The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1916-12-28


other, hold himself up once wr-
his eye there he did not care ga1
risk the ran. Longstrefh appeares s
'urbed he sat stroking hts muStatae
his brow WIS clOuded. LaWsOn's Hr,e
seemed darker. more sullen. ser e,e
ed hy some indomltable resolve
Wen settle both deals to-a eas
Lawson was saying. That's uhas
came for"
But suppose ! don't choose 10 "a 3
hereT protested Longstreth, izns.r,
tienfly.
You've LOST your nerve since fnal
Ringer hit the town. First now. v5G
you give Ray 10 me?"
Floyd, you talk Ike spoiled boz.
tried 10 persuade her But Ray
hasn't any use for you now. So what
can doT'
You can make her marry me" re.
piled Lawson.
Make that girl do what she doesn't
want to- II couldn't be done. But If
Ray loved you | would consent. Wed
all go away together before this mis-
cradle business Is out. Then she'd
never know. And maybe you might
be more Ike you used TO be before
the West ruined you"
what d you want to let her come
out here fOrT" demanded Lawson.
hotly. 1T was dead mistake. I've
lost my head over her. III have her
Or die. No, Longstreth, we've got 10
settle things tonight"
Well. we can settle what Rays
concerned 10. right now" replied
Longstreth, rising. Come on; wen
ask her. See where you stand"
They went out leaving the door
open. Duane dropped down to rest
himself and to wait.
The men seemed to be absent a good |
while. though that feeling might have
been 0ccasloned by Dunne's thrilling
interest aud anxiety. Finally he |
heard heavy steps. Lawson came In /
alone. He was leaden-faced, humili-
lted. Then something AFFECT In him
gave place 10 rage. He strobe the
room; he cursed. Then Longstreth
returned. now appreciably calmer.
Duane could not but decide that he
cit relief M the evident rejection of
proposal
Don't fuss about II, Floyd" he
aid. "Yon see ! can't help II. We're
irr;ty Wild out here, but I can't rope
ny daughter and give her to you as
would an unruly steer"
"Lougstreth. I can make her marry
Ne. declared Lawson, thlckly.
"HOwy"
You know the hold I got on you
he deal that made you boss OF this
usfler gHng7"
1T isn't likely I'd forget" replied
grlmly.
g! can go 20 Ray. tell her that. make
er believe I'd tell II broadcast-ten
his rUnger-nuless she'd marry me-
Lawson spoke breathlessly. with
lggard face and shadOwed eyes. He
40 no shame. lie was simply In the
'ip Of passion.
LOngstreth gazed with dark, con
oiled fury at this relative. In that a
ok Dunno snw strong, unscrupu- .
us man fullen into evil ways. but
ill q man. II betrayed Lawson to .
: the Wild and passionate weakllng Il
Ike the great majority Of evil and
restrained men on the border. he a
"a reuched point where influence u
ls futile. Reason had degenerated
. snw only himself -
But Floyd Rays the one person r
earth who must never know I'm !
rustler, a thief. red handed ruler =,
the worst gang Of robbers" replied "
imprcsslyely.
Floyd bowed his head at that as
the significance had just occurred
him. But be was not long at loss
she's going to lind Il out sooner ~
later tell you she knows now W
nrc's something wrong out here. ~
e's got eyes. Mark what ! say" y
Ray has changed. know. But ~,
q hasn't any idea yet that her 49,
,ldy's boss rustler Rays con -
'ued about what she calls my duty
mayor Also I think she's not sat
led with my explanations In regard II
certain property"
Lawson halted In his restless walk u
4 leaned against the stone muntel-
'ce, He had his hands in his peck. w
lie squared himself as n this
= his last stand. lie looked desper. nl'
, but on the moment showed an CO.
,cnce OF his usual nervous excite cal
at. SIR
'Longstreth, that may well be true"
said "No doubt an you say IL
q. But Il doesn't help me. want sHi
girl. II I don't get her--l reckon
n an 20 10 hellr' inc
.ongstrcth guve slight start. no
ely perceptlble. like the switch ~ Is
tiger lie sat there bend STR
yn. stroklug his mustuchc. DUNES lni
ylction was thut Longstrrfh right Fei
% and there decided that the thing SUI
10 was 70 Elll Lawson We
.nwaou 40 more caught the futcm
lIBcnncc Of line sri. limit
chcd. decree decided than ~ be-
Eot been present nu WINS !
esscd with himself How Duane int,
Idercd. hnd n man of biz mind ever res
ID 80 long nnd gone 30 Gar among tan
cxucting conditions Of the South. DO
~ The answer WINS. perhaps. thll
{ Longstreth had guided him, up. TAI