Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1917-01-24

L
had reached a point where influence
was futile. Reason had degenerated.
He saw only himself.
But, Floyd, Rays the one person
on earth who must never know I'm
rustler. a thief, red-handed ruler
of the worst gang Of robbers" replied
Longstreth, impressively.
Floyd bowed his head at that, as
if the significance had just occurred
to him. But he was not long at loss.
"She's going to find it out sooner
or later. tell you she knows now
there's something wrong out here.
She's got eyes. Mark what say.S
cray has changed, know. But
she hasn't any idea yet that her
daddy's boss rustler. Rays con-
cerned about what she calls my duty
as mayor. Also think she's not sat
isfled with my explanations in regard
to certain property"
Lawson halted In his restless walk
and leaned against the stone mantel-
piece He had his hands in his pock-
, cts. He squared himself as If this
was his last stand. He looked desper-
ate, but on the moment showed an
absence of his usual nervous excite
ment. III
"Longstreth, that may well be true"
he said. mo doubt all you say is
true. But it doesn't help me. l want
the girl. II don't get her-I reckon
Wen all 60 to hell"
Longstreth gave a slight start,
barely perceptible, like the switch Of
an awakening tiger. He sat there head
down, stroking his mustache. Duane's
conviction was that Longstreth right
then and there decided that the thing
to do was to kill Lawson.
Lawson no more caught the fateful
significance Of a line crossed. a. limit
reached, decree decided than If he
had not been present. He was
obsessed with himself. How, Duane
wondered, had a man Of his mind ever
lived so long and gone SO far among
the exacting conditions Of the South
west2 The answer was, perhaps,
that Longstreth had guided him. up
held him, protected him. The CONF
ing Of Ray LoEgstreth had been the
entering wedge Of dissension.
you're too impatient" said Long
streth. '.Ray might be won. She
might marry you to save me, but she'd
hate you. That isn't the way. Wait.
Play for time. Let's plan to sell out
here stock, ranch, property-and
leave the country. Then you'd have
q show with her"
II told you we've got to stick"
growled Lawson. '4The gang won't
stand for our going. 1t can't be done
unless you want to sacrifice every
thing"
"You mean double-cross the men?
Go without their knowing? Leave
them here to face whatever cOmes7"
81 mean just that" !.
''I'm bad enough, but not that bad"
returned Longstreth, IF I can't get
the gang to let me off. I'll stay and
face the music. All the same, Law
son, did 1t ever strike you that most
Of the deals the last few years have
been yours?"
i Eyes. If hadn't r1ng them In
there wouldn't have been any. You've
had cold feet, and especially since
this ranger has been here"
"Well, call it cold feet if you like.
But call it sense. We reached our
limit long ago. Then we had to 60
on. Too late to turn back p
II reckon we've all said that. None
of the gang wants to quit. They all
think, and think, we can't be touch,
ed. We may be blamed, but nothing
can be proved. We're too strong
There's where you're dead wrong"
rejoined Longstreth, emphatically. 81
imagined that once, not long ago.
was hull-headed. Who would ever
connect Granger Longstreth with q
rustler gang? I've changed my mind
I've begun to think. I've reasoned
out things. We're crooked, and we
can't last. It's the nature Of life, even
here, for conditions to grow better
The wise deal for us would be to
divide equally and leave the country
all Of u.s.
''But you and l have all the stock
all the gain" protested Lawson.
''I1l split NINE"
II won't-that settles that" added
Lawson, instantly.
Longstreth' spread wide his hands
as If 1t was useless to try to convince
this man. Talk had not increased his
calmness, and he now showed NOR
than Impotence. A dull CLINT cleaned
deep In his eyes.
''Your stock and property will las
long time-do lots Of good wher
this ranger"
"Bah!" hoarsely croaked Lawson
The rangers name was match ap
piled to powder. Haven't l told yor
he'd be dead soon-any time same
as Laramie ISL"
Eyes, you mentioned the the sup
position" replied Longstreth, sarcash
cally. II inquired, too, just how thai
very desired event was to be brought
about"
The gang will lay him out"
"Bahw retorted L0ngstreth, in turn
He laughed contemptuously.
"Floyd, don't be fool. You've
been on the border for ten~years bu1
you never in all that time saw mar
like this ranger. The only way h
get rid of him is for the gang d