The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1916-08-10
CHAPTER x111-(continued).

Toward afternoon, from the top OF {
long hill, Duane saw the green fields
and trees and shining roofs of q towr
he considered must be Shirley. And a
the bottom OF the hill he came upon ar
intersecting road There was placaro
nailed on the crossroad sign post
Duane drew rein near it and leaned
close to read the faded print. 81, 00C
reward for Buck Duane, dead or alive
Peering closer to read the finer, more
faded print, Duane learned that he was
wanted for the murder Of Mrs. jeff Ak
en- at her ranch near Shirley. The
month September was named. but the
date was illegible. The reward WAS Of
fered by the womans husband, whose
name appeared with that of a sheriff's
at the bottom of the placard.
Duane read the thing twice. When he
Strengthened he was sick with the hor-
ror of his fate, wild with passion at
those misguided fools who could believe
that he had harmed a woman. Then he
remembered Kate Bland, and as always
when she returned to him, he cualled
inwardly. Years before word had gone
abroad that he had killed her, and so
-T-Hs easv for men wanting to fix a
crime to name him. Perhaps 1t had
been done often. Probably he bore on
his shoulders a burden of numberless
crimes.
A dark, passionate fury possessed
him. 1t shook him like a storm shakes
the oak. When it passed. leaving him
cold, with clouded brow and piercing
eye, his mind was set. Squirting his
horse, he rode straight toward the viii
lage
Shirley appeared to be a large, pre-
tentiouS country town. A branch Of
some rainroad terminated there. The
main street was wide, bordered by trees
and commodious houses, and many OF
the stores were of brick. A large plaza
shaded by giant cottonwood trees oc-
cupied a central location.
Duane pulled his running horse and
halted him, plunging and snorting, be-
fore group of idle men who lounged
On benches in the shade of spreading
cottonwood. How many times had
Duane seen just that kind OF lazy shirt
sleeved Texas group, Not often, how
ever, had he seen such placid, lolling,
good-natured men change their ex-
preston, their attitude SO swiftly. His
advent apparently was momentous.
They evidently took him for an unusual
visitor. So far as Duane could tell, not
one of them recognized him. had hint
of his identity.
He slid off his horse and threw the
bride.
I'm Buck Duane" he said. II saw
that placarJ-out there on sign post.
It's a damn lie! Somebody find this
man Jeff Aiken I want to see him"
His announcement was taken in alb
solute silence. That was the only effect
he noted, for he avoided locking at
these villagers. The reason was simple
enough; Duane felt himself overcome
with emotion. There were tears in his
eyes. He sat down on a bench, put his
elbows on his knees and his hands to
his face For once he had absolutely no
concern for his fate This ignominy was
the last straw
Presently, however, he became aware
OF some kind of commotion among the
villagers. He heard whisperings. low,
hoarse voices, then the shuttle of rapid
feet moving away. All at once a violent
hand jerked his gun from its holster.
When Duane rose a gaunt man. livid
Of face. shaking like q leaf. confronted
him with his own gun
Hands up, thar, you Buck Duane.'
he roared. waving the gun.
That appeared to be the cue for pan
SeuioRium to break loose. Duane opened
his lips to speak, but IL he had yelled
at the top of his lungs he could not have
made himself heard. In weary disgust
he looked at the gaunt mar. and then
at the others, who were working them
selves into frenzy. He made no move,
however. to hold up his hands. The
villagers surrounded him. emboldened
by finding him now unarmed. Then
Eeverai men lay hold OF his arms and
pinioned them behind his lack. Resist
ance vas useless even il Duane had had
the spirit. Some one of them fetched his
halter from his saddle and with this
they bound him helpless.
People were running now from the
street the stores, the houges. Old men,
cowboys. clerks, boys ranchefs came on
the trot The crowd grew. The increas-
ing claruor began to attract women as
x~<~f1 IL.
then hung back In fright and pity.
Tie presence of cowboys made diff
ference. They split up the crowd, got to
Duane, and lay hold Of him with rough,
business like hands. One OF them lifted
his FISTS and reared at the frenzfed mob
To ia back, to stop the racket. He beat
Them hack into q circle: but It was
GEiefed down SO a voice could be heard.
shut up, viii you-al?" he WAS
ye.ling. Give us chance to hear some
thin Easy soho. There Amt mo-
body g1tr' TO be hurt. Thets right;
eseryi,edy quiet now. Let's see what's
This cowboy, one OF authority, or at
least one OF strong personality. turned
70 the gaurt man who gtill waved
Duane'B gun.
ABE, put the gun down" he gaia. at
might 30 off Here, give IT TO me. Now,
EpAi . W5oBSE WnQS THIS rOpen gent,
an what's he donew
$ The gapnt fellow. WHO appeared now
about TO collapse. lifted shaking hand
and op5nted
. Tibet thar feiler--hess Buck Duane.9
he painted.
& An angry rnnrmur ran through the
surrounding crowd
l The rope.. The rope. Throw 1t over
2 branca. String bis up" cried an ex-f
Cited giilager
4 Buck Duane. Buck Duane
u Hang kin,
The cowboy aiIenced these cries.
Abe. how do you know this fellow
10 Buck Daanegg he asked sharply.
ViIy-fe said 70" replied the man
called Abe
Y Yisatsy came tho exclamation, in
creduiOuEly.
Z It'S tarnal fact painted Abe. way-l
Ing l1fg hands Importantly, He WAS an
snld man and appeared to7 be carried
away With the s3gDi ffaance of his deed
HE Ike to rid his boss dyer us-alL
Then he Jumped of, says nj Wag Buck
fDualle, an no waited TO see jeff Aiken
bad.
This speech eaHsed eecorz eopsfsSs
sd0nza6 noiHy though NOT W Ss4duEtug
ne the fsrsts hen the asoNpoy ass.