Tombstone epitaph., 1916-11-12
butt himself with all his gang right

IT LdNspu tite indtl yOu luinA uc is he'll begin thet secret underground business. Why, Lawson won't sleep of nights now. He an Lonsstreth have always been after me"
 Laramie. what are your eyes for?" demanded Duane. Watch out. And now here. See your friend Morton. Tell him this game grows hot. To- gether you approach four or five men you know well and can absolutely trust. 1 may need your help.
 Then Duane went from place to place, corner to corner, bar to bar, watching, listening. recording. The excitement had preceded him. and speculation was rife. He thought best to keep out of it. After dark he stole up to LOngstreth's ranch. The evening was warm; the doors were open; and in the twilight the only lamps that had been lit were in Longstreth's big sitting-room, at the far end of the house. When a buck board drove up and Longstreth and Lawson alighted, Duane was well hidden in the bushes, so well screened that he could get but fieeting glimpse of LOngstreth as he went in. For all Duane could see, he appeared to be calm and quiet man, intense beneath the surface, with an air of dignity under insult. Duane's chance to observe Lawson was lost. They went into the house without speaking and closed the door.
 At the other end of the porch, ciose under a window, was an offset be- tween step and wall, and there in the shadow aDuane hid. So Duane waited there in the darkness with patience born of many hours of hid ing.
 Presently a lamp was lit: and Duane heard the swish of skirts. Something's happened surely, Ruth he heard Miss Longstreth say, anXiously. Papa just met me in the hall and didn't speak. He seemed pale, worried
 Cousin Floyd looked like a thunder-cloud," said Ruth. For once he didn't try to kiss me. Something's happened"
 "Oh, dear. Ruth. what can we do? These are wild men. Floyd makes life miserable for me. And he leases you unmer-"
 q don't call it teasing. Floyd wants to spoon" declared Ruth, emphati- cally. He'd run after any woman"
 "A fine compliment for me, Cousin Ruth" laughed Ray.
 q don't care.' replied Ruth, stub bornly. Its so. Hes mushy. And when he's been drinking and tries to kiss mel hate him."
 There were steps on the hall floUr
 Hello, girls," sounded out Law sons voice, minus its usual gayety.
 Floyd. what's the matter?" asked Ray, presently. q never saw papa as he is tonight, nor you so--so worried. Tell me, what has happened?"
 We had to submit to a damnable outrage replied Lawson, passionate ly, as if the sound of his voice aug mented his feeling. Listen, girls: I'll tell you about it." He cOughed, clear ed his throat in a way that betrayed he had been drinking.
 Duane sank deeper into the shadow of his covert. and, stiffeninE h's muscles for n protracted spell af rigidity, prepared to listen with all acuteness and intensity. Just one word from this Lawson, inadvertently uttered in q moment of passion. might be the word Duane needed for his clue.
 Tt happened at the town hail." be- gan Lawson, rapidly. Your father and Judge owens and were there in consultation with three ranchers from out of town. Then that damned ranger stalked in dragging Sneaker, the fellow who hid here in the house. He had arrested Sneaker for alleged assault on a restaurant-keeper named Laramie. Sneaker being obviously in- nocent, he was discharged. Then this ranger began shouting insults. Law was a farce in Fairdale The court was farce. There was no law. Your father was afraid of the rustlers, highwaymen, murderers. He was afraid or-he just let them alone. He used his office to cheat ranchers and cattlemen in lawsuits. An this the ranger yelled for everyone to hear. A damnable outrage. Your father, Ray, insulted in his own court by rowdy rangerI''
 "Oh"" cried Ray LorgGtreth, in mingled distress and anger.
 "The ranger service wants to ruia western Texas" went on Lawson These rangers are all low set This is one of the worst of the lot He's to be feared. He would kill. If your father had made the least move he would have shot him. He's a cold -neTved deyil-the born gunman. My God, any instant I expected to see your father fall dead at my feet '"
 "Oh, Floyd, The unspeakable ruffian v cried Ray Longstreth, pas sionately.
 What do you care for the insinua- tions of such a man?" said Ray Long, streth, her voice now deep and rich with feeling. After a moments thought no one will be influenced by them. Do not worry, Floyd. Tell papa not to worry. Surely after all theSa yaarS ha can't no iniuraa In