The Elbert County tribune., 1916-12-08
CHAPTER xIv-continued.

Duane avcrted his face moment,
hesitated till the swelling left his
throat. and then said. ITS worth what
went through to-day to hear that"
II can imagine how you feel about
II. When 1 was in the war-but let's
get down to the business of this meet
Ing"
He pulled his chair close to Duane's.
you've had word more than once
in the last two years that wanted to
see you, why didn't you hunt me up"
~ supposed you imagined me one of
those gun-6ghters who couldn't take n
dare and expected me to ride up to
your camp and be arrested"
"That was natural, suppose" went
on MacNelly. "You didn't know me,
otherwise you would have come. I've
been long time getting to you. But
the nature of my job. as far as you're
concerned, made me cautious. Duane,
you're aware of the hard name you
bear all over the SouthwestT
"Once in a while I'm Jared into
realizing" replied Duane.
'Its the hardest, barring Murrell
and Cheseldine, on the Texas border.
But there's this difference. Murrell
in his day was known to deserve his
Infamous name, Cheseldine In his day
also. But I've found hundreds of men
In southwest Texas who're your
friends, who swear you never COM
mitted crime. The farther south
get the clearer this becomes. What
want to know is the truth. Have you
ever done anything criminal? Tell me
the truth. Duane. 1t won't make any
difference In my plan. And when L
say crime / mean what l would call
crime. or any reasonable Texan"
THAT way my hands are clean." re-
piled Duane.
You never held up man, robbed
a store for grub, stole a horse when
you needed him bad-never anything
like that?'
Somehow always kept out of that,
Just when pressed the hardest"
''Duane. I'm glad" MacNelly ex-
claimed, gripping Duane's hand. "Glad
for your mothers sake But, all the
same, In spite Of this, you are Texas
outlaw accountable to the state.
You're perfectly aware that under ex-
isting circumstances, If you fell into
the hands of the law, you'd probably
hang. ct least go to Jail for a long
term
"That's what kept me on the dodge
hll these years." replied Duane.
Certainly MacNelly's eyes mar
bowed and glittered. The muscles
along his brown cheeks set hard and
sense. He leaned close to Duane,
laid sinewy, pressing fingers upon
Duane's knee.
listen to this" he whispered.
Soarsely. IF place pardon in your
Handmade you free, honest citizen
once more. clear your name of infamy,
make your mother, your sister proud
of you-will you swear yourself to n
service, any service demand of you?"
Duane sat stock still. stunned.
Slowly, more persuaslveiy, with
show Of earnest agitation, Captain
MacNelly reiterated his startling
query.
MY Godw burst from Duane.
~What's this? MacNelly, you can't be
in earnestw r.
"Never more SO In my life. I've q
deep game. I'm playing 1t square
What do you say7"
He rose to his feet. Duane, as II
tmpelled. rose with him. Ranger and
each others souls. In MacNelly's
Duane read truth. strong. fiery pur-
pose, hope, even gIadness, and fugi-
tive mounting assurance of victory.
Twice Duane endeavored to speak,
failed of all save hoarse, incoherent
sound. until, forcing back flood of
speech. he found voice.
any service? Every servicel Mac.
Nelly, 1 give my word" said Duane
A light played over MacNelly's face
warming out All the grim darkness
He held out his band. Duane met II
with his in clasp that men uncon-
sciously give In moments of stress.
When they unclasped and Duane
stepped back to drop into chair
MacNelly fumbled for a cigar and
lighting 1t, turned to his visitor
uOW cuiin hHu COOl. ne uhu tiie iooh
of man who had justly won some
thing at considerable cost. His next
move was to take long leather case
from his pocket md extract from II
several folded papers.
Heres your pardon from the Cover.
nor" he said, quietly. you'll see
when you look 1t over. that it's coadi.
4 cfsvx hi
have here the condition will be met"
He smoothed out the paper, handed