The Ozark spectator., 1916-11-22

rejoined Longstreth, emphatically. II imagined that once, not long ago. was bull-headed. Who would ever connect Granger Longstreth with rustler gang? I've changed my mind- Eve begun to think. I've reasoned out things. We're crooked, and we can't last. It's the nature of life, even here, for conditions to grow better. The wise deal for us would be to divide equally and leave the country. all of us."
 "But you and I have all the stock all the gain," protested Lawson.
 "I'll split mine."
 q won't-that settles that" added Lawson, instantly.
 Longstreth spread wide his hands as if it was useless to try to convince this man. Talk had not increased his calmness, and he now showed more than impatience. A dull glint gleamed deep in his eyes.
 "Your stock and property will last a long time-do lots of good when this ranger"
 "Bah!' hoarsely crooked Lawson. The rangers name was match ap- piled to powder Haven't I told you he'd be dead soon-any time-same as Laramie is?'
 "Yes, you mentioned the-the SUD- position,' replied Longstreth, sarcasti- cally. T inquired, too, just how that very desired event was to be brought about"
 "The gang will lay him out"
 Bah" retorted Longstreth, in turn. He laughed contemptuously.
 'Floyd, don't be a fool. You've been on the border for ten years but you never in all that time saw a man like this ranger. The only way to get rid of him is for the gang to draw on him, all at once. Then he's going to drop some of them. To tell you the truth, l wouldn't care much. I'm pretty sick of this mess."
 Lawson cursed in amazement. His emotions were all out of proportion to his intelligence. He was not at all quick-witted. Duane had never seen a vainer or more arrogant man.
 "Longstrcth, I don't like your talk,'e he said.
 If you don't like the way talk you know what you can do," replied Long Streth, quickly. He stood up then. cool and quiet with flash of eyes and set of lips that told Duane he was dangerous.
 "Well, after all, that's neither here nor there," went on Lawson, uncon- sciouSly cowed by the other. ''The thing is, do I get the girl?"
 Not by any means except her con sent' You'll make her marry mel"
 "No. No' replied Longstreth, his voice still cold, low-pitched.
 All right. Then I'll make her." . Evidently Longstreth understood the man before him so we'll that he k wasted no more words. Duane knew what Lawson never dreamed of, and that was that Longstreth had gun somewhere within reach and meant to use it. Then heavy footsteps sounded outside tramping upon the porch. Duane believed those foot steps saved Lawson's life.
 'There they are," said Lawson, and he opened the door. Five masked men entered. They all wore coats hiding any weapons A big man with burly shoulder shook hands with Longstreth, and thu others stood back.
 The atmosphere of the room hao changed. Lawson might have been nonentity for all he counted LC streth was another mana stran, to Duane. If he had entertained hope of freeing himself from tn band, of getting away to a. saf country, he abandoned it at treW sight of these men. There was power here, and he was bound.
 The big man spoke in low, hoars6 whispers, and at this all the others gathered around him close to the table. There were evidently some signs of membership not plain to Duane. Then all the heads were bent over the table. Low voices spoke, queried, answered, argued. By straining his ears Duane caught a word here and there. They were planning, and they were brief. Duane gathered they were to have q rendez- yous at or near Ord.
 Then the big man, who evidently was the leader of the present con vention, got up to depart. He went as swiftly as he had come, and was followed by his comrades. Longstreth prepared for n quiet smoke. LawS1n seemed uncommunicative and unk sociable. He smoked fiercely and drank continually. All at once strengthened up as if listening.
 'Whats thatw he called sudden
 Duane's strained ears were pefv ed by slight rustling sound.
 'Must be rat" replied Long
 The rustic became rattle