Tombstone epitaph., 1916-09-17

| I'll try, said Duane, simply. mat won't be easy, though. Are you watched kept prisonerT' "No. I could run of lots of times. | But l was afraid. I'd only have fallen into worse hands. Euchre has told
 me that. Mrs. Bland beats me, half staryes me but she has kept me from | her husband and those other dogs. | She's been as good as that. and I'm | grateful. She hasn't done it for love ! of me, though. She always hated me. 1 And lately she's growing jealous. I
 hear her fighting with Bland about me. ! Then I've heard Chess Alloway try | to persuade Bland 10 give me to him. Duane, you must be quick if you'd ! save me"
 "I realize that" replied he. thought | fully. 'I think my difficulty will he to fool Mrs. Bland. If she suspected me ! she'd have the whole gang of outlaws
 on me at once"
 "She would that. You've got to be | careful-and quick" What kind of woman is she?" | inquired Duane. "She's-she's brazen. I've heard her ! with her lovers. They get drunk sometimes when Bland's away. She's i gut terrible temper. She's vain. She likes flattery. Oh, you could fool her easy enough if you'd lower your self tO-tO-"
 ITO make love to herr" interrupted Duane.
 Jennie bravely turned shamed eyes to meet his.
 My girl. I'd do worse than that to get you away from here" he said. bluntly.
 "But-Duane," she faltered. and again she put out the appealing hand. Bland will kill you" Duane made no reply to this. He
 was trying to still rising strange tumult in his breast. The old emotion the rush of the instinct to Xiii fife turned cold all over.
 Chess Alloway will kill you if | Bland doesn't" went on Jennie, with | her tragic eyes on Duane's.
 Maybe he will" replied Duane. It was difficult for him to force a smile. ! But he achieved one. "Oh. better take me Off at once" she 1 said save me without risking so
 much-without making love to Mrs.
 Bland,"
 Surely. if I can. There, I see
 Euchre coming with a woman" That's her. Oh, she mustn't see me with you"
 "Waic- moment" whispered Duane as Jennie slipped indoors. We've settled It. Don't forget. I'll ! find some way to get word to you, per | haps through Euchre. Meanwhile keep up your courage. Remember I'll save you somehow. We'll try strategy first. Whatever you see or hear me do. | don't think less of me" Jennie checked him with a gesture and a wonderful gray flash of eyes.
 "I-u bless you with every drop of
 blood in my heart" she whispered, ] passionately.
 It was only as she turned away into the room that Duane saw she was lame and that she wore Mexican
 sandals over bare feet. He sat down upon bench on the
 porch and directed his attention to
 the approaching couple. The trees of
 the grove were thick enough for him to make reasonably sure that Mrs. ! Bland had not seen him talking to | Jennie. When the outlaws wife drew near. the situation took on a singular | zest.
 Euchre came up on the porch and | awkwardly introduced Duane to Mrs. ! Bland. She was young, probably not 1 over twenty-five, and not quite so pre- possessing at close range. Her eyes
 were large, rather prominent, and brown in color. Her mouth, too, was ! large, with the lips full, and she had l white teeth.
 Duane took her proffered hand and meet her.
 Mrs Bland appeared pleased: and
 her laugh, which followed. was loud
 and rather musical. Mfr. Duane-Buck Duane, Euchre
 said, didn't heT' she asked.
 Buckley" corrected Duane. "The nickname's not my choosing"
 "Tm certainly glad to meet you,
 Buckley Duane" she said, as she took
 the seat Duane offered her. Sorry to
 have been out. Kid Fuller's lying over
 at Deger's. You know he was shot
 last night. He's got fever to-day.
 When Blands away have to nurse all
 these shot-up boys, and 1t sure takes
 my time. Have you been waiting here
 alone? Didn't see that slattern girl
 of mineT
 She gave him a sharp glance. The
 woman had an extraordinary play of
 feature, Duane thought, and unless
 she was smiling was not pretty at all.
 I've been alone." replied Duane.
 Haven't seen anybody but a sick
 looking girl with a bucket. And she
 ran when she saw me-" | "That was Jen," said Mrs. Bland.
 "She's the kid we keep here, and she
 sure hardly pays her keep. Did Euchre | tell you about her?'
 "Now that think of 1t, he did say
 something or other."
 "What did he tell you about meT'
 bluntly asked Mrs. Bland.
 Wal, Kate" replied Euchre, speak | ing for himself, you needn't worry
 nine, for told Buck nothin' but com plimepts."