The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1916-10-06

inquired duane.
"She's-she's brazen. I've heard he
with her lovers. They get drunl
sometimes when BANDS away. She'
got a terrible temper. She's vain
She likes fiattery. Oh, you could foo
her easy enough If you'd lower your
self Toto"
ITO make love to herr" interrupted
| Duane.
Jennie bravely turned shamed eye.
to meet his.
"My girl, I'd do worse than that tt
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
tumult in his breast. The old emotion
the rush of the instinct to KILL He
turned cold all over.
"Chess Alloway will kill you If
Bland doesn't" went on Jennie, with
her tragic eyes on Duane's.
MAYBE he WILL replied Duane. 1t
was difficult for him to force a smile.
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 can. Therel / see
Euchre coming with a woman"
"That's her. Oh, she mustn't see
me with you"
"Wait "a moment" whispered
Duane, as Jennie slipped indoors.
"We've settled it. Don't forget. I'll
find some way to get word to you, per-
haps through Euchre. Meanwhile keep
up 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 wonderful gray flash of eyes.
"I'll bless you with every drop of
blood in my heart" she whispered,
passionately.
1t was only as she turned away into
the room that Duane saw she was
lame and that she wore Mexican
sandals 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, the situation took on q singular
zest.
Euchre came up on the porch and |
introduced Duane to Mrs. |
Bland. She was young, probably not |
over twenty-five, and not quite so pre-
possessing at close range. Her eyes /
we're large, rather prominent, and
brown in color. Her mouth, too, was
arge, with the lips full, and she had
White teeth.
Duane took her proffered hand and
frankly that he was glad to
meet her.
Mrs. Bland appeared pleased; and
Ter laugh, which followed, was loud
nd rather musical.
Mr.. Duane-Buck Duane, Euchre
aid, didn't hep" she asked.
Buckley" corrected Duane. "The
ickname's not my choosing"
I'm certainly glad to meet you,
'uckley Duane" she said, as she took
ne seat Duane offered her. Sorry to
ave been out. Kid Fuller's lying over
t Degers. You know he was shot
st night. He's got fever to-day.
hen BANDS away I have to nurse all
lese shot-up boys, and it sure takes
v time. Have you been waiting here 4
one? Didn't see that slattern girl q
mine?" d
She gave him sharp glance. The
oman had an extraordinary play of
allure, Duane thought, and unless "
e was smiling was not pretty at all. "
1--WE been alone" replied Duane. IL
haven't seen anybody but a sick g
,king girl with bucket And she n
n when she saw me-" a.
''That was Jen," said Mrs. Bland. :
he's the kid we keep here, and she II
re hardly pays her keep. Did Euchre II
| you about her?" II
Now that | think of it, he did say H
netting or other" H
What did he tell you about me?" H
Intly asked Mrs. Bland. H
Wal, Kate" replied Euchre, speak 7
for himself, you needn't worry
e, for I told Buck nothin' but COM
ments."
Evidently the outlaws wife liked
chre,. for her keen glance rested mi
h amusement upon him. ~
As for Jen, I'll tell you her story mt
le day." went on the woman. TITS Sc,
common enough story along this ma
er. Euchre here is tender-hearted PEI
fool, and Jen has taken him in 10.
Val. seem n you've got me fig it's