The Huttig news., 1916-09-23

scarcely remember or believe that this strange feat of fancy or imagination had troubled him, made him sleepless and sick.
 At length he determined to create interest in all that he came across and so forget himself as much as pos sible. He had an opportunity now to see just what the outlaws life really was. He meant to force himself to be curious, sympathetic, clear-sighted. And he would stay there in the valley until its possibilities had been eX- hausted or until circumstances sent him out upon his uncertain way.
 When he returned to the shack Euchre was cooking dinner.
 Say, Buck, I've news for you" he said; and his tone conveyed either pride in his possession of such news or pride in Duane. "Feller named Bradley rode in this mornin'. He's heard some about you. Told about the ace of spades they put over the bullet-holes iE thct cowpuncher Bain you plugged. Then there was a ranch CT shot at water-hole twenty miles south of Nellston. Reckon you didn't do itf''
 .No, I certainly did not" replied Duane
 Wal, you get the blame. It ain't nothing for a feller to be saddled with gun-plays he never made. An, Buck, if you ever get famous, as seems like ly, you'll be blamed for many a crime. The border Il make an outlaw an murderer out of you. Wal, thet's enough of thet. I've more news. You're goin' to be popular
 Popular? What do you meanY
 "I met Bland's wife this mornin' She seen you the other day when you rode in. She shore wants to meet you. an so do some of the other women in camp. q, They always want to meet the new fellers who've just come in. It's lonesome for women here an they like to hear news from the towns"
 Well. Enchre, I don't want to be impolite, but I'd rather not meet any women" rejoined Duane.
 q was afraid you wouldn't. Don't blame you much. Women are hell. was hopin'. though, you might talk a little to thet poor lonesome kid"
 What kid?" inquired Duane, in sur prise.
 Didn't I tell you about Jennie-the girl Bland's holdin' here?"
 "No Tell me now" replied Duane, abruptly.
 Wal. I got it this way. Mebbe it's straight, an mebbe it ain't. Some years ago Benson made a trip over the river to buy mescal an other drinks. An he run across a gang of greasers with some gringo prisoners. l don't know, but 1 reckon there was some barterin', perhaps murderin'. Any way, Benson fetched the girl back. She was starved an scared half to death. She hadn't been harmed. l reckon she was then about fourteen years old. Bland seen the kid right off and took her-bought her from Benson. You can gamble Bland didn't do thet from notions of chivalry. Kate Bland's been hard on Jennie, but she's kept Bland an the other men from treating the kid shameful. Late Jennie has grown into an alfred pretty girl. an Kate is powerful jeal- ous of her. I can see hell brewin' over there in Bland's cabin. Thet's why l wish you'd come over with me. You'd get to see Jennie, an mebbe you could help her. 1 had baby girl once, an if she'd lived she'd be as big as Jennie now, an wouldn't want her here in Bland's camp"
 ''Ill go, Euchre Take me over," re- piled Duane. He felt Euchre'S eyes upon him. The old outlaw, however, had no more to say.
 In the afternoon Euchre set off with Duane, and soon they reached Bland's cabin. Duane remembered it as the one where he had seen the pretty wo- man watching him ride by. Through the open door Duane caught a glimpse of bright Mexican blankets and rugs.
 Euchre knocked upon the side of the door.
 'Is that you, Euchre?" asked girls voice low hesitatingly. The tone of it, rather deep and with hote of fear, struck Duane.
 "YeS it's me, Jennie. Where's Mrs. Bland?" answered Euchre.
 "She- went over to Deger's. There's somebody sick" replied the girl.
 Euchre turned and whispered some thing about Mcb The snap of the outlaws eyes was added significance to Duane.
 Jennie, come out or let us come in. Here's the young man was tellin' you about" Euehre said. Come out, Jennie, an mebbe he'll"
 Euchre did not complete his sen tence. But what he said was sufficient to bring the girl quickly. She ap- peared in the doorway with downcast eyes and stain of red in her white check She had a pretty, sad face and bright hair.
 Don't be bashful, Jennie" said Euchre You an Duane have chance to talk little. Now I'll go