The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1916-12-21

haired, frcckled Texan.
"Howdy, stranger" he called, as
Duane halted. Get down. you an
your woman. Say. now, air you sick
or shot or what7 Let me-"
Duane. reeling In his saddle, bent
searching eyes upon the rancher. lie
thought he saw good will, kindness,
honesty. He rIsked all on that one
sharp glance. Then he almost plunged
from the saddle.
The rancher caught him, helped him
TO bench.
Martha, come out here ~ he called.
'"rhis mans sick. No; he's shot, or
don't know blood stains"
Jennie had slipped of her horse and
TO Duane's side. Duane appeared
about TO faint.
"Air you his wifeg" asked the
| rancher.
"No. I'm only n girl he saved from
outlaws. oh, he's 80 palel Duane,
Duanew
"Buck Duane !" exclaimed the ranch
er, cxcitedly. "The man who killed
Bland an Alloway2 Say. owe him
n good turn, an I'll pay 1t, young
woman"
The rancher's wife came out. and
| with n manner Mt once kind and prac-
teal essayed TO make Duane drink
from flask. He was not so far gone
that he could not recognize its con-
tents, which he refused. and weakly
/ asked for water. When that was given
him he found his voice.
"Yes, I'm Duane. I've only over
done myself-just all In. The wounds
got at BANDS are healing VIII you
take this girl in-hide her awhile till
the excitement's over among the out
laws?"
81 shore WILL" replied the Texan.
"Young man you amt In any shape
TO travel. I'll take you in along with
the girl, an hide both of you till you
get WELL
that hard day were the strange feel
Of n bed, relief at the removal of his
heavy boots, and OF Jennie's soft, cool
hands on his hot face.
|
He lay M for three weeks before he
began to mend, and 1t was another
week then before he could walk out
little In the dusk of the evenings.
After that his strength returned rapid
ly. And II was only at the end of this
long siege that he recovered his spirits
During most Of his Illness he had been
silent, moody.
"Jennie, I'll he riding of soon" he
said, one evening. II can't impose on
this good man Andrews much longer.
I'll never forget his kindness. His
wife, too-she's been so good TO us.
Yes, Jennie, you and I win have to
say good-by very soon."
"Don't hurry away" she replied.
Lately Jennie had appeared strange
to him. She had changed from the
girl he used TO see ut Mrs. BANDS
house. lie took her reluctance 10 say
good-by as another indication OF her
regret that he must go back TO the
brakes. Yet somehow II made him
observe her more closely.
"Its likely that we won't see each
other again." he said. "That's strange
to think OF. We've been through some
hard days, and seem to have known
you n long time"
Jennie appeared shy, almost sad, so
Duane change the subject to some
thing less personal.
|
Andrews returned one evening from
a several days trip to Huntsville.
"Duane, everybody's talkin' about
how you cleaned up the Bland outfit"
he said, important and all full of news.
'It's some exaggerated, accordin' 10
what you told me; but you've shore
made friends on this side of the
Nueces. reckon there amt town
where you wouldn't find people to
welcome you"
ibid you hear Of any outlaws hunt
ing me?" asked Duane.
"Nobody from BANDS outfit Is hunt.
In you. thet's shore" replied Andrews
''Fisher said there never was a hoss
straddled to go on your trail. Nobody
! had any use for Bland. Anyhow. his
men woulc be afrniS TO trail you. An
, YOU could go right In TO Huntsville
! where you'd be some popular. Reckon
you'd be safe, too, except where some
} of them fool saloon loafers or bad
; cOwpunchers would try 10 shoot you
, for the glory in It. Them kind OF men
will bob up everywhere you go
: Duane"
, an be able TO ride and take care oi
J myself In day or two" went or
Duane, "Then I'll go--rd like to tall
. to you about Jennie"
, "She's welcome TO a home here with
, u.s."
"Thank you, Andrews. You're O
kind man. But / want Jennie 10 gel
] farther away from the Rio Grande
. She'd never be safe here"
"All right, Duane. Whatever yor
3 think best. reckon now you'd better
] go north an strike for Shelbyville