The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-10-05

IVA &A6 - y k1aA& 80
ing again. How Duane's lucky star
guided him! He had no plan of action.
but his brain was equal to 100 light
ming swift evoiutions. He meant to
take any risk rather than kill Long
streth. Both of the men were out on
the edge Of the shrubbery and crouched
low to watch for his opportunity.
Longstreth looked haggard and thin.
I He was in his shirt sleeves, and he had
come out with a gun in his hand. This
ne laid on a table near the wall. He
Wore no belt.
Lawson was red, bloated, thick
Tipped. all fiery and sweaty from drink,
though sober On the moment and he
had the expression Of a desperate man
in his last stand. 1t was his last stand,
though he was ignorant of that.
What's you news? You needn't be
afraid of my feelings" said Lawson.
Ray confessed TO al interest In this
ranger" replied Longstreth.
Duane thought Lawson would choke.
He was thick necked anyway and the
rush of blood made him tear at the soft
collar of his shirt. Duane awaited his
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
love with her."
Duan reveled in Lawson's condition.
me statement might have had the
force of a juggernaut. Was Longstreth
sincere? What was his game?
Lawson, finding his voice, cursed
Kay, cursed the ranger, then Long
streth.
You damned selfish fool" cried
Longstreth, 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
tho other. Somehow through this girl
her father and cousin were to be be-
trayed. Duane got that impression,
though he could not tell how true 1t
| was. Certainly Lawson's jealousy was
his paramount emotion.
&c hell with you!" burst out Law
son, inopherently. He was frenzied.
I'll have her. or nobody else will"
"You never WILL" returned Long
streth, s~tridently. $50 help me God I'd
rather see her the rangers wife than
yours"
While Lawson absorbed that shock
Longstreth leaned toward him, all of
nate and menace in his mien.
"Lawsrn. o made me what / am"
! continued Longstreth. II backed you-
shielded you. You're Cheseldine-if the
truth Is told! Now it's ended. 1 I Quit
you. I'm done!"
Their cray passion corded features
were still as stones.
"~GentlAaenl" Duane called in far
reaching voice as he stepped out.
l"You're both donei"
They wheeled to confront Duane.
Don't move! Not a muscle! Not
q ~finger!" be warned.
Longstreth read what Lawson had
not the mind TO read. His face turned
from gray TO ashen.
What dye mean yelled Lawson.
fiercely, shrilly. 1t was not in him to
obey a command. to see impending
death.
All quivering and strung, yet with
perfect control, Duane. raised his left
hand to turn back a lapel of his open
vest. The silver star flashed brightly.
Lawson hGwled like a dog. With
barbarous and insane, fury. with sheer
fimpotent folly. he swept "a clawing
hand for his gun. Duane's shot broke
his action.
Before Lawson even tottered, before
he loosed the gun, Longstreth
leaped behind him. clasped him
\ WIN left arm, quick as lightning jerked
the gun from bath clutching fingers and
sheatn. Longs:reth protected himself
win the body 81 the dead man.. Duane
saw red flasha&. puffs of smoke; he
heard quick r~el.orts. Something stung
his left arm. Chen a blow like wind,
light Of sound Jet shocking In impact.
struck him, staggered him. The hot
rend Of lead followed the blow. Duane's
heart seemed Ia explode, yet his mind
Kept extraordinarily clear and rapid.
Duane heard Longstreth work the
action Of Lawson's gun. He heard the
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, cool
and sure now. Longstreth tried to lift
the dead man, to edge him closer to-
ward the table where his w gun lay.
But, considering the peril of exposing
himself, he found the task beyond him.
He bent, peering at Duane under Law
sons arm, which flopped out from his
side. Longstrsth's eyes were the eyes
OF a man who meant to kill. There was
never any m%istaking the strange and
terrible light ot Eyes like those. More
than once Duene a a chance to aim
at them, at the top of Longstreth's
head, at a strip Of his side.
Longstreth flung Lawson's body off.
But, even as 1t dropped-before Long
streth could leap, as he surely intend
ed, for h gun-DUane covered him,
and called p~iercingly toghim:
Don't jump for the gpnI Don't! I'll
49, J~es 1oAS 10 No1s u MIL YOU. .a .
Longstreth stood perhaps 10 feet
from the sable wore 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 I'd
| kill him.
"Longstreth. listen!" cried Duane.
swiftly. "The games up. You're done.
But think of your daughter! I'll spare
| your life-Tn try to get your freedom
on n condition. For her sake! I've
got you nailed-all the proofs. There
lies Lawson. You're alone. I've Nor
ton and men to my aid. Give up. Sur
render. Consent to demands, and Ill
spare you. Maybe / can persuade Mac
Nelly to let you go freezback to your
old country. It's for Rays sake. Her
life, perhaps her happiness, can be
saved! Hurry, mani Your answer!"
Suppose 1 refuse?" he queried, with
a dark and TERRIBLE earnestness.
Then I'll kill you In your tracks!
You can't move a handt Your word or
death! Hurry, Longstreth! Be a mani
For her sake! Quick! Another second
now-Ill kill you'll" ..r ....
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