The Oakes times., 1916-10-19

Du6he's long arms went out and his
hands clasped her shoulders. He
shook her.
Look ut me-straight In the eyo.
There are decent men. Haven't you
q father-a brOther7"
'They're dead-sisilled by raiders.
We lived In Dimmit County. I was
carried away" Jennie replied. hurried.
ly. She put ur an appealing hand to
him. "Forgive me. I believe-l know
you're good. 1t was ONLY live %
much In fenr-1'm half crazy-I've al.
most forgotten whnt good men are like.
Mister Duane. you'll help met"
"Ycs. Jennie. I will. Tell me how.
What must dot Have you any plan r.
"Oh no. But take me away"
"I'Il try" said Duane, simply. THAT
won't be- easy. though. Are you watched
kept prisOner7"
mo. could run of lots Of times.
But was afraid. I'd only have fallen
into worse hands. Euchre has told
the that. Mrs. Bland heats me. half
stnrves me. but she has kept me from
her husband and those other dogs.
She's been ns good as that. and I'm
grateful. She hasn't done 1t for love
Of me, though. She always hated mo.
And lately she's growing jealous. ]
hear her fighting with Bland about me.
Then I've heard Chess AllOwny try
To persuade Bland to give inc to- him.
Duane. you must be quick II you'd
save Inc."
II realize that" replied he. thought.
fully. II think my difficulty will be- tG
fool Mrs. Bland II she suspected me
she'd have the whole gang of outlaws
ON III" at once"
"Sl'r would that. You've got to be
carrful-nnd quick"
"What kind of woman is she?''
inquired Duane.
"S!i"'s-Sh"'s hrnzcn. I've heard her
with her lovers. They get drunk
sometimes when Hlnnd's away. She's
.:ot 81 terrible temper. She's vain.
She likes nattcry. oh. you could fool
her easy enough if you'd lower Your.
self to-;o-''
"To make love to herr" interrupted
Duane.
Jennie bravrly turned silaincd eyes
to meet his.
My girl. I'd do worse than that tc
get You away from here he said,
blunt'y.
"Eut-D,mnc." she faltcred and
n.:ain sl" put on: the nnpcaln. hand.
"Hland will kill you"
Duane mad" no reply to- this. He
was tryin. To still 81 riSin. strange
timult in his breast. The old emotion
--th" rush Of the nstinc, io kill. He
turncd cold all over.
"Ch"ss AllowHy will kill you II
Bland doesn't" went "n Jennie. with
her tragic eyes on Dunne's.
"Ainy.r he will" replied Duane. 1t
WAS hit!icul, for him to force a smile.
Put II" achieved one.
"Oh. better. take mo off at once" she
said. "Savr me without riSkine so
mnr!-witllout making love t" Mrs.
Rlaml"'
"Sur"ly. if can. There" / see
EncIlr" coming with a womnn"
"Tl,at's her. Oh. She mustn't see
Mo with you"
"Wait "A moment" whispered
Durnr. M Jennie slipped indoors.
''We'v" settled 1t. Don't forget. I'll
hnG some way to get word to you, per-
naps ,nrongh Euchr". Mennwh.i" kacr
up y3ur courage. Remember IN save
you somehow. Wen try strategy first.
Whatever you see or hear me co.
don't :,.iil less of me
Jennie checked him with IL gesture
ana 81 wonderful gray fash of eyes.
"l'll bless you with every drop of
blood in III. heart" she whispered,
pn>Sionatcly.
Ii WAS only as she turned away into
the room that Duane SAW sh, vas
lam" and that she wore McXican
S:rinls over bare feet.
He sat down upon IL bench IN the
porch and directed his attention To
III" approaching. couple. I'll" trees of
the grove wer. thick enou.i, for him
4" make reasonably sure that Mrs.
Bland had not seen him tnliiing to
Jennie. When the outlaws wifi" drew
near the situation took on Il singular
zcst.
Euchrc came up on the porch and
:wkwart!ly introduced Duane to Mrs.
Bland. She was young. probably not
over twenty-five. and not quite so pre-
possessing mt close range. Her eyes
were large, rather prominent. and
brown in color. Her mouth. too. was
large. with the lips full, and she had
white teeth.
Duane took her proffcrcd hand and
remarked frankly that he was glad to
meet her.
| Mrs Bland appeared pleased; and
her laugh which followed. was loud
and rather musical
mfr. Duane-Buck Duane. Euchre
said. didn't he:" she asked.
Buckley" corrected Duane. 'The
nicknnmcs not my choosing"