Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1916-06-21

give me. I believe| know you're
good. 1t was only live so much in
fear-Tm half crazy-Ive almost for
gotten what good men are like. Mister
Duane. you'll help me?"
Yes. Jennie, 1 will. Tell me how.
What must 1 do? Have you any plan?'
"Oh 40. But take me away"
I'll try" said Duane simply. THAT
won't be easy, though. must have
There are many things to consider.
Horses, food, trails, and hen the best
time to make the attempt. Are you
watched-kept prisoner"
No. l could have run off lots of
times. But I was afraid. I'd only
has told me that. Mrs Bland beats
me, half starves me, but she mas kept
me from her husband n these 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. And lately she's growing jealous.
There was a man came here by the
name of Spence-so he called himself.
He tried to be kind to me. But she
wouldn't let him. sShe was in love
with him. She's a bad woman. Bland
finally shot Spence, and that ended
] that. She's been jealous ever since. 1
hear her lighting with Bland about me.
She swears she'll kill me before he gets
me. n Bland laughs in her face.
Then V heard Chess Alloway try to
persuade Bland to give me to him. But
Bland doesn't laugh then. just lately
before Bland went away things came
to a head. l couldn't sleep. L wished
Mrs. Bland would kill me. I'll certain-
ly kill myself If they ruin me. Duane,
you must be quick if you'd save me-"
II realize that" replied he, thought
fully. II think my difficulty will be
to fool Mrs. Bland. If she suspected
me she'd have the whole gang of OUT
laws on me at once"
She would that. You've got to be
careful-and quick"
What kind of woman is she?" in
quired Duane.
"~She's-she's brazen. I've heard her
with her lovers. They get drunk some
times when Bland's away. She's got
a terrible temper. She's vain. She
likes flattery. Oh, you could fool her
easy enough if you'd lower yourself
ITO make love to herr" interrupted
Duane.
Jennie bravely turned shamed eyes
to meet his.
My girl, I'd do worse than that 10
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 a rising strange tu-
multi in his breast. The old emotion
the rush of an instinct to kill! He
turned cold all over.
Chess Alloway will kill you if Bland
DOESN'T" went OF Jennie, with her
tragic eyes on Duane's.
Maybe he will" replied Duane. 1t
rr,o~ 1iPEo,,1 Gov I;-o - H--~- -.-31.
But he achieved one.
oh. better take me off at once" she
said. Save me without risking so
much-without making love to Mrs.
Bland!"
surely, if I cam. There! I see Eu-
chre coming with a woman"
That's her. Oh, she mustn't see me
with YOU"
"Wait-a moment" whispered Du-
n as Jennie slipped indoors. We've
settled it. Don't forget. I'll find some
way to get word to you, perhaps
your courage. Remember I'll save you
somehow. Well 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'LL bless o with every drop Of
blood in my heart" she whispered pas
S%fonately.
1t was only as she turned away into
the room that Duane saw h "a
lame n that h wore Mexican SAN
dals over bare feet.
He sat down upon a 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
Duane saw that she was a tall, strong,
full bodied woman, rather good looking
with a full blown, bold attractiveness.
Duane was more concerned with her
expression than with her good looks;
and as h appeared unsuspicious he
felt relieved. The situation then took
on a singular zest.
Euchre came up on the porch AMI
aWkwardly introduced Duane to Mrs.
Bland. She was young, probably not
over 20, and not quite so prepossessing
rather prominent, and brown in color.
Her mouth, too. was large, with the
lips full. n she had white teeth.
Duane o her proffered hand and
remarked frankly that he was glad to
meet her.
Mrs. Bland appeared pleased; and
her laugh, which followed. was loud
and rather musical.
MIR. Duane-Buck Duane, Euchre
said, didn't he?" she asked.
Buckley" corrected Duane. 1.-The
nickname's not Of my choosing"
I'm 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 today. When
BANDS away I have to nurse all these
shot up boys, and it sure takes my
time. Have you been waiting here
alone? Didn't see that slattern girl
Of mine?"