The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1916-11-23


sleepless and eternal vigilance.
Mercer was the first yllInge he rod
into fIe had many friends there
Mercer claimed to owe Duane debt
On the outskirts OF the village Their
WIS grave oyergrOwn by brush 81
that the rude-lettered post which
marked Il was scarcely visible 4
Duane as he rode by He had ncye
rcnd the Inscription. But he though
now Of Hardin. For many years Hard
IN had hnrnssed the st0clmcn ant
rnnchers 10 and around Mercer or
an evil day for him he or his outlaws
/ had beaten and robbed man who
( once succ0rod Duane when sore n
need Duane met Ilnrdin 10 the It'll,
I plaza Of the village, called him every
name known 10 border men. tainted
1 hAn 10 draw, and killed him 10 the act
Duane went 10 the house Of one
| Jones, Texan who had known his
father, and there he was warmly re-
ceiyed, The feel of an honest hand.
the voice nf friend the prattle OF
children who were not afraid Of him
or his gun. good wholesome food, and
change Of clothes these things for
the time being made changed man
Of Duane. To be sure, ne dld not often
speak The price OF his head and the
weight Of his burden made him silent.
But eagerly lie drank in all the news
that was told him. In the years Of his
absence from home he had never heard
word about his mother or uncle.
Those who were his real friends on
the border would have been the last
20 make inquiries, TO write or receive
letters that might give clue to
Duane's whereabouts.
Dunno remained all day with this
hospltahle Jones, and as twilight fell
was ioath TO go and yielded to press
Ing Invitation 20 remain overnight. It
was seldom indeed that Duane slept
under roof Early In the evening,
while Duane sat on the porch with two
awed and herO-worshiping sons Of the
house, Jones returned from quick
visit down to the postOllice. Summar-
lily he sent the boys Off. He labored
under intense excitement.
Duane, there's rangers in town" he
ITS all over town, too,
that you're here. You rode in long
after sunup. Lots OF people saw you.
don't believe there's man or boy that
n squeal GA you. But the women
might They gossip. and these rangers
are handsome fcllOws-devlls with the
women"
what company Of rungers?" asked
Duane, quietly.
Company A, under Captain Mac
Nelly that new ranger. He made a
big name In the war. And since he's
been In the range service he's done
wonders. He's cleaned up some bad
places south, and he's working north
"MucNelIy I've heard of him. De-
scribe him TO me-"
"Slight.bWlt chap, hut wiry and !
uugh, Clean fuce, black mustnche and |
iuir, Sharp black eyes. He's got
ook of authority. MacNeIlys fine |
man. Dunno Belongs to good |
southern family. I'd hate to have him
ook you up"
Duane did not speak.
"MRcNelly's got nerve and his rang
RS are all experienced men. Ii they |
Ind out you're here they'll come after
'ou. MacNclly's no gun-fghter, but
ne wouldn't hesitate to do his duty
wen II he fuccd sure death. Which
,c would In this ease Duane, you
mustn't meet Captain MucNclly. Your
ccord is clean, Il it is terrible. You
lever met a ranger or any officer eN-
cpt a rotten sheriff now ant chen,
Ike Rod Brown"
StiIl Duane kept silence. lie was
.ot thinking OF danger. but of the fact
4 how ilecting must be his stay
among friends
i've already fixed mp a pack Of
rub went uu Jones, "rll slip out
% saddle your horse. You watch here"
lie had scarcely uttered the last
worlds when soft swift footsteps
nunied on the hard path. 4 man
uruud iu the gate, The light was
inn, yet clear enough TO disclose an
unusually tail figure. When il APP
rured nearer be- was seen 10 he walk
lg with both Hwus raised. hands high.
lr slowed his stride
Does Burt Jones live hcrcy ho
skrd. IN low, hurried voice
Il reckon I'm Burt What can
% for yuug" replied Jones.
The stranger pecrcd around. stealth
g came closer. still with his hands up.
1T is known that Buck Duane Is
ere. Captain MacNelly's camping on
lr river just out of town. He sends
.urd to Duane to come out there after
urk."
The stranger wheeled aud departed
81 swiftly and strangely as he had
1mv
BUST me Duane, whatever do you
nike Of thut?" exclaimed Jones
"a new one on me, replied Duane,
louEhJfuliy.
"FirSt food thing l ever heard Of
IdcNelly doing Can't make head nor
ais Of 1t. Td have said oft-hund
hat MacNelly wouldn't double-cross
anybody. lie struck me Il square man,
and all through But hell he must
Iean Jreachery. l cant see anything
.sc ia that deal"
Maybe the Captain wants to give I
10 u fair chance to surrender without
loodshCd,' observed Duane. Pretty
ecrnr OF him, IL he meant that"
"IIe invites you 10 come 20 his camp IA
ftcr dark Something strange about
his, Duane. But MocNelly's new
IAN out here. He does some queer
llugs. Perhaps he's getting swelled