The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-09-07

ness. But ever and amor it was shot
through with a remembrance of Ray
Longstreth. He suspected her father
of being not what he pretended. He
might, very probably would, bring sor-
row and shame to this young woman.
The thought made him smart with
pain. She began to haunt him, and
then he was thinking more OF her
beauty and sweetness thar Of the dis
grace he might bring upon her. Some
strange emotion, long locked inside
Duane's heart, knocked to be heard, to
be let out. He was troubled.
Upon returning to the inn he found
Laramie there, apparently nom the
worse for his injury.
How are you, Laramie?" he asked.
Reckon I'm feelin' as well as could
be expected" replied Laramie. His
not conceal the lump where he had
been struck. He looked pale, but was
bright enough.
THAT was a good crack Snecker gave
you," remarked Duane.
II amt accusin' b. demonstrated
Laramie, with eyes that made Duane
thoughtful.
We'll, l accuse him. I caught him
took him to Longstreth's court. But
they let him 60" ~~
Laramie appeared to be agitated by
this intimation of friendship.
See here, Laramie" went on Duane,
lin some parts of Texas it's policy to
be close mouthed. Policy and health
preserving! Between ourselves, / want
you to know 1 lean on your side Of the
fence"
Laramie gave a quick start. Pres
emily Duane turned and frankly met
his gaze. He a startled Laramie out
of his habitual set t~aciturnity; but
eve as he looked the light that might
! h va ham a M no nya1 SAy fa1A1 A,,N -
his face, leaving 1t the same old mask.
Still Duane had seen enough. Like a
bloodhound he had n scent.
Talking about work, Laramie, who'd
you say Snecker worked for?"
Il didn't say"
We'll, say 81 nov, can't you? Lara
mie, you're powerful peevish today. It's
that bump on your Who does
Snecker work for?"
when he works at all, which sure
amt often, ne rides for Longstreth."
"Humph! Seems to me thai Long
streth's he whole circus round Fair
dale. l vas some sore the other day
to find I was losing good money at
Longstreth's faro game. Sure If I'd
won l wouldn't have been sore-ha, hal
But / was surprised to ear 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 / meet in this town, you're
afraid to open our trap about Long
Streth. Get me straight, Laramie. l
don't care q damn for Colonel Mayor
Longstreth. And for cause I'd throw
a u on him just as quick as on any
rustler in Pecos."
Talks cheap" replied Laramie,
| M a Iii N 1iuhf nf hf1 k11uakA. H,,k Al,o .al
was deeper in his face.
Sure. l know that" Duane said.
And usually 1 don't talk. Then it's not
we'll known that Longstreth owns the
Hope SOP"
Reckon it's known in Pecos, all
right. But Longstreth's name isn't
connected with the Hope So. Blandy
runs the place"
That Blandy. His faro games
crooked, or I'm a locoed bronch. Not
that we don't have lots of crooked
faro dealers. A fellow can stand for
them. But Blandy's near, back handed
never looks you in the eyes. That
Hope So place ought to be run by a
good fellow k you, Laramie"
Thanks" replied he; and Duane
imagined his voice a little husky.
Didn't you hear l used to-run it,"
mo. Did you?" Duane said quickly.
II reckon. l built the place, made
additions twice, owned it for IL years."
well, I'll be d~oggoned4" 1t was in
deed Duane's u to be surprised, and
with the surprise came a glimmering.
I'm sorry you're not there now. Did
you sell out?"
mo. Just lost the place."
Laramie was bursting for relief now
to talk, to tell. Sympathy had made
hin soft.
1T was two a ago-two years
| 10 Gf MI aFnB ~ he want nn NT -vA - -
big cattle deal with Longstreth. We
got the stock-an' my share, 1,S00 head,
was rustled off. l owed Longstreth.
He pressed me. 1t come to a lawsuit
an WAS ruined"
1t hurt Duane to lsok at Laramie. He
was white, n tears rolled down his
cheeks. Duane saw the bitterness, the
defeat, the agony of the man. He had
failed to meet his obligations; never
theleSs, he had been swtndled. All that
he suppressed, all that would have
been passion had the mans spirit not
been broken, lay bare for Duane to see.
He had now the secret of his bitter
ness. But the reason he did not openly
accuse Longstreth, the secret Of his
reticence and fear - these Duane
thought best to try to learn at some
later time. ..
Hard luck! 1t certainly was tough"
Duane said. But you're a good loser.
ana the Wheel turns! NOW,
here's what. / need your advice. I've
got a little money. But before 1 lose
it I want to invest some. Buy some
stock, or buy an interest in some
rancher's herd. What I want you to
steer me OF is a good square rancher.
Or maybe a couple of %ranchers, If there
happen to be two honest ones. Ha, ha!
No deals with ranchers who ride in the
dark with rustlers! I've a bunch Fair
dal Is full of them. Now, Laramie,
you've been here for years. Sure you
must know a couple Of men above sus
picion."
Thank God I do" he replied, feel
ingly. Frank Morton an 81 thinner,
my friends an neighbors all my pros
porous days, an friends still. You can
gamble on Frank an ST. But if YOU
want advice from NEEDN'T invest
money in stock now"
"Why?"
Because any new Teller buyin' stock
these days will be rustled quicker n
he can say Jack Robinson. The pio-
neers, the new cattlemen-these are
easy pickin' for the rustlers. Lord
knows all the ranchers are easy enough