The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1916-10-12
CHAPTER XVIII.

Duane left the hall, elbowed his
way through the crowd, and went
down the street. He was certain that
on the faces of some men he had seen
ill-concealed wonder and satisfaction.
He had struck some kind of hot
trail, and he meant to see where it
led. 1t was by no means unlikely
that Cheseldine might be at the other
end. Duane controlled q mounting
eagerness. But ever and anon it was
shot through with a remembrance of
Ray Longstreth. He suspected her
father of being not what he pretended.
He was troubled.
Upon returning to the inn he found
Laramie there, apparently none the
worse for his injury.
"How are you, Laramie?" he asked.
'That was q good crack Snecker gave
YOU"
Il amt accusin' b." demonstrated
Laramie, with eyes that made Duane
thoughtful.
"Well, I accuse him. l caught him
took him to Longstreth's court. But
they let him CO."
Laramie appeared to be agitated by
| this intimatiOn Of friendship.
"See here, Laramie" went on
| Duane, "in some parts of Texas it's
policy to be close-mouthed. Policy
and health-preserving Between our
selves, want you to know | lean
| ~, xyo11r e,i1o Of tho fnnPQO
Laramie gave a quick start. Pre-
sently Duane turned and frankly met
| his gaze. He had startled Laramie
| out of his habitual set taciturnity
but even as he looked the light that
might have been amaze and joy faded
out of his face, leaving it the same
old mask. Still Duane had seen
enough. Like a bloodhound he had
q scent.
Talking about work, Laramie,
who'd you say Snecker worked for?
"When he works at all, which sure
amt often, he rides for LOngstreth.' >
"Humph! Seems to me that Long
streth's the whole circus round Fair
dale. 1 was surprised to hear some
one say Longstreth owned the Hope
SO joint"
"He owns considerable property
hereabouts,'' replied Laramie, con
STRANGELY.
"Humph again! Laramie, like every
other fellow l met in this town
you're afraid to open your trap about
Longstreth. Get me straight, Lara
ME. For cause I'd throw a gun on
him just as quick as on any rustlel
in Pecos."
talks cheap" replied Laramie
making light of his buster, but the
red was deeper in his face.
"Sure. 1 know that" Duane said
"And usually 1 don't talk. Then it's
not we'll known that Longstretf
owns the Hope So?'
Reckon it's known in Peeos, al
right. But Longstreth's name ISM
connected with the Hope So. Blandy
runs the place"
''That Blandy. His faro game:
crooked, or I'm locoed bronch. Tina
Hope So place ought to be run by
good fellow like you, Laramie"
Thanks" replied he; and DUANE
imagined his voice little husky
Didn't you hear 1 used to-run it
built the place, owned it for clever
years"
"Well, I'll be doggoned." 1t wa
indeed Duane's turn to be surprised
and with the surprise came a glim
mering. I'm sorry you're not Their
now. Did you sell out?"
mo. Just lost the place"
, Laramie was bursting for relic
; now-to talk, to tell. Sympathy ha
| made him soft. "It was two year
| ago-two years last March," he wen
on. 81 was in big cattle deal wit
; Longstrerh. We got the stock-ar
my share. eighteen hundred heao
t was rustled off. / owed Longstret
He pressed me. 1t came to a Law
2 | sultan WAS ruined"
t 1t hurt Duane to look at Laramie
= lie was white, and Sears rolled dow
1 10y cheeks. Duane Saw the bitterness: