Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1916-05-31
FOR you and the horse ready"

revolve in his mind his singular speech
Buck wondered presently if he shared
his uncle's opinion of the result of a
meeting between himself and Balm
His thoughts were vague. But on the
instant of tina decision. when he had
settled with himself hat he would meet
Balm, such a storm of passion assailed
him that he felt as if he was being
shaken with ague. Yet it was all in
ternal. inside his breast, for his hand
was like a rock and. for all he could
see, not Il muscle about him quivered.
He had no fear of Balm or of any 9TH
er man; but a vague fear of himself,
of this strange force in him made him
ponder and shake his head. 1t was as
if he had not all to say in this matter.
Their appeared to have been in him a
reluctance to let himself go, and some
voice, some spirit from a distance,
something he was not accountable for.
had compelled him. That hour of Du-
ane's life was like years of actual liv-
ing, and in it he became a thoughtful
man.
He went into the house and buck!ed
on his belt and gun. The gun was n
Colt AS. six-shot. and heavy, with an
ivory handle. He had packed it, on and
off. for five years. Before that 1T had
been used by his father. There We're a
number Of notches filed in the bulge of
the ivory handle. This gun was the
N his father had fired twice after be-
ing shot through the heart, and his
hand had stiffened so tightly upon 1t in
the death-grip that his fingers had to
be pried open. 1t had never been drawn
upon any man since it had come into
Duane's possession. But the cold,
bright polish of the weapon showed
how it had been used. Duane could
draw it with inconceivable rapidity,
n at 20 feet he could split a card
pointing edgewise toward him.
Duane wished to avoid meeting his
mother. Fortunately. as he thought,
she was away from home. He went out
and down h path toward the gate.
The air vas full of the fragrance Of
blossoms and the melody of birds. Out
side In the road a neighbor woman
stood talking to a countryman in a
wagon; they spoke to him; and he
heard. but did not reply. Then he be-
gan to stride down the road toward the
town.
Wellston was a small town, but i'm
portant in that unsettled part Of the
great state because it was the trading
center OF several hundred miles OF ter
ritory. On the main street there were
perhaps fifty buildings, some brick,
some frame, mostly adobe. and one
prosperous. We're saloons. From the
road Duane turned into this street. 1t
was. a wide thoroughfare lined by
hitching-r rails and saddled horses and
of various kinds. Duane's v
ranged down the street, taking in all
at a glance. particularly persons NOV
ing %leisurely up and down. Not a cow
boy was in sight. Duane slackened his
stride, n by the time he reached Sol
Whites place, which was the first
saloon, he was walking slowly. Several
people spoke to him and turned to look
after they had passed. He paused
at the door Of Whites saloon. took a
sharp survey of the interior, then STEP
ped inside.
The saloon was large and cool, full
OF men and noise and smoke. The
noise ceased upon his entrance, and the
ensuing presently broke to the
clink of Mexican silver dollars at a
monte table. Sol White, who was be-
hind the bar. Strengthened up when he
saw Duane; then, without speaking. he
bent over to rinse a glass. All eyes
except those of the Mexican gamblers
were turned upon Duane; and these
glances We're keen, speculative, ques-
tioning. These men knew Balm was
for trouble; they probably had
heard his boasts. But what diu Duane
intend to do? Several of the cowboys
and ranchers present exchanged glanc.
es. Duane had been weighed by uner-
ring Texas instinct. by men who all
packed guns. The boy was the son Of
his father. Whereupon they greeted him
and returned to their drinks and cards.
Sol White stood with his big red hands
upon the bar: he was a tall. raw
Texan with a long mustache
waxed to sharp points.
"Howdy. Buck" was his greeting to
Duane. He spoke ~carelessly and avert
ed his dark gaze for an instant.
"Howdy. SOL" replied Duane. slowly.
Say. Sol. l hear there's a gent in town.
looking for me bad"
Reckon there is. Buck" replied
White. HE came in heah ABBOTT an
hour ago. Shore he was som riled an
a-roarin' for gore. Told me confid-
entail a certain party had given you a
white silk scarf. an he was hell-bent
on wearin' 1t home spotted red"
anybody with him?" queried Duane.
Burt an Sam Dutcalt an a little
cowpuncher / never seen before. They
all was coaxin' him to leave town. But
he's looked on the flowin' glass. Buck.
an he's heah for keeps"
Why doesn't Sheriff Oaks lock him
up II he's that bad?"
"Oake vent away with the rangers.
ranch. The King Fisher gang. likely.
An so the towns shore wide open."
Duane stalked outdoors and faced
down the street. He walked tho whole
length OF the long block. meeting many
peopie-farmers. ranchers. clerks,
merchants. Mexicans. cowboys. and
ONE 1t was q singular fact that
when he turned to retrace his steps the
street was almost empty. He had not
returned q hundred yards on his way
when tho street was wholly deserted. A
few heads protruded from doors and
around corners. That main stroot Of
Wellston saw some such situation
every few days. If Il was an instinct
Tor Texans to fight, it was also In.
stinetive Tor them I sense with re
mAfa1Ablo Qutchneoos the oigns OF 4
cumln1 .9ln.nlaY. Rumnr o0iild NOT