Tombstone epitaph., 1916-12-10

out on the porch. Duane wormed his way to the edge of the shruhbery and crouched low to watch for his oppor- tunity.
 Longstreth looked hacgard and thin. He was in his shirt-sleeves, and he had come out with q gun in his hand. This he laid on 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 desperate man in his last stand. It was his last stand. though he was ignorant of that.
 "What's your news7 You peedn't be afraid of my feelings" said Lawson.
 "Ray confessed to an 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. patient. cold, all his feel ings shut In wise.
 But why should your daughter meet this ranger?" demanded Lawson, harshly.
 She's Tn love with him, and he's in love with her"
 Duane reveled in Lawson's condi- tion. The statement might have had the force of juggernaut. Was Long streth sincere? What was his gamel
 Lawson. finding his voice, cursed Ray. cursed the ranger, then Long streth.
 "You damned selfish fool!" cried Longstreth in bitter scorn. "All you think of is yourself-your loss of the girl. Think once of me-my home my life!"
 Then the connection suhtly put out by Longstreth apparently dawned up- on the other. Somehow through this girl her father and cousin were to be betrayed. Duane got that impression. though he could not tell how true 1t was. Certainly Lawson's jealousy was his paramount emotion.
 "To hell with you!" burst out Law son. incoherently. He was frenzied. I'll have her. or nobody else willr'
 "You never will" returned Long, streth. stridently. "So help me God I'd rather see her the rangers wife than yours"
 While Lawson absorbed that shock Longstreth leaned toward him, all of hate and menace in his mien.
 Lawson, you made me what I am." continued LonCstreth. q backed you shielded you. You're Cheseldine-if the truth Is told, Now it's ended. I quit you. I'm done!'
 Their gray passion-corded faces were still as stones.
 "Gentlemen Duane called in far reaching voice as he stepped out. You're both done,"
 They wheeled to confront Duane.
 Don't move, Not muscle! Not a finger" he warned.
 LonCstreth read what Lawson had not the mind to read. His face turned from gray to ashen.
 'What dye mean?" yelled Lawson, fiercely. shrilly IL 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 howled like dog. With barbarous and insane fury, with sheer impOtent folly. he swept a ciawing hand for his gun. Duane's shot broke his action.
 Before Lawson even tottered. before he lonsed the gun, Longstreth leaped behind him, c!asped him with left arm, quick ns lightning jerked the gun from both clutching fingers and sheath. Longstreth protected himself with the body of the dead man. Duane saw red flashes. puffs of smoke; he heard quick reports. Something stung his left arm. Then blow like wind. light of sound yet shocking in impact, struck him. staggered him. The hot rend of lead followed the blow. Duane's heart seemed to 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 shell. Longstreth had used up all the loads in Lawson's gun. He cursed us 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 own gun lay. But, considering the peril of ex- posing himself, he found the task be- yond him. He bent peering at Duane under Lawson's arm. which Topped out from his side. Longstreth's eyes were the eyes of O man who meant to kill. There was never any mistak- ing the strange and terrible light of eyes like those. More than once Duane had a chance to aim at them, at the top of Longstrefh's head. at a strip of hIs side.
 Longstreth flung La sons body of. But even as 1t dropped. before Long, streth could leap, as he surely in- tended, for the gun, Duane covered him, called piercingiy to him:
 Don't jump for the gun! pon't' I'll kill you! Sure as God I'll kill your
 Longstreth stood perhaps ten feet from tho tahlA v-hora kfx r~,,.