The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1916-12-14

!. "He might have killed your she
whispered, more clearly; and IL Duane
had ever heard love In n voice he
heard Il then II softened him. IL
was easy, even pleasant, TO kiss her;
but Duane resolved that, whatever her
abandonment might become. he would
not go further than the lie she made
him act.
"Buck. you love me?" she whispered.
"Yes-yes," he burst out, eager to
get II over, and even as he spoke he
caught the pale CLEAN OF Jenne's face
through the window. He felt II shame
he was glad she could not see.
The moon had risen over the eastern
bulge of dark mountain, and now the
valley was flooded with mellow light,
and shadows Of cottonwoods wavered
against the silver.
Suddenly the cllp-clop. cllp-clop of
hoofs caused Duane TO raise his head
and listen. Horses were coming down
the road from the head of the valley.
The hour was unusual for riders to
come In. Presently the narrow, moon
lit lane was crossed at its far end by
black moving objects. Two horses
Duane discerned.
"It's Bland !" whispered the woman,
graspIng Duane with shaking hands.
"You must runl No, he'd see you.
That d be worse. It's Bland know
his horses trot."
Then she dragged Duane to the door.
pushed him in.
"Euchre, come out with mel Duane,
you stay with the girl I'll tell Bland
you're in love with her. Jen, II you
give us away I'll wiring your neck"
The swift action and fierce whisper
told Duane that Mrs. Bland was her
self again. Duane stepped close to
Jennie, who stood near the window.
Neither spoke, but her hands were
outstretched TO meet his own. They
were small, trembling hands, cold as
Ice. He held them close, trying to
convey what he felt-that he would
protect her. She leaned against him,
and they looked out of the window.
Duane saw the riders dismount down
the lane and wearily come forward. A
boy led away the horses. Euchre, the
old fox, was talking loud and with
remarkable ease, considering what he
claimed his natural cowardlce.
The approaching outlaws, hearing
voices, halted a rod or so from the
porch. Then Mrs. Bland uttered an
exclamation, Ostensibly meant to ex-
press surprise, and hurried out TO meet
them. She greeted her husband warm
ly and gave welcome TO the other man.
Duane could not see well enough In
the shadow to recognize BANDS com.
panion, but he believed 1t was Allo-
way.
"Dog-tired we are and starved" said
Bland, heavily. "Who's here with
your
is inside ut the window with Jen,'
replied Mrs. Bland.
"Duanel" he exclaimed. Then III
whispered low-something Duan,
could not catch.
"Why, l asked him to come" sale
the chiefs wife. She spoke easily ant
naturally and made 10 change in tone
"Jen has been ailing. She gets thin
, ner and whittier every day. Duan,
came here one day with Euchre, saw
Jen, and went looney over her prett!
face, same as all you men. So 1 lie
him come"
Bland cursed low and deep under hi
/ breath. The older man made violen
/ action of some kind and apparentl.
; was quieted by restraining hand.
Then he led the way to the porch
, his spurs clinking, the weapons he wa
t carrying rattllng, and he Topped dow
t on bench.
( "How are you, boss?" asked Euchr6
= "Hello, old man. I'm well, but al
, in"
1 Alloway slowly walked on to tn
5 porch and leaned against the rail. III
answered Euchre's greeting with
: nod. Then he stood there darl
a silent figure.
4 Mrs. Bland's full voice in cage
c questioning had tendency TO ease tn
: situation. Bland replied briefly to he
reporting n remarkably successful tril
Duane thought 1t was time to sho
himself He had feeling that Blan
and Alloway would let him go for tn
e moment. They were plainly moi
o plused. and Alloway seemed sullel
: brooding.
n Jennie" whispered Duane, "thi
n was clever of Mrs. Bland. Wen kee
/. up the deception. Any day now
s readyr
n She pressed close to him, and
barely audible Hurry" came breatl
= ing into his ear.
e Good night, Jennie" he said, alou
It "Hope you feel better tomorrow"
It Then he stepped out into the moo
e light and spoke. Bland returned Il
Is greeting, and, though he was N
a amlable, he did not show resentme1
% MET Jasper as l rode in," sa
r. Bland. presently. "EIe told me yC
Ie made Bill Black mad, and there's llab
d TO be a fight. What did you go off Il
It handle about?"
,e Duane explained the incident. ~
10 sorry I honnpnpd m bp there ~ he we