The Tomahawk. [volume] (White Earth, Becker County, Minn.) 1903-192?, 1916-08-31

anu Tue lear OF CIclT lSOldleu IlNco'
Duane saw woman come to the door.
then man. The latter looked keenly,
then stepped outside. He was a sandy
| haired, freckled Texan.
"Howdy, stranger" he called, as
Duane halted. "Get down, you an
your woman. Say, now, air you sick
| or shot or what? Let me"
Duane, Keeling in his saddle. bent
| searching eyes upon the rancher: He
| thought he saw good will, kinNness,
honesty. He risked all on that one
| sharp glance. Then he almost plunged
from the saddle.
The rancher caught him, helped him
to bench.
Martha, come out here" be called.
"This mans sick. No; he's shot, or
don't know blood-stains."
Jennie had slipped off her horse md
| to Duane's side. Duane appeared
| about to faint.
"Air you his wife?" asked the
| rancher.
mo. I'm only girl he saved from
| outlaws. Oh, he's so pale! Duane,
Duane!"
"Buck Duane!" exclaimed the ranch
er, excitedly. 1.-THE man who killed
Bland an Alloway? Say, I owe him
good turn, an I'll pay it, young
| woman"
The rancher's wife came out, and
with n manner Mt once kind and prnc-
teal essayed to make Duane drink
| from a flask. He was not so far gone
that he could not recognize it's con-
tents, which he refused, and weakly
asked for water. When that was given
him he found his voice.
Eyes, I'm Duane. I've only over
done myself-just all in. The wounds
I got ut BANDS are healing. Will you
take this girl in-hide her awhile till
the excitements over among the out
laws?"
II shore WILL" replied the Texan.
''Youns man you amt in any shape
to travel. I'll take you in along with
the girl, an hide both of you till you
r~t WELL"
Duanes last fading sensations Of
that hard day were the strange feel
of bed, relief at the removal of his
heavy boots, and Of Jennic's soft, cool
hands on his hot face.
| He lay i'll for three weeks before he
began to mend, and it was another
week then before he could walk out
a little in the dusk Of the evenings.
After that his strength returned rapid
| ~. And it was only at the end Of this
long siege that he recovered his spirits.
! During most of his illness he had been
! silent, moody.
Jennie, I'll be riding off soon," he
! said, one evening. II can't impose on
| this good man Andrews much longer.
I'll never forget his kindness. His
wife, too-she's been so good to us.
Yes, Jennie, you and I will have to
say good-by very soon."
Don't hurry away" she replied.
Lately Jennie had appeared strange
to him. She had changed from the
girl he used to see ut Mrs. BANDS
house. He took her reluctance to say
good-by as another indication of her
regret that he must 90 back to the
brakes. Yet somehow it made him
observe her more closely.
"Its likely that we won't see each
other again." he said. "That's strange
to think Of. We've been through some
hard days, and seem to have known
you long time"
Jennie appeared shy, almost sad. so
Duane change the subject to some
| thing less personal.
Andrews returned one evening from
a several days trip to Huntsville.
"Duane, everybody's talkin' about
how you cleaned up the Bland outfit"
| he said, important and all full Of news.
| s'It's some exaggerated, accOrdin' to
what you told me; but you've shore
made friends on this side Of the
| Nueces. I reckon Their? amt town
where you wouldn't find people to
welcome you"
"Did you hear Of any outlaws hunt
ing me?" asked Duane.
| ''Nobody from BANDS outfit is hunt
| in YOU, thet's Shore" replied Andrews.
"Fisher said there never was boss
straddled to 90 on your trail. Nobody
had any use for Bland. Anyhow, his
| men would be afraid to trail you. An
| you could 60 right in to Huntsville.
where you'd be some popular. Reckon
you'd be safe. too, except where some
| of them fool saloon loafers or bad
cowpunchers would try to shoot you
for the glory in 1t. Them kind Of men
| will bob up everywhere you go,
Duane"
"I1l be able to ride and take care OF
myself in day or two" went on
Duane. "Then I'll go-Td like to talk
! to you about Jennie"
"She's welcome to a home here with
u.s.
"Thank You, Andrews. You're a
| kind man. But l want Jennie to get
| farther away from the Rio Grande.
| She'd never be safe here"