The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-07-06

his mouth shut.
"Ho. no. hol" rolled out BANDS
laugh.
Then he led the way to the porch, his
spurs clinking, the weapons he was
carrying rafting, and he Topped down
on a bench.
How are you, boss ?" asked Euchre.
Hello, old man. I'm well, but all in"
Alloway slowly walked on to the
porch and leaned against the rail. He
answered Euchrs's greeting with a nod.
Mrs. BANDS full voice in eager ques-
situation. Bland replied briefly to her.
reporting remarkably successful trip.
Duane thought 1t time to show him
self. He had feeling that Bland and
Alloway would let him go for the mo-
ment: They were plainly nonplussed,
and Alloway seemed sullen, brooding.
Jennie" whispered Duane, that was
clever Of Mrs. Bland. We'll keep up
the deception. Any day now be ready"
She pressed close to him, and a bare
~ audible Hurry" came breathing
into his ear.
Good night, Jennie" he said aloud.
Hope you feel better tomorrow"
:, Then he stepped out into the moon
light and spoke. Bland returned the
greeting, and, though he was not ami
able. he did not show resentment.
Met Jasper as I rode In" said Bland,
presently. He told me you made Bill
Black mad, and there's liable to be a
night. What did you go off the handle
Duane explined the incident. I'm
sorry I happened to be there" he went
on. IT wasn't my business"
"Scurvy trick that'd been,- muttered
Bland. You did right. All the same,
Duane. 1 want you to stop quarreling
with my men. II you were one Of us
thatd be different. I can't keep my
men from fighting. But I'm not called
on to let an outsider hang around my
camp and plug my rustlers."
II guess I'll have to be hitting the
trail for somewhere" said Duane.
why not join my band7 You've got
a. Dad start, already, Duane, and II I
know this border you'il never be a re-
spectacle citizen again. You're a born
killer: / know every bad man on this
frontier. More than one Of them have
told me that something exploded in
their brain, and when sense came back
there lay another dead man. It's not
so with me. I've done q little shooting.
too, but never wanted TO kin another
man just to rid myself Of the last one.
MY dead men don't sit on my chest at
night. That's the gun fighters trouble.
aes crazy. He has to Kill a new man
one" -0S
But I'm no gun fighter" protested
Duane. circumstances made me"
mo doubt" interrupted Bland, with
laugh. circumstances made me a
rustler. You don't know yourself.
you're young; you've got temper;
your rather was one Of the most dan
gerous men Texas ever had. / don't
see any other career for you. Instead
OF going IL alone-a lone wolf. as the
Texans say-why not make friends
with other outlaws7 You'll live longer"
Euchre squirmed in his seat.
Boss. I've been givin' the boy eg-
zactly tibet same line Of talk. Thet's
why took him in to bunk with me.
IL ne makes pards among us there
won't be any more trouble. An he'd
De a grand Teller fer the gang. I've
seen Wild Bill Hickok throw a gun, an
Billy the Kid, an Hardin, an Chess
here-all the fastest men on the bor-
der. An with apologies to present
company, I'm here to say Duane has
them all skinned. His draw is differ
ent. You can't see how he does It,"
Euchre's admiring praise served TO
create an effective little silence. AL
loway shifted uneasily on his feet. his
spurs Jansling family, and did not lift
his head. Bland seemed thoughtful.
That's about the only qualification
l have to make me eligible for your
".
TITS good enough" replied Bland.
shortly. will you consider the idea?'
I'll think 1t over. Good night"
He left the group, followed by Eu-
chre When they reached the end OF
the lane, and before they had ex-
changed word, Bland called Euchre
back. Duane proceeded slowly along
the moonlit road to the cabin and sat
down under the cottonwoods to wait
for Euchre. The night was intense and
quiet, low hum Of insects giving the
effect Of a congestion of life. The
beauty OF the soaring moon, the ebony
canons OF shadow under the mountain.
the melancholy serenity Of the perfect
night, made Duane shudder in the re-
alization Of how far aloof he now was
from enjoyment Of these things. Never
again 80 long as he lived could he be
natural. His mind was clouded. His
eye and ear henceforth must register
Impressions OF nature, but the 10y Of
them had fled. -.
Still. as he sat there with a forehod-
ing OF more and darker work ahead Of
him, there was yet strange sweet
ness left to him. and It lay in thought
Of Jennie. The pressure Of her cold
little hands fingered in his. He did
not think Of her as a woman, and he
did not analyze his feelings. He Just
had vague dreamy thoughts and i'm
dBhAobiOhlo llhL were lnI6TSpeTBeQ In
the constant and stern revolving Of
plans to save her.
A suffling step reused him. Euchre's
dark figure came crossing the moonlit
grass under the cottonwoods. The
moment the outlaw reached him
Duane saw that he was laboring under
great excitement. It scarcely affected
Duane. He seemed to be acquiring
patience, calmness, strength.
bland kept you pretty long" ne said.
What till I git my breath" replied
Euchre. he sat silent a little while,
tanning b'nself with sombrero, though
the night was cool and then he went
into the cabin to return presently with
q lighted pipe.
Zine night" he said; and his tone
further acquainted Duane with Euchre's
quaint humor. Time night for love af-
fairs, by gumi-
sTd noticed that" rejoined Duane.
wal, I'm o son Of gun IL didn't
stand an watch Bland choke his wife
till her tongue stuck out an she got
black In the face" ~
MOI" calculated Duane. ...
Hope 10 die II didn't. Buck, listen