The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1916-06-01

ponder and shake his head. 1t was a.
II he had not all to say in this matter
There appeared to have been in him
reluctance to let himself go, and som
voice, some spirit from "a distance
something he was not accountable for
had compelled him. That hour of Du.
ane's life was like years of actual Iiv.
ing, and in it he became a thoughtful
man.
He went into the house and bucklet
on his belt and gun. The gun was q
Colt .45, s~ix-shot, and heavy. with ar
ivory handle. He had packed it, on and
off, for five years. Before that it had
been used by his father. There We're a
number of notches filed in the bulge OF
the ivory handle. This gun was the
one his father had fired twice after be-
ing shot through the heart, and his
hand had stiffened SO tightly upon it in
the death-grip that his fingers had to
be pried open. 1t had never been drawn
upon any mar since it had come into
Duane possession. But the cold,
bright polish of the weapon showed
how 1t a been used. Duane could
draw it with inconceivable rapidity,
and at 20 feet he could split a card
pointing edgewise toward him.
Duane wished to avoid meeting his
mother. Fortunately, as he thought,
she was away from home. He went out
and down the path toward the gate.
The air was full of the fragrance of
blossoms and the melody of birds, Out
side in the road a neighbor woman
stood talking to a countryman in a
wagon; they spoke to him; and he
heard, but did not reply. Their he be-
gan to stride down the road toward the
town.
Wellston was a small town, but i'm
portant in that unsettled part of the
great state because it was the trading
center of several hundred miles of ter
ritory. On the main street there were
perhaps fifty buildings, some brick,
some frame, mostly adobe, and one
third of the lot, and by far the most
prosperous, were saloons. From the
road Duane turned into this street. 1t
was a wide thoroughfare lined by
htch1ng-rails and saddled horses and
vehicles Of various kinds. Duane's eye
ranged down the street, taking in all
at a glance, particularly persons NOV
ing leisurely up and down. Not a cow
boy was in sight. Duane slackened his
stride. and by the time he cached Sol
Whites place, which was the first
saloon. he was walking slowly. Several
people spoke to him and turned to look
after they had passed. He paused
at the door of Whites saloon, took a
urvey of the interior, then step
ped inside.
The saloon was large and cool full
of men and noise and smoke. The
noise ceased pom his tranc and tho
silence ensuing presently broke TO the
OF Mexican silver dollars at a
table. Sol White, who was be-
/ the bar, Strengthened up when he
saw Duane; then, without speaking. he
pent over to rinse a glass. All ewes
except those of the Mexican gamblers
were turned upon Duane: and these
glances We're keen, speculative, cues
tloning. These men knew Balm was
looking for trouble; they probably had
heard his boasts. But what diu Duane
intend to do? Several of the cowboys
ana ranchers present exchanged glanc-
es. Duane had been weighed by uner-
ring Texas instinct. by men who all
packed guns. The boy was the son OF
his father. W~hereupon they greeted him
and returned to their drinks and cards.
White stood with his big red hands
put upon the bar; he was a tall. raw
boned Texan with a long mustache
to sharp points.
"Howdy, Buck" was his greeting to
Duane. He spoke carelessly and avert
his dark gaze for an instant.
"ioWdy, SOL" replied Duane. SLOWLY
say, Sol. hear there's a gent in town
looking for me bad"
eek the is. Buck" replied
Wnlte. He came in heah ahoot an
- oSO. ohtoAS lS WAS some r1IGd AMI
roar for gore Told me confid-
sntial a certain party had given you a
White SILK scarf. an he was nell bent
IN Wearin' it home spotted red"
ANYBODY with him? 2" queried Duane.
burt an am Dutcalt an a little
,oWpuncher ] never seen before. They
VI was coaxin him to leave town. But
IN he's heah for keeps"
Why doesn't Sheriff Oaks lock him
Up if he's that bad?"
HOake went away with the rangers.
Inere'S been another raid at Flesher,s !
,anch. The King Fisher gang, likely.
so the towns shore wide OPEN
Duane stalked outdoors and faced
inc street, He walked the whole
engtn OF the long block, meeting many
oeopie-farmers. r%anchers, clerks,
merchants, Mexicans, COWBOYS. and
1t was a singular fact that
he turned to retrace his steps the
'treet was almost empty. He had not
a hundred yards on his way
the street was wholly deserted. A
round corners. That main street Of
saw some such situation |
very few days. If it was an Instinct
IeSans to fight. 1t was also in
for them to sense with re-
quickness the signs Of a
sominS gun-play. Rumor could not
SO swiftly. In less than ten min
i.es everybody who had been on the
,lreet or in the shops knew that Buck
yuane had come forth % meet his
.nemy. VIC
Duane walked on. When he came
g within 30 PAGES of a saloon he
WerFea into h middle OF the street.
s.ood there for a moment. then went
q back to the sidewalk. He
, ,asssd On IN THIS way the length of the
,lock- Sol White was standing in the
ioor of his saloon.
Bnck. I'm a-tippin' you off. he
'aids Quick andslow voiced. Call Bain,s
yer Ct Everalrs. If he's a-huntins YOU
'aa. az he brags. he'll show there"
duane crossed the street and started
a. Notwithstanding whites sfafe-
nent,puane was wary and slow at I
rsva aeor; Nothing Happened and he
sne niock without seeing q person.
1s n I place was on the
Dnane knew himself to be cold,
'teady. He was conscious Of q strange
ilIS lnat made him want to lean head.
= "a - ~ -N ELHkE 49,