The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-08-31

and mean a type as Duane had ever
encountered, had, from some cause or
other, been startled. From whatever
point Duane viewed the mans strange
lndecision-his start, his check, his
e had been that Of recognition.
Duane compared this effect with the
suddenly acquired sense he had gotten
OF Colonel Longstreth's powerful per-
sonality. Why had that desperate rob-
Der lowered his gun and stood para
lyzed at sight and sound of the mayor
of Fairdale? This was not answer
able. There might have been a number
or reasons, all to Colonel Longstreth's
credit, but Duane could not under
stand. Longstreth had not appeared to
see danger for his daughter, even
though she a been roughly handled,
and had advanced in front of a cooked
gun. DUANE probed deep into this sin
gular fact, and he brought to bear on
the dining all his knowledge and ex-
perience OF Violen Texas life. And he
round that the instant Colonel Long
Streth had appeared on the scene there
was no further danger threatening his
daughter. Why? That likewise Du-
n could not answer. Then his rage,
Duane concluded, had been solely at
the idea Of his daughter being assault
ed by a robber. This deduction was
indeed a thought disturber, but Duane
put 1t aside to crystalline and for more
Carerul consideration
Next morning Duane found that the
little town was called Sanderson. II
vas larger than he had at first sup
posed. He walked up the main street.
II back again. Just as he arrived
some horsemen rode up to the inn and
dismounted. And at this ju%ncture the
Longstreth party came out. Duane
heard Colonel Longstreth utter an ex-
clamation. Then he saw him shake
hands with a fall man nn orctrath
looked surprised and angry, and he
spoke with force: but Duane could not
hear what IL was he said. The follow
laughed yet somehow he struck Duane
as sullen, until suddenly he espied Miss
Longstreth. Then his face changed,
n ne emoVed his sombrero. Duane
went closer.
Floyd, did you come with the
teams?" asked Longstreth, sharply.
Not me. l rode q horse, good and
hard" was the reply.
"Humph! I'll have a word to say
to you later" Then Longstreth turned
to his daughter. Ray, here's the cou-
sin rye told you about. You used to
play with him 10 years ago-Floyd
Lawson. Floyd. my daughter-and my
niece, Ruth Herbert"
Duane always scrutinized every one
he met, and now with a dangerous
game to play, with q consciousness of
'~OhSSll etu uIluSual Inc Signl1Cant
personality, he bent a keen and search
ing glance upon this Floyd Lawson.
He was under 80. yet gray at his
temples-dark, smooth shaven, with
lines left by wildness, dissipation.
shadows under dark eyes, a mouth
strong and bitter, and a square chin
q reckless, careless, handsome, sinister
face strangely losing the hardness
when he smiled. The grace of a gen.
tleman chung round him, seemed like
an echo N his mellow voice. Duane
doubted not that he, like many a
young man, had drifted out to the
frontier, where rough and wild life had
wrought sternly but had not quite eff
faced the mark of good family.
Colonel Longstreth apparently did
not share the pleasure Of his daughter
and his niece in the advent Of this
cousin. Something hinged on this
meeting. Duane grew intensely curl
GUS, but, as the stage appeared ready
for the journey, he had no further op-
portunity to crafty IL,