Tombstone epitaph., 1916-09-10

loosed behind him. And in short time he reached and rode down the green retreat, wondering what would be his reception.
 The valley was much larger than if had appeared from the high elevation. Well watered, green with grass and tree, and farmed evidently by good hands, 1t gave Duane considerable surprise. Horses and cattle were ev- erywhere. Every clump of cotton woods surrounded a small adobe house. Duane saw McXicans working in the fields and horScMen going to and fro. Presently he passed house bigger than the others, with ps-ch attached. A woman. young and pretty. he thought, watched him from door. No one else appeared to notice mm.
 Presently the trail widened ltO a road, and that into n kind uf SqIar" lined by n number of adobe and leg buildings of rudeSt structure. Within sight were horses. dogs. n couple of steers, Mexican women with children, and white men, all of whom appeared to be doing nothing. His advent ere ated no interest until he rode up tO the white men, who were lolling in the shade of a house. This place evi- dently was store and saloon, and from the inside came a lazy hum of voices
 As Duane refined to halt one of the loungers in the shade rose with a loud exclamation:
 "Bust me if thet ain't Luke's hoss .'
 The others accorded their interest. if not assent, by rising to advance toward Duane.
 How about it. Euchre? Ain't thet Luke's bay:" queried the first man.
 Plain as your nose" replied the fel- low called Euchre.
 There ain't no doubt about thet, then" laughed another, "fer Bosomer's nose is shore plain on the landscape"
 These men lined up before Duane, and as he coolly regarded them he thought they could have been recOg- nized anywhere as desperadOes. The man called Bosomer. who had stepped forward, had a forbidding face, which showed yellow eyes. an enormous nose, and skin the color of dust, with a thatch of sandy hair.
 Stranger. who are you an where in the h-l did you git thet bay hoss?" he demanded. His yellow eyes took Tn Stevens horse, then the weapons hung on the saddle, and finally turned their glinting. hard light upward to Duane.
 Duane did not like the tone in which he had been addressed and he re mained silent. Something leapcd in side of him and made his breast feel tight. He recognized 1t as that strange emotion which had shot through him oftea of late, and which had decided him to go out to the meeting with Bain. Only now 1t was different, and more powerful.
 Stranger, who are yOu?" asked an other man. somewhat more civilly.
 My name's Duane" replied Duane. curtly.
 An how'd you come by the hOSS:"
 Duane answered briefly, and his words were followed by short silence, during which the men looked at him. Bosomer began to twist the ends of his beard.
 Reckon he's dead, all right. or no- body'd hey his hoss an guns" pres ently said Euchre.
 Mister Duane" began BosOmer. in low. stinGing tones, .1 happen to be Luke Stevens side pardner."
 Duane looked him over. from dusty. worn-out boots to his slOuchy som brero. That look seemed 10 inflame BOsOmer.
 An want the hoss an them guns" he shouted.
 You or anybody else can have them, for all I care. I just fetched them in. But the pack is mine." replied Duane. And. say. I befriended your pard. If you can't use civil tongue you'd better cinch it."
 Civil? flaw, haw." rejoined the outlaw. ''I ain't takin' your word Savvy thet? An was Luke's pard!"
 With that BOsOmer wheeled. and, pushing his companions aside. he stamped into the saloon, where his voice broke out in roar. Duane dismounted and threw his bridle.
 Stranger, Bosomer Is shore hot headed" said the man Euchre. He did not appear unfriendly, nor were the others hostile
 At this juncture several more out laws crowded out of the door. and the one in the lead was a tall man of stalwart physique. His manner pro claimed him leader. He had a long face, a flaming red beard, and clear, cold blue eyes that fixed in close scru- tiny upon Duane. He was not Tex an; in truth, Duane, did not recognize one of these outlaws as native to his state.
 I'm Bland" said the tall man, au- thoritativeIy. Whore you. and what're you doing here?'
 Duane looked at Bland as he had at the others. This outlaw chief ap- peared to be reasonable, if he was not courteous. Duane told his story again, this time little more in detail.
 q believe you" replied Bland at once. Think I know when fellow is lying"
 'I reckon you're on the right trail" put in Euchre. "Thet about Luke