The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1916-09-22

stealing was repuSnant TO MIN. Inf
future seemed gray and sombel
enough. And he was twenty-three
years old.
But what was the matter with the
light of his campfire? 1t had taken OF
strange green luster and seemed to
be waving off into the outer shadows
Duane heard no step, saw no move
ment; nevertheless, there was another
present at that campfire vigil. Duane
saw him. He lay there in the middle
of the green brightness, PROSTATE, mo-
tionless, dying. Cal Balm!
That haunting visitation left Duane
sitting there in cold sweat, a remorse
gnawing at his vitals, realizing the
curse that was on him. He OWNED
that never would he be able to keep off
that phantom. He remembered how
his father had been eternally pursued
by furies of accusing guilt, how he had
never been able to forget in work or
in sleep those men he had killed.
The hour was late when Duane's
mind let him sleep, and then dreams
troubled him. In the morning he be-
stirred himself so early that in the
gray gloom he had difficulty in finding
his horse. Day had just broken when
he struck the old trail again.
He rode hard all morning and halted
in a shady spot to rest and Craze his
horse. In the afternoon he took to the
trail at an easy trOt. The country
grew wilder. Bald, rugged mountains
broke the level of the monotonous ho-
rizon. About three in the afternoon he
came to q little river which marked
the boundary line of his hunting terri
tory and followed it upstream.
In this kind of travel and camping
he spent three more days, during which
he crossed a number of trails, and one
where cattle-stolen cattle, probably
mad recently passed. He followed the
road until late hour, when, striking
he willow brakes again and hence the
his horse and lay down to rest. But
lie did not sleep. His mind bitterly re-
7olved the fate that had come upon
him. He made efforts to think of other
Kings, but in vain. Every moment he
the chill, the sense of loneli-
ness that yet was ominous Of strange
visitation, the peculiarly imagined
lights and shades of the night-these
Kings that presaged the coming of Cal |
Balm. Doggedly Duane fought against |
he insidious phantom. He kept tell
ng himself that it was just imagina-
ion, that it would wear off in time. |
still in his heart he did not believe |
What he hoped. But he would not give |
Ip; he would not accept the ghost of
lis victim as a reality.
Gray dawn found him in the saddle
gain, headed for the river. Half an
our of riding brought him to the
ense chaparral and willow thickets.
'hese he threaded to come at length
D the ford. Once upon the opposite
hore, he refined in his horse and
)oked darkly back. This action
larked his acknowledgment of his sit
alton: he had voluntarily sought the
efuge of the outlaws; he was beyond
he pale.
The trail led into a road which was
ard packed and smooth from the
'acks of cattle. He doubted not that
e had come across one of the roads
sed by border raiders. He headed
ito it, and had scarcely Travelled a
lie when, turning a curve, he came
upon a single horseman
ding toward him. Both riders wheeled
leir mounts sharply and were ready
run and shoot back. Not more than
hundred PAGES separated them. They
God then for a moment watching
Lch other.
"Mawnin', stranger" called the man,
coping his gun to his hip.
"Howdy," replied Duane shortly.
They rode toward each other, clos
g half the gap, then they halted
ain.
Il seen you amt no ranger" called
e rider, "an' shore I amt none"
He laughed loudly, as if he had /
ide a joke. i
How'd you know I wasn't
nger?" asked Duane curiously. Some
W he had instantly OWNED that this l
rseman was no officer, or even a 2
1cher trailing stolen stock.
WAL" said the fellow, starting his
rse forward at walk, "a ranger'd n
yer git ready to run the other way h
m one man." CT
lie laughed again. He was small H
l wiry, slouchy of attire, and armed al
the teeth, and he bestrode a fine hi
Z horse. He had quick, dancing sc
wn eyes, at once frank and bold, of
coarse, bronzed face. Evidently OF
was good-natured ruffian.
)uane acknowledged the truth of
assertion, and turned over in his
i'd how shrewdly the fellow had
ssed him to be hunted man. TO
My names Luke Stevens, an I hail in
n the river. Who're you?" said so
stranger. &c
uane was silent.
| reckon you're Buck Duane" went
Stevens. II heerd you was bad
/ with gun"
his time Duane laughed, not at the
btful compliment, but at the idea
. the first outlaw he met should
W him. Here was proof of how
'tly facts about gun-play Travelled
he Texas border.