The Ozark spectator., 1916-11-01
CHAPTER xlV-Continued.

Duane averted his face a moment, hesitated till the swelling left his throat and then said, Its worth what l went through to-day to hear that"
 'I can imagine how you feel about it. When I was in the war-but let's get down to the business of this meet ing"
 He pulled his chair close to Duane's.
 You've had word more than once in the last two years that I wanted to see you, why didn't you hunt me up?"
 q supposed you imagined me one of those gun-fighters who couldn't take dare and expected me to ride up to your camp and be arrested"
 That was natural, suppose" went on MacNelly. "You didn't know me, otherwise you would have come. I've been long time getting to you. But the nature of my job, as far as you're concerned, made me cautious. Duane, you're aware of the hard name you bear all over the Southwestw
 "Once in a while I'm jared into realizing" replied Duane.
 Its the hardest, barring Murrell and Cheseldine, on the Texas border. But there's this difference. Murrell in his day was known to deserve his infamous name, Cheseldine In his day also. But I've found hundreds of men fin southwest Texas who're your friends, who swear you never con- ,,,sf rtt far thA- | get the clearer this becomes. What I want to know is the truth. Have you ever done anything criminal? Tell me the truth, Duane. It won't make any difference in my plan. And when l say crime l mean what I would call crime, or any reasonable Texan"
 That way my hands are clean," re- piled Duane.
 You never held up n man, robbed n store for grub, stole horse when you needed him bad-never anything like that?'
 ''Somehow always kept out of that, just when pressed the hardest"
 Duane, I'm glad!" MacNelly ex- claimed. gripping Duane's hand. Glad for your mothers sake! But, all the same, in spite of this, you are Texas outlaw accountable to the state. You're perfectly aware that under ex- loting circumstances. if you fell into the hands of the law, you'd probably hang et least go to jail for long term
 That's what kept me on the dodge all these years" replied Duane.
 Certainly" MacNelly's eyes nar- rowed and glittered. The muscles along his brown checks set hard and tense. He leaned close to Duane, laid sinewy, pressing fingers upon Duane's knee.
 Listen to this" he whispered, hoarsely. If place a pardon in your handmade you free, honest citizen once more. clear your name of infamy, make your mother, your sister proud of you-will you swear yourself to service. any service demand of you?"
 Duane sat stock still, stunned.
 Slowly, more persuasively, with show of earnest agitation, Captain MacNelly reiterated his startling query.
 My God." burst from Duane. "What's this? MncNelly, you cant be in earnest"
 "Never more so in my life. I've deep game. I'm playing it square. What do you say?'
 He rose to his feet. Duane. as if impelled. rose with him. Ranger and outlaw then locked eyes that searched each others souls. In MacNely's Duane sead truth. strong, fiery pur- pose, hope, even gladness, and n fugi- tive mounting assurance of victory.
 Twice Duane endeavored to speak, failed of all save a hoarse, incoherent sound, until, forcing back a flood of speech, he found a voice.
 Any service? Every service! Mac Nelly, I give my word" said Duane.
 A light played over MacNelly's face, warming out all the grim darkness. He held out his hand. Duane met 1t with his in clasp that men uncon- sciousy give in moments of stress.
 When they unclasped and Duane stepped back to drop into n chair MacNelly fumbled for cigar and, lighting it, turned to his visitor, now calm and cool He had the look of n man who had justly won some thing at considerable cost. His next move was to take long leather case from his pocket and extract from it several folded papers.
 Here's your pardon from the Cover nor," he said, quietly. "Youll see, when you look 1t over, that it's condi- tional. When you sign this paper have here the condition will be met"