would have to
kill him.
"Longstreth. listen!" cried Duane.
swiftly. The games up. You're done,
But thlnk of your daughter! I'll spare
your life-IH try to get your freedom
on one condition. For her sake! rye
got you nailed-all the proofs. There
lies Lawson. You're alone. I've Nor
ton and men to ray aid. Give up. Sur
render. Consent to demands. and IN
spare you. Maybe cain persuade Mac
Nelly to let you go free back to your
old country. It's for Rays sake, Her
life, perhaps her happiness, can be
saved! Hurry. mani! Your answer,"
suppose | refuse?" he queried, with
a dark and ter. ible earnestness
Then Til kin you in your tracks,
You can't move a hand, Your word or
death! Hurry, Longstreth! Be a man!
For her sake! Quick! Another second
now-I1l kill you!"
An right, Buck Duane; ! give nv
word" he said. and deliberately walked
to the chair and fell into it.
| IOn@Streth looked stra N oraI,, A..