The Benson signal., 1916-11-04
CHAPTER VII.

That night Duane was not troubled
by ghosts haunting his walking and
sleeping hours. He awOke feeling
bright and eager, and grateful to
Euchre for having put something
worth while into his mind. During
breakfast, however, he was unusually
thoughtful, working over the idea of
how much or how little he could con-
fide in the outlaw. He was aware Of
Euchre's scrutiny.
"Wal," began the old man, at last,
"how'd you make out with Jennie
What ID you an she talk about?"
"We had a little chat. You know
you wanted me to cheer her up
Euchre sat with coffee-cup poised
and narrow eyes studying Duane.
"Buck, I've seen some outlaws
whose word was good. Mine is. You
you over there an putin you wise to
my tryin' to help thet poor kid"
Thus enjoined by Euchre, Duane be-
gan to tell the conversations with Jen-
ME and Mrs. Bland word for word.
Long before he had reached an end
Euchre set down the coffee-cup and
began to stare, and at the conclusion
of the story his face lost some of it's
red color and beads of sweat stood
out thickly on his brow.
"Wal, if thet doesn't floor me-" he
calculated, blinking at Duane. young
man, figgered you was some swift,
an sure to make your mark on this
river; but I reckon missed your real
caliber. Do you know what it III take
to do all you promised Jen?"
81 haven't any idea," replied Duane,
gravely.
you'll have to pull the wool over
Kate BANDS eyes, an even If she falls
In love with you, which s shore likely,
thet won't be easy. An she'd kill you
In a minnit, Buck, If she ever got
wise. You amt mistaken her none,
are your
'Not me, Euchre. She's woman.
I'd fear her more than any man."
"Wal, you'll have to kill Bland an
Chess Alloway an Rugg, an mebbe
some others, before you can ride OF
into the hills with thet girl"
Gall right. I'll meet what comes"
said Duane. quietly. "The great point
is to have horses ready and pick the
right moment, then rush the trick
through"
"Thets the only chance fer success.
An you can't do it alone"
"Ill have to. wouldn't ask you to
help me-"
@Wal, I'll take my chances" replied
Euchre, gruffly. 'Tm going to help
Jennie, you can gamble your last peso
on thet."
They talked and planned, though in
truth it was Euchre who planned,
Duane who listened and agreed. While
awaiting the return of Bland and his
Neutenants it would be well for Duane
to grow friendly with the other out
laws, to sit in few games of monte,
or show a willingness to spend little
money. The two schemers were to
call upon Mrs. Bland every day
Euchre to carry messages of cheer and
warning to Jennie, Duane to blind the
elder woman at any cost. These pre-
liminaries decided upon, they proceed
ed to put them into action.
No hard task was 1t to win the friend
ship Of the most Of those good-natured
outlaws. There were men among
them, however, that made Duane feel
that terrible inexplicable wrath rise
in his breast. He could not bear to be
near them. Jackrabbit Benson was
one of these men. Because of him and
other outlaws Of his ilk Duane could
scarcely ever forget the reality of
things. This was hidden valley, a
robbers den, a rendezvous for muir
derers, a wild place stained red by
deeds of wild men. And because of
that there was always changed at
moSphere. The merriest, idlest, most
careless moment might in the flash Of
an eye end in ruthless and tragic ac-
tion. Duane felt rather than saw a
dark, brooding shadow over the valley.
Then, without any solicitation or en-
cOuragement from Duane, the Bland
woman fell passionately in love with
him. She launched herself. And the
thing which evidently held her in check
Was the newness, the strangeness, and
for the moment the all-satisfying fact
Of his respect for her. Duane exerted
himself to please, to amuse, to inter
sat. to 8aseinate her. and always with