The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1916-12-28
b. ZANE GREY

The rangers name was a match ap
, piled to powder Haven't ! told you
he'd be dead soon-any time-same
as Laramie ISL"
yes. you mentioned the-the sup
position" replied Longstreth. sarcasti-
cally. 81 inquired, too, just how that
very desired event was TO be brought
about"
The gang will lay him out"
bah p retorted Longstreth, in turn.
lie laughed contemporary.
Floyd, don't be a fool You've
been on the border for ten years but
| you never in all that time saw man
I like this ranger. The only way to
/ get rid of him is for the gang to
draw on him, all at once. Then he's
going TO drop some Of them. TO tell
you the truth, / wouldn't care much.
I'm pretty sick of this mess"
Lawson cursed in amazement His
emotions were all out of proportion
TO his intelligence. He was not ut
all qulck-witted Duane had never
seen a vainer or more arrogant man.
"I.ongstreth. don't like your talk"
he said.
IF you don't like the way talk you
know what you can do" replied Long
streth, quickly. He stood up then,
cool and quiet, with flash of eyes and
set of lips that told Duane he was
dangerous.
We'll after all, that's neither here
nor there went on Lawson, uncOn-
sciously cowed by the other. 1.-THE
thing is, do l get the girI?"
Not by any means except her con-
sent"
You'll make her marry me?"
NO No." replied Longstreth, his
voice still cold, low-pitched.
"All right. Then I'll make her."
Evidently Longstreth understood
the man before him so well that he
wasted no more words. Duane knew |
what Lawson never dreamed of, and |
that was that Longstreth had a gun |
somewhere within reach and meant
to use it. Then heavy footsteps |
sounded outside tramping upon the
porch. Duane believed those foot
steps saved Lawson's life.
There they are" said Lawson, and
he opened the door.
Five masked men entered. They
all wore coats hiding any weapons,
A big man with burly shoulders
shook hands with Longstreth, and the
others stood back.
The atmosphere of the room had
Lawson might have been a
for all he counted. Long
streth was another mana stranger
TO Duane. If he had entertained q
hope of freeing himself from this
band, Of getting away to q safer
country, he abandoned it at the very
sight Of these men. There was power
lere, and he was bound.
The big man spoke in low, hoarse
whispers, and at this all the others
gathered around him close to the
able. There were evidently some
igns of membership not plain to
Duane. Then all the heads were I
ent over the table. Low voices l
poke, queried, answered, argued. 9
~ straining his ears Duane caught q
'ord here and there. They were '
tanning, and they were brief. Duane a
altered they were to have a rendez- il
GUS at or near Ord.
Then the big man, who evidently a
as the leader of the present con- n
ention, got up to depart. He went Il
5 swiftly as he had come and was n
'llOwed by his comrades. Longstreth
repaired for a quiet smoke. Lawson Z
'emed uncommunicative and I'M HI
'ciable. He smoked fiercely and ia
'ank continually. All at once he h'
up as If listening. OF
whats that?" he called suddenly. III
Duane's strained ears were pervad- lie
by slight rustIing sound. az
Must be rat" replied Longstreth.
The rustic became rattle. IL
Sounds like rattlesnake to me-"
i'd Lawson. 3;
Longstreth got up from the table
d peered round the room