The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1916-08-24

, stepped back out of sight.
1t flashed over Duane that the stran-
gers acted suspiciously. In Texas in
the '70s it was always bad policy to
let strangers go UNDECIDED. Duane pom
, dered a moment. Then he went out to
look over these two men. The doorway
opened into a patio, and across that
was a little dingy dim lighted bar
room. Here Duane found the innkeep-
er dispensing drinks to the two stran-
gers. They glanced up when he en-
tered and one of them whispered. He
imagined he had seen one Of them be-
fore In Texas, Where outdoor men
Were so rough. bronzed, bold and
sometimes grim of aspect, it was no
easy task to pick out the crooked ones.
But Duanes years on the border had
augmented a natural instinct or gift to
read character, or at least to sense the
evil in men; and he knew at once that
| these strangers Were dishonest.
"I1ev sometime" one OF them asked,
leering. Both looked Duane up and
! down.
NO, thanks; 1 don't drink" Duane
replied, and returned their scrutiny
with interest "How's tricks in the Big
| Bend?"
Both men stared. 1t had taken only
close glance for Duane to recognize
a type OF ruffian most frequently met
along the river. These strangers had
! that stamp, and their surprise proved
| liz was iiSill mere lIG lillkSeper
showed signs of uneasiness and second
ed the surprise of his customers. No
more was said at the instant and the
two rather hurriedly went out.
say, boss, do you know those fell
lows" q Duane asked the innkeeper.
Nope"
Which way did they Gomez"
Now l think Of it, them fellers rid
In from both corners today" he re-
piled, and he put both hands on the
bar and looked at Duane. They nooned
t.eah, comm from Bradford, they said,
an trailed in after the stage"
When Duane returned to the sitting
room, Colonel LpaGstreth was absent,
also several OF the other PASSENGERS
Miss Ruth sat in the chair he had va
Gated, and across the table from her
sat Miss Longstreth. Duane went di-
rectly to them.
Excuse me-" said Duane, addressing
them. Il want to tell you there are a
couple OF rough looking men here I've
Just seen them. They mean evil. Tell
your father to be careful. Lock your
doors-bar your windows tonight"
"oh!' cried Ruth, very low Ray,
do YOU hear?"
Thank you; We'll be careful" said
Miss Longstreth, gracefully. The rich
color had faded in her cheek. II saw
those men watching you from that door.
They had such bright black eyes. Is
there really danger--here?"
i think So was Duane's reply.
Sort, swift steps behind him preced-
ed harsh voice: Hands up!"
No man quicker than Duane to rec
ognlze the intent in those words His
hands shot up. Miss Ruth uttered a
little frightened cry and sank into her
chair Miss Longstreth turned white,
her eyes dilated. Both girls were star
ing at some one behind Duane
Turn around" ordered the harsh
voice.
The big, dark stranger, the bearded
one who had whispered to his com
rade IN the bar room and asked Duane
to drink, had him covered with a
cooked gun. He strobe forward, his
eyes cleaning, pressed the gun against
him, and with his other hand dove into
his inside coat pocket and tore out
his role Of bills. Then he reached lew
ct Duane's hip, felt his gun and took
1t. Then he slapped the other hip. evil
Gently In search of another weapon.
That done, he backed away wearing
that made Duane think he was only
common thief a novice at this kind Of
game.
His comrade stood in the door with
a gun leveled at two other men, who
stood there frightened, speechless.
Git a move on Bill" called this
fellow; and he took hasty glance
backward A stamp Of hoofs came
from outside. OF course the robbers
had horses waiting. The one called
Bill strobe across the room, and
with brutal, careless haste began to
prod the two men with his weapon and
to search them. The robber in the
doorway called "Rustle!" and disap-
peared.
Duane wondered where the innkeeper
was, and Colonel Longstreth and the
other two passengers. The bearded rob-
Der quickly got through with his
searching and from his growls Duane
gathered he had not been well renlu-
nerated. Then he wheeled once more.
Duane had not moved a 1niscIe, stand
The robber strobe back with his blood
shot eyes fastened upon the girls Miss
Iongstreth never flinched but the little
girl appeared about to faint.
Don't zap, there!" he said, low and
haro He Thrust the gun close to Ruth.
Ihen Duane knew for sure that he was
no knight OF the road, but plain cut
throat robber. Danger always made
Duane eXult in a kind of cold glow. But
now something hot worked within him
He had little gun in his pocked. The
| robber had missed it. And he began to
calculate chances.
Any money, jeWelry, diamonds" or
dered the ruffian, fiercely.
Miss Ruth collapsed. Then he made
at Miss Longstreth. She stood with her
iieLAA1's So 'iSI VI east 1.EJuSHlly inc roo
Der took this position to mean that she
lad valuables concealed there. But Du-
ane fancied she had instlnctively
pressed her hands against a throbbing
| heart.
Come out with it," he said harshly,
reaching for her.
| Don't dare touch mel" she cried, her
eyes ablaze. She did not move; she had
| nerve.
| 1t made Duane thrill. He saw he was
going to get chance. Waiting had
been a science with him. But here it
was hard. Miss Ruth had tainted, ana
that was we'll. Miss Longstreth had
fight in her, which fact helped Duane,
yet made injury possible to her She
eluded two lunges the man made at
I her. Then his rough hand caught her
| waist and with one pull ripped it asun-
der, exposing her beautiful shoulder,
white as snow.
She cried out. The prospect Of being
robbed or even killed had not shaken
! Miss Lonsstreth's nerve as had this
brutal tearing off OF half her waist.
hoy finr,