Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1916-07-05
CHAPTER vu1-(cont.nued).

Violent, contact sent such
shock through him that he all but for
got the deep game he was playing. She
however, in her agitation did not notice
his shrinking. From her embrace AND
the tender, incoherent words tina flow
ed with 1t he gathered that Euchre hae
acquainted her OF his action with Black
He might have killed you'll" shs
whispered. more clearly: and If Duane
had ever heard love in a voice he heard
1t then. 1t softened him. After all, she
was a woman weak. fated through her
nature. unfortunate in her experience OF
lie. doomed to unhappineSS and trag-
10Y. He met her advance so far that he
returned the embrace and kissed her.
Emotion such as she showed would
have made any woman sweet. and she
had a certain charm. 1t was easy. even
pleasant. to kiss her; but Duane resolv-
Cd that whateved her abandonment
might become. he would go no further
than the lie she made him act.
Buck, you love me-" she whispered.
"Yes-yes.' he burst out eager to get
1s over, and even as he spoke he caught
the pale CLEAN OF Jennie's face through
the window. He felt a shame he was
glad she could not see. Did she remem-
Der that h had promised not to mis-
understand any action OF his? What
did she think of him. seeing him out
there in the dusk with this bold woman
in his arms? Somehow that dim sight
OF Jennie's pale face. the big dark eyes,
thrilled him, inspired him to his hard
task Of the present.
Listen. dear" he said to the woman.
and he meant his words for the girl.
I'm going to take you away from this
outlaw den II l have to kill Bland. ALL
oway. Rugg-anybody who stands in
my path. You were dragged here. You
are good know 1t. here's happiness
for Vnll nmoWh0ro- Name ovnnnO
good people who will care for you. Just
wait till
His voice trailed off and failed from
excess OF emotion. Kate Bland closed
her eyes and leaned her head on his
breast. Duane felt her hear beat
keen blow. II she loved him so much!
But memory and understanding OF her
character hardened him again. and he
gave her such commiseration as was
due her Sex. and no more.
boy. that's good Of YOU" she whis-
pered. but it's too late. I'm done for. I
"a leave Bland. All 1 ask Is that you
love me Q little and stop Jour gun
throwing"
The moon had risen over the eastern
bulge OF dark mountain. and now the
valley was flooded with mellow light.
and shadows Of c~ottonwoods wavered
against the silver.
AsS SIkR'StOp VI
hoofs caused Duane to rise his head and
4sten. Horses were coming down the
road from the head of the valley. The
hour was unusual for riders to come in.
Presently the narrow. moonlit lane was
crossed at its a end by black moving
objects. Two horses Duane discerned.
It's Bland!" whispered the woman,
grasping Duane with shaking hands.
"YOu must run! No, he'd see you. That
d be worse. It's Bland! l know his
horses trot."
But you said he wouldn't mind my
calling here" protested Duane.
"Euchre,s with me-. tn be all right"
Maybe so.' she replied. with visible
effort at self-control. Manifestly she
had a great fear of Bland. III I could
only Think"
Then she dragged Duane to the door,
pushed him in.
"Euchre, come out with me! Duane
you're in love with her. Jen, IL you give
us away I'll wiring your neck"
The swift action and fierce whisper
told Duane hat Mrs. Bland was her
self again. Duane stepped close to Jen-
ME. who stood ear the window. Meth
er spoke. but her hands were out
to meet his own. They were
small. trembling hands. cold as Ice. He
held them close. trying to convey what
he felt-that he would protest her. She
leaned against him, and they looked
out Of the window. Duane felt calm and
Of himself. His most pronounced
besides hat for the frightened
bland would rise to the occasion. He
saw b riders disnlount down the lane
and weartly come forward. A boy led
the horses. Euchre. the old fox,
was talking loud and with remarkable
considering what he claimed was
his natural cowardice.
that was way back in the soc
about the time OF the war;" he was
saying. "Rustlin' cattle wasn't nuthtn'
then to what 1t IL now. An times 10
rougher these days. This ~gun-throwin'
has come to be q disease. Men have an,
itch for the draw same az thsy used,
70 have Ter poker. The only real gambler
outside of greasers we ever had here
Bin. an I presume Bill u burnin'
now"
The approaching outlaws, hearing
voices. halted q rod or 80 from the
porch. Then Mrs. Bland uttered an ex-
surprise. and hurried out to meet Them.
She grected her husband warmly and
gave welcome to the other man. Duane
could not SEQ we'll enough In the shadow
20 recognize BANDS companion, but
he believed Il was Alloway.
"O0g-t1red No arc and starved" said
That's Euchre On the porch. Duane
q inside at the window with Jen.s r1-
pliod Mr.. Bland.
"Duane!" he exolaimed.s Then he
Wh1gpared low-eomethtng Duane could
why. / asksd him % cone.~ Ia
~ chisfs Wiess So spehc eS.1fy snd
naturally and ma4o ~ chaneo
r. tori. sJ6as - - alanG- ako
GotD thinner and Whleoe 0voEy ~.