The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1916-09-14

We'll then-rll do anything for
you.
"oh. thank you I'm ashamed that
l 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 quarrele1. oh, l
know something dreadful will happen.
[ know I'll need you if-if-Will YOU
help me-"
YES" replied Duane, and his look
brought the blood to her face.
CHAPTER Mn
After supper Duane stole out for his
usual evenings spying. The night was
was dark, without starlight, and Il
stiff wind rustled the leaves. Duane
bent his steps toward Longstreth's
ranch house. He had so much to think
about that he never knew where the
time went. This night when he
reached the edge of the shrubbery he
heard Lawsons We'll known footsteps
and saw Longstreth' door open, flash
ing broad bar of light in the dark
ness. Lawson crossed the threshold,
the door closed, and all was dark again
outside Not a ray Of light escaped
from the window.
Little doubt there was that his talk
with Longstreth would be interesting
listened. but could hear only murmur
of voices. Besides. that 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
back and larger part. There 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 It in spite Of the very great
danger. Crawling on 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 q crack in the wall He
had to s''n in sidewise. 1t was tight
squeeze. but he entered without the
sfghtest noise. AS he progressed the
passage grew a very little wider in
that direction. and that fact gave rise
to the thought that in case OF a neces-
sary and hurried exit he would do best
by working toward the patio. 1t seemed
a good deal OF time was consumed in
reaching vantage point. When he
did get there the crack he had marked
was foot over his head. There was
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 he ran.
Longstreth appeared disturbed; he sat
stroking his mustache: his brow was
clouded. Lawsons face seemed darker.
more sullen, yet lighted by some in
domitable resolve.
We'll settle both deals tonight"
Lawson was saying. That's what I
came for
But suppose I don't choose to talk
here?" protested Lonestreth, i'm
no W.
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 you give Ray
to me?"
Floyd, you talk like spoiled boy.
Give Ray to YOU. Why, she's a wom-
an, and I'm finding out that she's got
mini Of her own. ! told you l was
willing for her to marry you. I 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
| You can make her marry me-" re-
piled awson.
make that girl do what she doesn't
want to- 1t couldn't be done even if
tried. And don't believe I'll try. /
haven't the highest opinion of you as
a prospective soninlaw. Floyd. But if
iitaS ioSGus yOd Noulu CpHSonI. w e u
| 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 you now
| youll lose"
| What d you want to let her come
out here for?" demanded Lawson
/ holly 1T was dead mistake. I've
| lost my head over her. I'll have her
or die. Don't you think If she was 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, Iongstreth, We've got to set
/ tie thing tonight"
Well, 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 have liked to
hear Miss Longstreth's answer Bu,
he could guess what it would be. Law
son appeared to be all Duane had
| thought him, and he believed he was
| going to find out presently that he
4 was worse.
The men seemed to be absent good
while. though that feeling might bose
been occasioned by Duane's thrilline
interest and anxiety. Finally he hear,
4 heavy steps. Lawson came in alone
IIe was lsaden- faced. Inundated TheI
/ something abject in him gave place {,
| rage 81 He STROBE the room; he
cursed. Then Longstreth returned, now
i appreciably calmer. Duane could no.
4 but decide that he felt relief at the evil
! dent rejection OF Isawson's proposal.
"pcn't fuss about it, Floyd he said
4 you see can't hep 1t. We're prett,
wild out here. but can't rope m.
daughter and give her to you as
would an unruly steer.
Longstrctli. can make her MARI,
me-. declared Lawson, thickly,