Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1916-09-13
CHApTER NYu.

CHAPTER XVII.
Duane left the hail, showed his way
through the crowd, and went down the
street. He was certain that on the
concealed wonder and satisfaction. He
had struck some kind of a hot trail.
and he meant to see where it led. 1t
was by no means unlikely that Ches-
cldlne might be III the other end.
Duane controlled II mounting eager
ness. But ever and anon it was shot
through with q remembrance of Ray
LonSstreth. He suspected her father
of being not what he pretended. He
might, very probably would. bring sor-
row and shame to this young m
The thought made him smart with
pain. She began to haunt him. and
then he was thinking more of her
beauty and sweetness than OF the dis
grace he might bring upon her. Some
strange emotion, long locked inside
Duane's heart, knocked to be heard. to
be let out. He was troubled.
Upon returning to the inn he found
Laramie there. apparently none the
worse for his injury.
How are you, Laramie" he asked.
Reckon I'm feelin' as we'll as could
he expected" replied Laramie. His
head was circled by a b%andage that did
not conceal the lump where he had
been struck. He looked pale, but was
bright enough.
That was a good crack Snecker gave
you,' remarked Duane.
Il amt accusin' 3d." demonstrated
Laramie, with eyes that made Duane
thoughtful.
Well, l accuse him. l caught him
took him to Longstreth's court. But
they let him CO.,
Laramie appeared to be agitated by
this intimation of friendship.
See here. Laramie" went on Duane,
in some parts of Texas it's policy to
be close mouthed. Policy and health
preserving! Between ourselves, l want
you to know L lean on o W side of the
fence"
Laramie gave a quick start. Pres
emily Duane turned and frankly net
his gaze. He had startled Laramie out
of his habitual set ta~citurnity; but
even as he looked the light that might
have been amaze and joy faded out Of
ms race. leaving 1T the same old mask.
Still Duane had seen enough. Like q
bloodhound he had a scent.
Talking about work. Laramie, who'd
you say Snecker worked for?"
Il didn't say"
mic. you're powerful peevish today. It's
that bump on your head. Who does
Snecker work for"
When he works at all, which sure
amt often, he tides for Longstreth."
"Humph! Seems to me that Long
streth'S the whole circus round Fair
dale. l was some sore the other day
TO find l was losing good money at
Longstreth's faro game. Sure if I'd
won 1 wouldn't have been sore-ha, ha!
but was surprised to hear some one
say Longstreth owned the Hope So
joint"
He owns considerable property
hereabouts," replied Laramie, con-
STRANGELY.
"Humph again! Laramie, like every
other fellow l meet in this town, you're
afraid to open your trap about Long
don't care u damn for Colonel Mayor
Longstreth. And for cause I'd throw
a gun on him just as quick as on any
~rustler in Pecos.'
Talk cheap" replied Laramie;
was deeper in his face.
Sure. l know that" Duane said.
And usually l don't al Then it's not
we'll known that Longstreth owns the
Hope SOP"
Reckon it's known in Pecos, all
right. But Longstreth's name isn't
connected with the Hope So. Blandy
runs III place."
crooked. or Pm a locoed bronch. Not
that we don't nave lots of crooked
faro dealers. A fellow can stand for
them. But Blandy's mean. back handed
never looks you in the eyes That
Hope So place ought to be run by a
good fellow like you. Laramie"
Thanks" replied he: and Duane
imagined his voice a little husky.
Didn't you hear 1 used to-run it?"
No. Did you?" Duane said quickly.
- reckon. l built the place. made
additions twice. owned it for IL years.
Well. I'll be doggoned." 1t was in
deed Duane's turn to be surprised, and
with the surprise came a glimmering.
I'm sorry you're not there now. Did
you sell out?"
:, No. Just lost the place."
:, Laramie was bursting for relief now
Ito talk. to tell. Sympathy had made
him soft.
1T was two years ago-two. years
last March," he went on. Il was in a
big cattle lea with Longstreth. We
got the stock-an' my share, 1900 head,
was rustled of. l owed Longstreth.
He pressed me. 1t come to a lawsuit
an WAS ruined.
? l. 1t hurt Duane to look at Laramie. He
was white. and tears rolled down his
cheeks. Duane saw the bitterness, the
defeat. the agony Of the man. He had
falied to meet his obligations: never
J theless, he had been swindled. All that
he suppressed. all that would have
r been passion had the mans spirit not
been broken. lay bare for Duane to see
i; He had now the secret of his bitter
. ness. But the reason he did not openly
. accuse Longstreth, the secret Of his
Ieticence and fear these Duane
. thought best to try to earn at some
later time.
Hard duck. 1t certainly wa tough
! And the wheel turns! Now. Laramie
Il here's what. I mead vollr advice. lnve