Tombstone epitaph., 1916-10-29
CHAPTER VII.


 by ghosts haunting his walking and sleeping hours. He awoke feeling bright and eager, and grateful to Euchre for having put something worth while into his mind. During breakfast, however, he was unusually thoughtful, working over the idea of how much or how little he could con tide in the outlaw. He was aware of Euchre's scrutiny.
 "Wal," began the old man. at last, .'hOw'd you make out with Jennie? What a you an she talk about?'
 We had a little chat You know you wanted me to cheer her up
 Euchre sat with cofTee-cup poised and narrow eyes studying Duane.
 "Buck, I've seen some outlaws whose word was good. Mine is. You can trust me. trusted you. takin' you over there an putin you wise to my tryin' to help thet poor kid
 Thus enjoined by Euchre, Duane be gan to tell the conversations with Jen- nie and Mrs. Bland word for word. Long before he had reached an end Euchre set down the cofTee-cup and began to stare and at the conclusion of the story his face lost some of its red color and beads of sweat stood out thickly on his brow.
 "WaI. if thet doesn't floor me-" he calculated, blinking at Duane. Young man, I fsgered you was some swift. an sure to make your mark on this river: but I reckon I missed your real caliber. Do you know what it Il take to do all you promised Jen"
 'I haven't any idea" replied Duane, gravely.
 'YouW have to pull the wool over Kate BIand's eyes, an even if she falls in love with you, which s shore likely. thet won't be e"~y. An she'd kill you in minnit, Buck. If she ever got wise. You ain't mistaken her none, are you?"
 Not me, Euchre. She's a woman I'd fear her more than any man.
 Wal you'll have to kill Bland an Chess AllOway an Rugg, an mebbe some others, before you can ride of into the hills with thet girl"
 "All right. I'll meet what cornes," said Duane. quietly. ''The great point Is to have horses ready and pick the right moment, then rush the trick through
 .'Thet's the only chance fer success. An you can't do it alone"
 "IH have to. I wouldn't ask you to help me"
 Wal, I'll take my chances" replied Euchre, gruffly. I'm going to help Jennie. you can gamble your last peso on thet." .-.. --.
 They talked and planned, though in truth It was Euchre who planned, Duane who listened and agreed. While awaiting the return of Bland and his iieutenants It would be well for Duane to grow friendly with the other out laws. to sit in a few games of monte. or show a willingness to spend a little money. Tine two schemers were to call upon Mrs. Bland every day Euchre to carry messages of cheer and warning to Jennie, Duane to blind the elder woman at any cost. These pre- llminaries decided upon. they proceed ed to put them into action
 Noh hard task was 1t to win the friend snip of the most of those good-Datured outlaws. There were men among them, however. that made Duane feel that terrible insxplicable wrath rise fn his breast. He could not bear to be near them. Jackrabbit Benson was one of these men. Because of him and other outlaws of his ilk Duane could scarcely ever forget the reality of things. This was a hidden valley, c robbers den, a rendezvous for mur desers. a wild place stained red by deeds of wild men. And because Of that there was always a changed at ruosohere. The merriest, idlest, most careless moment might in the flash of an eye end in ruthless and tragic ac- lion. Duane felt rather than saw Q dark, breeding shadow over the valley
 Then. without any solicitation or en. eyursgernent from Duane. the Bland woman fell passionately in love with him. She launched herself. And the thing which evidently held her in check sas the newness, the strangeness, and eor the moment the all-satisfying fact of his respect for her. Duane exertec Himself to please. to amuse, to inter .~f. to xasca,ate her. and always witt