Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1916-12-27

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held 1t. A few more steps showed a
dark figure blocking the trail. Here
Duane halted.
"Here, ranger, understand this. My
visit Is peaceful If you'll let
1t be. Mind, I was asked to come
here after dark"
Duane's clear, penetrating voice
carried far. The listening rangers at
the, campfire heard what he said.
''Ho, Pickens! Tell that fellow to
wait" replied an authoritative voice
Then slim figure detached itself
from the dark. moving group at the
campfire and hurried out.
Better be foxy, Cap" shouted q
ranger, in warning.
"Shut up-all of you," was tho re-
ply.
This officer, obviously Captain Mac
Nelly, soon Joined the two rangers
who We're confronting Duane. He had
no fear. He strobe straight up to
Duane.
"I'm MacNelly,"" he said. If you're
my man, don't mention your name
yet" =
All this seemed strange to Duane, in
keeping with much that had happened
lately.
II met Jeff Aiken to-day" said
Duane. "He sent me-"
"You've met Aiken!" exclaimed
MacNelly, sharp, eager low. "By all
that's bully!" Then he appeared to
catch himself, to grow restrained.
"Men, fall back, leave us alone .
moment"
The rangers slowly withdrew.
"Buck Duane! It's you?' he
whispered, eagerly.
Eyes"
IF I give you my word you'll not
be arrested--you'll be treated fairly
will you come into camp and consult
with me?"
Certainly"
Duane, I'm sure glad to meet you, .
went on MacNelly; and he extended
his hand.
Amazed and touched. scarcely realiz.
ing this actuality, Duane gave his hand
and felt an unmistakable grip Of
warmth.
ut doesn't seem natural, Captain
MacNel1y, but believe Tn glad to
meet YOU" said Duane, soberly.
You will be. Now we'll go back to
camp. Keep your identity mum for the
present"
He led Duane in the direction of the
campfire.
"Pickens, go back on duty" he
ordered, "and. Beeson. you look after
this horse"
When Duane got beyond the line
of mesquite. which had hid good
view Of the camp site, he saw a group
Of perhaps fifteen rangers sitting
around the fires, near long. low shed
where horses were feeding, and a
small adobe house at one side.
'We've just had grub, but I'll see you
get some. Then we'll talk" said
MacNelly. 'Tve taken up temporary
quarters here. Have a rustler job on
hand. Now. when you've eaten, come
right into the house."
Duane was hungry, but he hurried
through the ample supper that was
set before him, urged ON by curiosity
and establishment. While eating he
had bent keen eyes around him. After
a first quiet scrutiny the rangers APP
parently paid no more attention to
him. They were all veterans in serv-
ice-Duane saw that--and rugged.
powerful men Of iron constitution.
Despite a general conversation Of
campfire nature, Duane was not de-
ceived about the fact that his advent
had been an unusual and striking one
which had caused an undercurrent of
conjecture and even CONSERVATION
among them. These rangers were too
well trained to appear openly curious
about their captains guest. Al Il
was, Duane felt a suspense that must
have been due to a hint Of biz
identity. ia SEA ~
He was not long IN presenting htms
self at the door of the house.
Come in and have chair" said
MacNelly. motioning for the one other
occupant Of the room to rise. "Leave
us. Russell. and close the door. I'll
be through these reports right off,"
MacNelly sat at table upon which
was a lamp and various papers. Seen
in the light he was fine-looking,
soldterly man of about forty years,
dark-haired apd dark-eyed, with 9
bronzed face, shrewd, stern, strong, yet
not wanting in kindness. He scanned
hastily over some papers, fused with
them, and finally put them in enve-
lopes. Settling back in his chair. he
faced Duane, making vain attempt
to hide what must have been the full
filment of long-nourished curiosity.
Duane, I've been hoping for this
for two years" he began.
Duane smiled a little--a smile that
felt strange on his face He had never
been much of talker. And speech
here seemed more than ordinarily diff
cult.
MacNelly must have felt that.
He looked long and earnestly at
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