Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1916-10-04

smile. 1Aers Might 6hets would be
children. And something new, strange,
~confounding with its emotion, came to
life deep in Duane's heart. There
would be children: Ray their mother!
h kind of life a lonely outcast always
yearned for and never had! He saw 1T
all. felt it all.
But beyond and above all other
claims came Captain MacNelly's. 1t
vas then there was something cold and
deathlike in Duane's soul. Fol he
knew. whatever happened, of one thing
he was sure-he would have to kin
either Longstreth or Lawson. Long
stretch might pc trapped into arrest;
but Lawson a no sense, no control,
no fear. He would snarl like a panther
and go for his gun, n he would have
to be killed. This, of all
tiOns, was the one to be calculated
upOn
Duane came out of it all bitter and
callous and ore-in the most fitting
of moods to undertake a difficult and
deadly enterprise. He had fallen upon
his old strange, futile dreams, now rem
dered poignant by reason of love. He
drove away those dreams. In their
places came the images of the olive
skinned Longstreth with his sharp
eyes, and the dark, evil faced Lawson,
and then returned tenfold more thrill
lang and sinister the old strange pas
sion to meet Poggin.
1t was about l o'clock when Duane
rode into Fairdale. The streets for the
most part We're deserted. He went di-
rectly to find Morton n thinner. He
found them at length, restless, SOM
Der. anxious, but unaware of the part
he had played at Ord. They said Long
streth was home, too. 1t was possible
ignorance.
Duane told them to be on hand in
town with their men in case he might
need them. and then with teeth locked
he set off for Longstreth's ranch.
Duane stole through the bushes and
trees, and when nearing the porch he
heard loud, angry, familiar voices.
Longstreth II lawson were quarrel
ing again. How Duane's lucky star
guided him! He had no plan of action,
but his brain was equal to 100 light
ming swift evolutions. He meant to
take any risk rather than kill Long
streth. Both of the men were out on
the edge of the %shrubbery and crouched
low to watch for his opportunity.
Longstreth looked haggard n thin.
He was in his shirt sleeves, and he had
come put with a gun in his hand. This
he laid on a table near the wall. He
Wore no belt.
Lawson was red. blpated, thick
IN sAA AAS S1lAA Wcoly kIOIII OIlllk.
though b on the moment, and he
a expression of a desperate man
in his last stand. 1t was his last stand,
though he was ignorant of that.
What's you news? You needn't be
afraid of my feelings" aid Lawson.
Ray confessed to an interest in his
ranger" replied Longstreth.
Duane thought Lawson would choke.
He vas thick necked anyway, and the
of blood made him tear at the soft
collar OF his shirt. Duane awaited his
chance. patent, cold, all his feelings
shut in a wise.
But why should your daughter meet
harshly.
She's in love with him and he's in
love with her"
Duane reveled in Lawson's condition.
The statement might have had the
force of a j%uggernaut. Was Longstreth
sincere? What was his game?
Lawson. finding his voice, cursed
Ray. cursed the ranger, then Long
streth.
You damned selfish fool!" cried
Longstreth, in deep bitter scorn. All
you think of is yourself-your loss of
the girl. Think once of me-my home
my life.!"
Then the connection subtly put out
by Longstreth apparently dawned upon
the other. Somehow through this girl
her father and ousin were to be be-
trayed. Duane got that impression,
though he could not tell how true it
was. Certainly Lawson's jealousy was
his paramount emotion.
ITO hell with you!" burst u Law
son, incoherently. He was frenzied.
III have her, or nobody else will"
You never will.' returned Long
streth. stridently. $50 help me God I'd
rather see her the rangers wife than
yours"
While Lawson absorbed that shock
Longstreth leaned toward him, all of
hate and menace in his mien.
Lawson, you made me what l am"
continued Longstreth. II backed you
shielded you. You're Cheseldine-if the
truth is told! Now it's ended. l quit
o I'm done!"
Their gray passion corded features
were still as stones.
"Gentlemen!" Duane called in far
reaching voice as he stepped out.
You're both done!"
They wheeled to confront Duane.
Don't move! Not a muscle! Not
q finger!" he warned.
Longstreth read what Lawson had
not the mind to read. His face turned
from gray to ashen.
What dys mean?" yelled Lawson,
fiercely, shrilly. It was not in him to
obey a command. to see impending
death.
All quiverins and strung, yet with
perfect control, Duane raised his left
hand to turn back a lapel of his open
vest. The silver star flashed brightly.
Lawson howled like a dog. With
~barbarous and insane fury, with sheer
impotent folly. he swept a clawing
hand for his gun. Duane's shot broke
his action.
Before Lawson even tottered, before
he loosed the gun, Longstrcth
leaped behind him, clasped him
with left arm. quick as lightning jerked
the gun from both clutching fingers and
sheath. Longstreth protected himself
with the body of the dead man. Duane