The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-09-14

Il must be true to my duty" he said
hoarsely.
III you knew me you'd know I could
never ask you to be false to It." u
well, then-In do anything for
you" ,
"Oh, thank you! I'm ashamed that
I believed my cousin Floyd! He lied
he lied. I'm all in the dark, strange
ly distressed. My father wants me to
go back home. Floyd is trying to keep
me here. They've quarreled. Oh, l
know something dreadful will happen.
I know I'll need you if-if-Wiil you
help me%"
yes" replied Duane. and his look
brought the blood to her face.
CHAPTER XIX.
After supper Duane stole out for his
usual evenings spying. The night was
was dark, without starlight, and a
stiff wind rustled the leaves. Duane
bent his steps toward Longstreth's
ranch house. He had So much to think
about that he never Krvw where me
time went. This night when he
reached the edge of the shrubbery he
heard Lawson's we'll known footsteps
and saw Longstreth's o open, flash
ing a broad bar Of light in the dark
ness. Lawson crossed the threshold.
the door closed, and all was dark again
outside. Not q ray of light escaped
from the window.
Little doubt there was that his talk
with Longstreth would be interesting
to Duane. He tiptoed to the door and
listened. but could hear only a murmur
Of voices. Besides, hat position was
too risky. He went round the corner
of the house.
This side OF the big adobe house was
of much older construction than the
| W nE nn1 larger mart d. Thprn was a
narrow passage between the houses,
leading from the outside through to
the patio.
This passage now afforded Duane an
opportunity, and he decided to avail
himself of t in spite Of the very great
danger. Crawling or very Stealthily,
he got under the ~shrubbery to the en-
trance of the passage In the black
ness a faint streak of light showed the
location Of a crack in h wall. He
had to sin in sidewise. It was a tight
squeeze. but he entered without the
slightest noise. AS he progressed the
passage grew a very little wider in
to the thought that in caSe Of d neces-
sary and hurried exit he would do best
by working toward the patio. II seemed
a good deal of time was consumed in
reaching n vantage point. When he
did get there the crack he had marked
! WAS II lou over MS IlbIu. L mere WdS
nothing to do but find toe holes in the
crumbling walls. and by bracing knees
on one side, back against the other,
hold himself up. Once with his eye
there he did not care what risk ne ran.
Longstreth appeared disturbed; he sat
Stroking his mustache: his brow was
clouded. Lawson's face seemed darker,
more Sullen, yet lighted by some in
dOmitable resolve
We'll settle both deals tonight -
Lawson was saying. That's what l
came for"
"But suppose I don't choose to talk
here" protested Longstreth, inn
patiently. Il never before made my
house a place to"
"We've waited long enough. This
place s as good as any. You've lost
your nerve since that ranger hit the
town. First now, will o give Ray
to me-"
"Floyd. you talk like a spoiled boy,
Give Ray to YOU. Why, she's a won
an. and I'm finding out that she's got
a mind Of her own. | told you ] was
willing for her to marry you. ! tried
to persuade her. But Ray hasn't any
use for you now. She liked you at
first. But now she doesn't. So what
can I do".
You can make her marry me-" re-
piled Lawson.
NAtlIN lAA"N u NV " hiaAA oil' VIVID I
want to? 1t couldn't be done even if
I tried. And I don't believe I'll try. ]
haven't the highest opinion Of you as
a prospective soninlaw, Floyd. But If
Ray loved o 1 would consent. We'd
all go away together before this
damned miserable business is out.
Then she'd never know. And maybe
you. might be more like you used to
be fore the west ruined you. But as
matters stand. you fight YOUR own
game with her. And I'll tell O now
you'll lose"
What d you var to let her come
out here for?" demanded Lawson,
holly. 1T was a dead mistake. I've
lost my head over her. I'll have her
or die. DON'T think If she vas my
wife I'd soon pull myself together?
Since she came we've none of us been
right. And the gang has put up a hol-
Ter. No, Longstreth, we've got to set
tie thing tonight"
We'll, we can settle what Rays con
cerned in, right now" replied Long
streth, rising. Come on; we'll ask
her. See where you stand"
They went out, leaving the door open,
Duane dropped down to rest himself
and to wait. He would ave liked to
hear Miss Longstreth'S answer. But
he could guess what it would be. Law
son appeared TO be all Duane had
thought him, and he bel we'd he was
going to fird out presently that he
was worse.
The men seemed to be absent n good
while. though that feeling might have
been occasioned by Duane's thrilling
interest and anxiety. Finally he heard
heavy steps. Lawson came in alone.
He was leaden faced, Inundated. Then
something abject in him gave place to
rage. He strobe the room; he
cursed. Then Longstreth returned, nov
appreciably calmer. Duane could not
hut decide that he felt relief at tho evil
dent rejection of Lawson's proposal.
Don't fuss about it, Floyd" he said
"You see 1 can't help 1t. We're pretty
wild out here, but / can't rope my
daughter and give her to you as ]
would an unruly steer" ..-
"Longstreth, l can make her marry
| ~, Al VI daalaraA r auonn thicElv .