The Benson signal., 1916-11-04
gh. circumstances made me a

a laugh. circumstances made me a
rustler. You don't know yourself.
You're young; you've got temper;
your father was one of the most
dangerous men Texas ever had.
don't see any other career for you.
Instead of going it alone-a lone wolf,
as the Texans say-why not make
friends with other outlaws? You'll
live longer"
Euchre squirmed in his seat.
"Boss, I've been givin' the boy eg-
zactly thet same line of talk. An he'd
be a grand feller fer the gang. I've
seen Wild Bill Hickok throw a gun,
an Billy the Kid, an Hardin an
Chess here-all the fastest men on the
border. An with apologies to present
company, I'm here to say Duane has
them all skinned. His draw is differ
ent You can't see how he does it,"
Euchre's admiring praise served to
create an effective little silence. AllO-
way shifted uneasily on his feet, his
spurs jangling family, and did not lift
his head. Bland seemed thoughtful.
"That's about the only qualification
I have to make me eligible for your
band," said Duane, easily.
"It's good enough" replied Bland,
shortly. "Will you consider the idea?"
"rll think it over. Good night"
He left the group, followed by
Euchre. When they reached the end
of the lane, and before they had ex-
changed a word, Bland called Euchre
back. Duane proceeded slowly along
the moonlit road to the cabin and sat
down under the cottonwoods to wait
for Euchre. AS he sat there with a
foreboding Of more and darker work
ahead Of him there was yet strange
sweetness left to him, and it lay in
thought of Jennie. The pressure OF
her cold little hands fingered in his.
He did not think of her as a woman,
and he did not analyze his feelings.
He just had vague, dreamy thoughts
and imaginations that were inter-
spersed in the constant and stern re-
volving of plans to save her.
A shuff1ing step reused him. Euchre's
dark figure came crossing the moon
light grass under the cottOnwoods.
The moment the outlaw reached him
Duane saw that he was laboring under
great excitement. 1t scarcely affected
Duane. He seemed to be acquiring
patience, calmness, strength.
"Bland kept you pretty long," he
said.
"Wait till I git my BREATH" replied
Euchre. He sat silent little while,
tanning himself with a sOmbrero,
though the night was cool, and then
he went. into the cabin to return
presently with lighted pipe.
'Fine night" he said; and his tone
further acquainted Duane with
Euchre's quaint humor. "Fine night
for love-affairs, by gum!'
"rd noticed that" rejoined Duane,
dryly.
"Buck, listen to this here yarn.
When I got back to the porch I seen
Bland. Asked me some questions right
from the shoulder. I was ready for
them, an swore the moon was green
cheese. He was satisfied. Bland al
ways trusted me, an liked me, too, /
reckon. I hated to lie black thet way.
But he's hard man with bad inten-
tions toward Jennie, an I'd double
cross him any day.
'"Then he went into the house. Jen-
ME had gone to her little room, an
Bland called her to come out. Then,
Buck, his next move was some sur
prism. He deliberately throwed gun
on Kate. Yes sir, he pointed his big
blue Colt right at her, an he says:
"T've mind to blow out your
brains.'
"'Go ahead says Kate, cool as could
be.
"'You lied to me- he roars.
"Kate laughed in his face. Bland
slammed the gun down an made a