Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-01-16

The Lone
Star Ranger.
a Romance Of the Border
BY ZANE GREY
Authosoe
The LIGHT OF WESTERN STARS
4 RIDERS or THE PURPLE SAGE" ETC.


j Swift % flash he drew his gun
and fired. Then the robbers gun
oomed harmlessly. He fell with
Mood squirting over his face. Duane
Ahed out Of the room, across the
g3b, through the bar to the yard.
N the gloom stood saddled horse.
4(probably the one belonging to the
Fellow he had shot. His comrade had
Ne aged. Returning to the sitting
Prf IN, Duane found condition APP
4 y 6aching pandemonium.
The innkeeper was shouting to find
ht what had happened. Joel, the
stage-driver. was trying to quiet the
men who had been robbed. The wo-
man, wife OF one Of the men, had
come In, and she had Mysteries. The.
|Sgi.ls were still and white. The rob-
|1.,e;a; Bin lay where he had fallen. Like
a Gagged lion Longstreth stalked and
roared. There came quieter mo-
ment in which the innkeeper shrilly
protested: :
Man. what're you ravin' ABBOTT?
Nobody's hurt, an thet's lucky. l
|swear to God I hadn't nothin' to do
with them fellers!"
II ought to kill you anyhow" re-
piled Longstreth. And his voice now
lastounded Duane, it was SO full of
power.
Upon examination Duane found
that his bullet had furrowed the rob-
ber's temple and had glanced. He was
not seriously injured, and already
showed signs Of returning conscious
ness.
drag him out Of herew ordered
Longstreth; and he turned to his
daughter.
Before the innkeeper reached the
robber Duane had secured the money
and gun taken from him; and presently
recovered the property of the other
men. Joel helped the innkeeper carry
the injured man somewhere outside.
Miss Longstreth was sitting white
Ibga composed upon the couch, where
lay Miss Ruth, who evidently had
heen carried there by the Colonel.
fThe Colonel, now that he finally re-
membered his womenfolk, seemed to
be gentle and kind. he talked sooth-
|ingly to Miss Ruth, made light/of the,
adventure, said she must learn to
have nerve out here where things
happened.
"Cnn b n any service?" asked
Duane, solicitously.
Thanks. guess there's nothing
you can do. Talk to these frightened
girls while 60 see what's to be done
with that thick-skulled robber," he
replied, and. telling the girls that
there was no more danger, he went
out. Y n, 1's. Il.
Bliss Longstreth sat with one hand
holding her torn waist in place; the
other she extended to Duane. He
took It awkwardly, and he felt
strange thrill.
you saved my life" she said, in
grave, sweet seriousness.
mo, mol" Duane exclaimed. "He
might have struck you. hurt you, but
no more"
ADid you kill him p asked Miss
HuLn, VINO lay listening.
"Oh, no. He's not badly hurt"
SIN very glad he's alive" said
Miss Longstreth, shuddering.
TELL me all about. it," asked Miss
Ruth, who was fast recovering.
Rather embarrassed, Duane briefly
told the incident from his point Of
view.
Cousin" said Miss Longstreth,
thoaghtfully, 1T was fortunate for us
that this gentleman happened to be
here. Papa scouts-laughs at dang
er. He seems to think there was no
danger. Yet he raved after 1t came"
go with ~ all the way to Fair
dale please1" asked Miss Ruth,
sweetly offering her hand. .l'I am
Ruth Herbert. And this Is my cousin
Ray Longstreth."
sTm travelling that way" replied
Duane, IN great confusion. he did
not know how to meet the situation.
Colonel Lohgstreth retumed then,
and after bidding Duane good night,
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