The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1916-12-16

butt himself with an uis gang right,
into our hands. Hes just the man
I've needed TO meet"
eff Lawson's the man you think he
is he'll begin tibet secret underground
business. Why. Lawson won't sleep Of
nights now. He an Longstreth nave
always been after me-"
Laramie. what are your eyes forr
demanded Duane. watch out. And
now here. See your friend Morton.
Tell him this game grows hot To-
| gether you approach four or five men
you know well and can absolutely
trust. may need your help
Then Duane went from place to
place. corner to corner. bar to bar.
watching, listening, recording The
excitement had preceded him. and
speculation was rife. He thought
best to keep out of It. After dark
he stole up to Longstreth's ranch.
The evening was warm; the doors
were open; and In the twilight the
only lamps that had been lit were In
Longstreth's big sittlng-room. ut the
far end of the house. When buck
board drove up and Longstreth and
Lawson alighted, Duane was well
hidden in the bushes. so well screened
that he could get but fleetlng
glimpse of Longstreth as he went In.
For all Duane could see, he appeared
to be a calm and quiet man. intense
beneath the surface, with an air OF
dignity under insult. Duane's chance
to observe Lawson was lost. They
went into the house without speaking
and closed the door.
At the other end of the porch, close
under a window, was an Offset be-
tween step and wall, and there In
the shadow Duane hid. So Duane
waited there in the darkness with
patience born of many hours of hid
ing.
Presently lamp was lit; and
Duane heard the swish of skirts.
Something's happened surely,
Ruth" he heard Miss Longstreth say.
anxiously. "Papa just met me In
the hall and didn't speak. He seemed
pale, worried"
"Cousin Floyd looked like
thunder-cloud," said Ruth. "For once
he didn't try to kiss me. Something's
happened"
"Oh, dear! Ruth, what can we dot
These are wild men. Floyd makes life
miserable for me. And he teases you
unmer-"
II don't call It teasing. Floyd wants
to SPOON" declared Ruth. emphati-
cally. He'd run after any woman"
"a fine compliment for me. Cousin
Ruth" laughed Ray.
II don't care" replied Ruth, stub
bornly. "It's 80. He's mushy. And
when he's been drinking and tries to
kiss mel hate him"
There were steps on the hall floor.
"Hello, girls!" sounded out Law
sons voice, minus its usual gayety.
"Floyd. what's the matter2c asked
Ray, presently, II never saw papa as
he Is tonight, nor you $3.50 worried.
Tell me, what has happened?"
"We had to submit to damnable
outrage.n,replied Lawson, passionate
ly, as if the sound of his voice aug
| hthttu LtCith6s AIiotSht bhio -
tell you about It." He coughed, clear
ed his throat In way that betrayed
he had been drinking.
Duane sank deeper into the shadow
Of his covert, and, stiffening his
muscles for protracted spell OF
rigidity, prepared to listen with all
acuteness and intensity. Just one
, | II tpo 70
uttered In moment of passion, might
be the word Duane needed for his
clue.
ut happened ut the town hail." be-
gan Lawson, rapidly. "Your father
and Judge Owens and l were there
In consultation with threel ranchers
from out of town. Then That damned
ranger >stalked In dragging Snecker.
the fellow who hid here In the house.
He had arrested Snecker for alleged
assault on a restaurant-keeper named
Laramie Snecker being obviously in
nocent, he was discharged. Then this
ranger began shouting insults. Law
was farce in Fairdale. The court
was farce. There was no law. Your
father was afraid Of the rustlers
highwaymen, murderers. He was
afraid or-he just let them alone. He
used his Office to cheat ranchers and
, cattlemen in lawsuits. All this the
ranger yelled for everyone to hear.
A damnable outrage. Your father.
; hay, insulted In his own court by q
rowdy rangerw
, "Ohl" cried Ray Longstreth, In
: mingled distress and anger.
. "The ranger service wants to rule
western Texas" went on Lawson.
"These rangers are all a low SET
This Is one of the worst Of the lot.
: He's TO be feared He would kill. IL
: your father had made the least move
, he would have shot him. He's q
l cold.nerved devil-the born gunman.
My God, any instant expected to
see your father fall dead at my feet !"
"Oh, Floyd! The unspeakabia
! ruffian !" cried Ray Longstreth, pas
: sionately.
|. "What do you care for the insinua-