Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-06-01

OIL TINS strange force IN him, made hlm
ponder and shake his head 1t was as
If he had not all to say in this matter.
There appeared to have been in him a
reluctance to let himself go, and some
voice, some spirit from a distance,
something he was not accountable for,
had compelled him. That hour of Du-
ane's life was like years of actual liv-
ing, and in it he became a thoughtful
man.
He vent .uto the house buckled
on his belt and gun. The gun was a
Colt As, j x-shot, and heavy, with an
ivory handle. He had packed it, on and
off, for five years. Before that it had
been used by his father. There were a
number of notches filed in the bulge of
the ivory handle. This u was the
one his father had fired twice after be-
ing shot through the heart, and his
hand had stiffened so tightly upon it in
the death grip that his fingers had to
be pried open. 1t nae never been drawn
upon any man since 1T had come into
Duane's possession. But the cold,
bright polish Of the weapon showed
draw it with inconceivable rapidity,
and at 20 feet he could split a card
pointing edgewise toward him.
Duane wished to avoid meeting his
mother. Fortunately, as he thought,
she was away from home. He went out
and down the path toward the gate.
The air vas full of the fragrance OF
blossoms ana the melody of birds. Out
side in the road a neighbor woman
stood talking to a countryman in a
wagon; they spoke to. him; and he
heard, but did not reply. Then he be-
gan to stride down the road toward the
town.
Wellston was a small town, but i'm
portant in that unsettled part Of the
| rrtsnn 4 TO - n ,,-~ 81 ,,v- - AL~ A-@ ill.,
center of several hundred miles of ter
ritory. On the main street there We're
perhaps fifty buildings, some brick,
some frame, mostly adobe, and one
third of the lot. and by far the most
prosperous, were saloons. From the
road Duane turned into this street. 1t
was a wide thoroughfare lined by
h~ttching-rails and saddled horses and
vehicles of various kinds. Duane's eye
ranged down the street, taking in all
at q glance, particularly persons NOV
ing %leisurely up and down. Not a cow
boy was in sight. Duane slackened his
stride. and by he time he reached Sol
Whites place, which was the first
saloon, he was walking slowly. Several
people spoke to him and turned to look
back after they had passed. He paused
at the o of Whites saloon, took a
sharp survey of the interior, then step
ped inside.
The saloon was large and cool, Full
of men and noise and smoke. The
noise ceased upon his entrance, and the
silence ensuing presently broke to the
clink of Mexican silver dollars at a
monte table. Sol White, who was be-
hind the bar, Strengthened up when he
saw Duane; then, without speaking, he
bent over to rinse a glass. All ayes
except those OF the Mexican gamblers
We're turned upon Duane: and these
1 oil u lnnC n,,a l,np,, 81 - III n,.-.
tioning. These men knew Balm was
looking for trouble; they probably had
heard his boasts. But what did Duane
intend to do? Several Of the cowboys
and ranchers present exchanged glanc-
es. Duane had been weighed by uner-
ring Texas instinct, by men who all
packed guns. The boy was the son of
his father. whereupon they greeted him
and returned to their Kinks and cards.
Sol White stood with his big red hands
out upon the bar; he was a tall, raw
bonad Texan with a long mustache
waved to sharp points.
"Howdy, Buck" was his greeting to
Duane. He spoke carelessly and avert
ed his dark gaze for an instant.
"Howdy, SOL" replied Duane, slowly.
Say, Sol, | hear there's a gent in town
looking for me bad"
Reckon there is. Buck" replied
White. He came in heah ABBOTT an
hour ago. Shore he was some riled an
a-roarin' for gore. Told me confid-
entail a certain party had given you a
white silk. scarf. an he was hell-bent
on wearin' it home spotted red"
Anybody with him?" queried Duane.
u an Sam Dutcalt an a little
c~owpuncher I never seen before. They
all was coaxin' him to leave town. But
he's looked on the flowin' glass. Buck.
an he's heah for keeps"
why doesn't Sheriff Oaks lock him
up If he's that bad?"
a went away with the rangers.
There's been another raid at Flesher's
ranch. The King Fisher gang, likely.
An so the towns shore wide open"
Duane stalked outdoors and faced
down the street. He waiKed the whole
length Of the long block, meeting many
people-farlners, ranchers, clerks,
merchants. MeXicans. cowboys, and
women 1t was Il singular fact that
when he turned to retrace his steps the
street was almos empty. He had not
returned a hundred yards on his way
When the street was wholly deserted. A
few heads protruded from doors and
around corners That main street of
Wellston saw some such situation
every few days. II 1t was an instinct
Tor Texans to fight. 1t was also in
stinctiye for them to sense with re-
markable ~quickness the signs of q
\ NO1AiiLlS Sul-play. fSuMOr could not
fly SC swiftly. In less than ten min
utes everybody who had been on the
street or in the shops knew that Buck
Duane had come forth to meet his
enemy.
Duane walked on. When he came
to within 30 PAGES Of q saloon he
swerved into the middle OF the street,
stood there for a moment, then went
ahead and back to the sidewalk. He
passed on In this way the length OF the
block. Sol White was standing In the
door OF his saloon.
Buck, I'm a-tippin' you Off" he
said. quick and low voiced. Call Bain's
over at Everalls. IL he's a-huntin' you
bad. a. he brags, he'll show here,
Duane crossed the street and started
down. Notwithstanding Whites state
meat Duane was wary and slow at ev-
cry door. Nothing happened, and he
travetsed almost the whole length 81
the block without seeing person.
EE~veralls place WAS on the corner.
Duane knew himself to be cold,
Steadys HeEwas conscious OF q strange
fury that made him want to leap ahead.
He seemedNEtO long for this encounter
more h anything he had ever want
ed Buf.@sytyid as were his sensations