The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1916-10-13

laugh. circumstances made me {
| rustler. You don't know. yourself
| You're young; you've got temper
your father was one of the most
dangerous men Texas ever had. ]
don't see any other career for you.
Instead of going it alone-a lone wolf,
as the Texans say-why not make
friends with other outlaws? You'll
live longer"
Euchre squirmed In his seat.
"Boss, I've been givin' the boy eg-
zactly tibet same line of talk. An he'd
be a grand Teller fer the gang. I've
seen Wild Bill Hickok throw a gun,
an Billy the Kid, an Hardin an
Chess here-all the fastest men on the
border. An with apologies to present
company, I'm here to say Duane has
them all skinned. His draw is differ
ent. You can't see how he does it."
Euchre's admiring praise served to
create an effective little silence. Allo-
way shifted uneasily on his feet, his
spurs jangling family. and did not lift
his head. Bland seemed thoughtful.
"That's about the only qualification
/ have to make me eligible for your
band" said Duane, easily.
Its good enough" replied Bland,
shortly. xviii you consider the idea?"
'I'll think it over. Good night"
He left the group, followed by
Euchre. When they reached the end
of the lane, and before they had ex-
changed a word, Bland called Euchre
back. Duane proceeded slowly along
the moonlit road to the cabin and sat
down under the cottonwoOds to wait
for Euchre. AS he sat there with a
foreboding of more and darker work
ahead of him there was yet strange
sweetness left to him, and it lay in
thought of Jennie. The pressure of
her cold little hands fingered in his.
He did not think of her as a woman,
and he did not analyze his feelings.
He just had vague, dreamy thoughts
and imaginations that were inter- |
spersed in the constant and stern re-
volving of plans to save her.
A shuffIing step reused him. Euchre's |
dark figure came crossing the moon
light grass under the cottonwoods.
The moment the outlaw reached him
Duane saw that he was laboring under
great excitement. 1t scarcely affected
Duane. He seemed to be acquiring
patience, calmness, strength.
"Bland kept you pretty long," he
said.
"Wait till I git my breath" replied
Guc1re. He sat silent little while,
aiming himself with sombrero,
hough the night was cool, and then
le went into the cabin to return
presently with lighted pipe.
''Fine night" he said; and his tone
urther acquainted Duane with
luchre's quaint humor. 'Fine night
or love-affairs, by gum!'
'Id noticed that" rejoined Duane,
lryly.
"Buck, listen to this here yarn.
When 1 got back to the porch 1 seen
Gland. Asked me some questions right
rom the shoulder l was ready for
ueIl, all SWOTe the ulOou WdS green
heese. He was satisfied. Bland al
yays trusted me, an liked me, too, l Z
eckon. hated to lie black tibet way.
tut he's q hard man with bad inten- I
ons toward Jennie, an I'd double i
ross him any day.
''Then he went into the house. Jen- s
lie had gone to her little room, an
land called her to come out. Then, G
uck, his next move was some sur (
risin'. He deliberately throwed gun
n Kate. Yes sir, he pointed his big $
Iue Colt right at her, an he says: '
1--we a mind to blow out your II
rains ;.
$50 ahead says Kate, cool as could
?. b
You lied to me- he roars. a
skate laughed in his face. Bland Fl
ahmed the gun down an made o