Tombstone epitaph., 1916-09-17
CHAPT ER VI.

Next morning Duane 1ound that a moody and Respondent spell had fas- tened on him. Wishing to he alone, he went out and walked a trail leading round the river blufT. He thought and thought. After while he made out that the trouble with him probably was ;sa; ae could EO; resign himself to his fate. He cared vastly more, he discovered. for what he considered honor and integrity than he did for life. He saw that It was bad for him to be alone. But, IL appeared, lonely months and perhaps years inevitably must be his.
 Another thing puzzled him. In the bright light of day he could not recall the state of mind that was his at twilight or dusk or in the dark night. By day these yisitatiOnS became to him what they really were-phantoms of his conscience. He could dismiss the thought of them then. He could scarcely remember or believe that this strange feat of fancy oT imagination had troubled him. made him sleeplesS and sick.
 At length he determined to create interest in all that he came across and so forget himself as much as pos sible. He had an opportunity now ts see just what the outlaws life really was. He meant to force himself to be curious. sympathetic. clear-sighted. And he would stay there in the valley until its possibilities had been eN- hausted or until circumstances sent him out upon his uncertain way.
 When he returned to the shack Euchre was cooking dinner.
 Say, Buck. I've news for you" he said: and his tone conveyed either pride in his possession of such news or pride in Duane. Teller named Bradley rode in this mOrnin'. Hes heard some about you. Told about the ace of spades they put over the bullet-holes in thet cowpuncher Bain you plugged. Then there was a ranch er shot at water-hole twenty miles south of WellstOn. Reckon you didn't do it?''
 "No. certainly did not" replied Duane.
 "Wal, you get the blame. IL aint nothing for a feller to be saddled with gun-plays he never made. An. Buck, if you ever get famous. as seems ike ". you'il be blamed for many T crime. The border Il make an outlaw an murderer out of you. Wal, thets enough of thet I've more news. You're gOin' to be popular"
 Popular: What do you mean?' 'I met Bland's wife this mOrnin'. She seen you the other day when you rode in. She shore wants to meet you, an so do some of the other women in camp. They always want to meet the new feIlers who've just come in. It's lonesome for women here, an they like to hear news from the towns" Well. Euchre, I don't want to be irhpOlite. but I'd rather not meet any women" rejoined Duane.
 Il was afraid you wouldn't. Don't blame you much. Women are hell. l was hopin'. though. you might talk a little to thet poor lonesome kid"
 What kid?" inquired Duane, in sur prise.
 Didn't I tell you about Jennie-the girl Bland's hoIdin' here:"
 "No. Tell me now" replied Duane. abruptly.
 "wal, got 1t this way. Mebbe it's straight, an mebbe it ain't. Some years ago Benson made a trip over the river to buy mescal an other drinks. An he run across a gang of greasers with some gringo prisoners. I don't l know, but I reckon there was some barterin', perhaps murderin'. Any ! way, Benson fetched the girl back. l She was starved an scared half to death. She hadn't been harmed. | reckon she was then about fourteen years old. Bland seen the kid right of and took her-bought her from Benson. You can gamble Bland didn't Kate Bland's been hard on Jennie. but she's kept Bland an the other men | from treating the kid shameful Late Jennie has grown into an alfred pretty girl, an Kate Is powerful jeal- | ous of her. can see hell brewin' over there in Bland's cabin. Thet's why I wish you'd come over with me. You'd get to see Jennie. an mebbe you could help her. I bad baby girl once, an if shed lived she'd be as big as Jennie now. an wouldn't want her here in Bland's camp"
 'I'll go. Euchre. Take me over.- re- piled Duane. He felt Euchre's eyes upon him. The old outlaw. however, had no more to say.
 In the afternoon Euchre set of with Duane, and soon they reached Bland's cabin. Duane remembered it as the one where he had seen the pretty wO- man watching him ride by. Through tie open door Duane caught a glimpse of bright Mexican blankets and ruga