Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-08-10

faced, ~hungry-eyed giant turned his
gaze upon Duane. He had intelligence
which was no yet subservient to pas
sion. Moreover, he seemed the kim OF
man Duane would care to have judge
him in a critical moment like this.
Listen" said Duane, gravely. with
his eyes steady on Aiken's, Tn Buck
Duane. l never lied to any man in my
life. l was forced into outlawry. I've
never had a chance to leave the coun-
try. W killed men to save my own
life. l never Intentionally harmed n
woman. | rode 80 miles today--deliber-
ately to see what this reward was, who
made it, for. When l read the
placard I vent sick to the bottom of
my soul. SO ! rode in here to find you
to tell you this: | never saw Shir-
ley before today. 1t was impossible
for me to have-killed your Wife. Last
September L was 200 miles north of
here on the upper Nucces. ] can prove
that. Men who know me will tell you
| couldn't murder a woman. | haven't
any idea why such a deed should be
laid at my hands. It's just that wild
border gossip. | have no idea what req
sons you have for holding me respon-
sible. | only ~know-you're wrong.
You've been deceived. And see here,
Aiken. You understand I'm a miserable
man. In about broken, / guess. / don't
care any more for life, or anything. If
ypu p"ll l ipOh ilIt III INC eyes, ilidlI w
man, and believe what l say-whS, by
God! you can kill met"
Aiken heaVed a great breath.
Buck Duane, whether I'm impressed
or not by what you say needn't matter.
You've had accuscrs, justly or UNI
{ justly, as will soon appear. The thing
IS we can prove you innocent or guilty.
My girl Lucy saw my wffe's assailant.'
He motioned for the crowd of men to
open up.
Somebody you, sibert-go for
Lucy. That II settle this thing
Duane heard as a man in an ugly
dream. The faces around him, the hum
of voices. all seemed far off. His life
hung by the merest thread. Yet he did
not think of that so much rs of the
brand of a woman murderer which
might be soon sealed upon him by a
frightened, imaginative child.
The crowd trooped apart II closed
again. Duane caught a blurred image
of a slight girl clinging to Sibert's
hand. He could not see distinctly.
Aiken lifted the child, whispered sooth-
ingly to her not to be afraid. Then he
fetched her closer to Duane.
Lucy, tell me. Did YOU ever see this
man before?' asked Aiken. huskily and
low. rs he the one-who came in the
house that day-struck you dCwn-and
dragged mama"
Aiken's voice failed.
| A lightning flash seemed to clear
Duane's blurred sight. He saw q pale,
sad face and violet eyes fixed in gloom
and horror upon his. No terrible mo-
ment in Duane's life ever equaled this
one of si1ence-of suspense.
ut amt him. cried the child.
Then Sibert was flinging the moose
off Duane's neck and u~nwinding the
bonds round his arms. The spellbound
crowd awoke to hoarse EXPLANATIONS.
:San fbnra my 1nr0aJ panfS how al Sy
you'd hang the wrong man, burst out
the cowboy, as he made the rope-end
hiss. "You-all are a lot of wise rangers.
Haw! haw!"
He freed Duane and thrust the bone
handled gun back in Duane's holster.
You Abe, there. Reckon you pulled
a stunt! But don't try the like again.
And, men. I'll gamble there's a hell Of
a lot of bad work Buck Duane's named
for-which all he never done. Clear
away there. Where's his boss? Duane,
the roads open out of Shirley"
Sibert swept the gaping watchers
aside II pressed Duane toward the
horse, which another cowboy held.
Mechanically Duane mounted. felt a
lift as he went up. Then the cowboys
hard face softened Il a smile.
Il reckon it amt uncivil of me to say
hit that road quick!" he said, frankly.
He led the horse out of the crowd.
Aiken Joined him, and between them
they escorted Duane across the plaza.
The crowd appeared irresistibly drawn
to follow.
Aiken paused with his big hand on
Duane's knee. In it, unconsciously
probably, he still held the gun.
Duane, a word with you he said.
Il believe you're. not so black as you've
been painted. { wish there was time to
say more. Te me this, anyway. Do
you know I'll Ranger Captain Mac
Neily?'
4 du not" .-snleu TuaI,e, in surprise.
Il met him only n week ago over in
Fairfield went on Aiken, hurriedly.
He declared you n, yer killed my wife.
[ didn't believe him-argued with him.
We almost had hard words over it.
Now-Im sorry. The last thing he said
was: If you ever see Duanc don't kill
him. Send him into my camp after
dark!' He meant something strange.
What can't say. But he was right,
and I was wrong. If Lucy had batted
an eye I'd have killed you. Still 1
wouldn't advise you to, hunt up Vac
Nelly's camp. He's clever. Maybe he
believes there's no treachery in his
new ideas of anger tactics. l tell
you for all it's worth. Goodby. May
God help you further as he lie this
day!"
Duane said goodby and touched the
horse with his spurs.
S long, Euck!" called Sibert, with
that frank smile breaking warmly over
his brown face; and he held his SOM
brero high.
CHAPTE XIV.
When Duane reached the crossing Of
the roads the name Fairfield on the
sign post seemed to be the Nhing that