The Tomahawk., 1916-09-21
CHAPTER xlV-Continued.

CHAPTER xlV-continued.
Duane averted his face moment,
hesitated till the swelling left his
throat, and then said, cts worth what
Invent through to-day to hear that"
II can imagine how you feel about
it. When I was in the war-but let's
get down to the business Of this meet
ing"
He pulled his chair close to Duanes.
"You've had word more than once
in the last two years that wanted to
see you, why didn't you hunt me up?"
II supposed you imagined me one OF
those gun-fighters who couldn't take
dare and expected me to ride up to
your camp and be arrested"
"That was natural suppose" went
on MacNelly. "You didn't know me,
otherwise you would have come. I've
been long time getting to you. But
the nature Of my job, as far as you're
concerned, made me cautious. Duane,
you're aware Of the hard name you
bear all over the Southwest"
"Once in a while I'm Jared into
ueallzing," replied Duane.
"It's the hardest, barring Murrel
and Cheseldine, on the Texas border.
But there's this difference. Murreu
in his. day was known to deserve his
Infamous name, Cheseldine in his day
also. But I've found hundreds of men
in southwest Texas who're your
friends, who swear you never COM
anitted a crime. The farther south
get the clearer this becomes. What I
want to know is the truth. Have you
ever done anything criminal? Tell me
the truth, Duane. It won't make any
difference in my plan. And when
say crime I mean what would call
crime, or any reasonable Texan"
"That way my hands are clean," re-
oiled Duane.
"You never held up man, robbed
q store for grub, stole a horse when
you needed him bad-never anything
like that?"
"Somehow I always kept out of that,
Just when pressed the hardest"
duane, I'm glad!" MacNelly ex-
claimed, gripping Duane's hand. "Glad
for your mothers sake! Eut, all the
same, in spite Of this, you are Texas
outlaw accountable to the state.
You're perfectly aware that under e1-
listing circumstances, if you fell into
the hands of the law, you'd probably
hang ct least go to Jail for long
term
"Ihat's what kept me on the dodge
all these years." replied Duane.
"Certainly." MacNelly's eyes mar
rowed and glittered. The muscles
o}ong his brown cheeks set hard and
tense. He leaned close to Duane,
laid sinewy, pressing fingers upon
Duane's knee.
Listen to this" he whispered,
hoarsely. IF place pardon in your
handmade you free, honest citizen
once more, clear your name Of infamy,
make your mother, your sister proud
of you-will you swear yourself to
service, any service demand Of you?"
Duane sat stock still, stunned.
Slowly, more persuasively, with
show of earnest agitation, Captain
MacNelly reiterated his startling
query.
my GodI" burst from Duane.
"What's this? MacNelly, you can't be
in earnest!
"Never more so in my life. I've a
deep game. I'm playing it square.
What do you say?"
he rose to his feet. Duane, as II
impelled, rose with him. Ranger and
outlaw then locked eyes that searched
each others souls. In MacNelly's
Duane read truth, strong, fiery pur-
pose, hope, even gladness, and fugi-
tive mounting assurance Of victory.
Twice Duane endeavored to speak,
failed of all save hoarse, incoherent
sound, until, forcing back a flood OF
speech, he found a voice.
"Any service? Every service! Mac
Nelly, 1 give my word" said Duane.
A light played over MacNelly's face,
warming out all the grim darkness.
He held out his hand. Duane met 1t
with his ina clasp that men uncon-
sciously give in moments of stress.
When they unclasped and Duane
stepped back to drop into a chair
MacNclly fumbled for a cigar and,
lighting it, turned to his visitor,
now calm and cool. He had the look
of n man who had justly won some
thing at considerable cost. His next
move was to take a long leather case
from Ills pocket and extract from 1t
several folded papers.
Here's your pardon from the Cover
nor" he said, quietly. you'll see,
when you look it over, that it's condi-
tional. When you sign this paper 1
have here the condition will be met"