The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1917-01-25


you're afraid TO open your trap about |
Longstreth. Get me straight, Lara
mie. For cause I'd throw gun on |
him just as quick as on any rustler
in Pecos."
Talks cheap" replied Laramie,
making light of his buster, but the
red was deepe. in his face.
"Sure. l know that" Duane said.
"And usually | don't talk. Then it's
not well known that Longstreth
owns the Hope So7"
Reckon it's known in Pecos. all
right. But Longstreth's name isn't
connected with ss,e Hope So. Blandy
runs the place"
"That Blandy. His faro games
crooked, or I'm locoed bronch. That
Hope SO place ought to be run by
good fellow like you, Laramie"
Thanks" replied he; and Duane
imagined his voice little husky.
Didn't you hear | used to-run itf
built the place, owned II for eleven
years."
"Well, I'll be doggoned." II was
indeed Duane's turn TO be surprised,
and with the surprise came gllm-
mering. I'm sorry you're not there
now. Did you sell out"
"No. Just lost the place"
Laramie was bursting for relief
now--to talk, to tell. Sympathy had
made him soft. ut was two years
ago-two years last March," he went
on. 81 was In big cattle deal with
Longstreth. We got the stock-an
my share, eighteen hundred head.
was rustled off. owed Longstreth
He pressed me. II came to law
sultan Twas ruined"
1t hurt Duane to look at Laramie.
He was white, and tears rolled down
his cheeks. Duane saw the bitterness,
the defeat, the agony OF the man.
But the reason he did not openly &C.
cuse Longstreth, the secret of his
reticence and fear-these Duane
thought best to try to learn at some
later time.
Hard luckl 1t certainly was
tough" Duane said. 'But you're a
good loser. And the wheel turns
Now, Laramie, here's what. l need
your advice. I've got a little money.
But before l lose 1t want to invest
some. Buy some stock, or buy an
interest in some rancher's herd.
Sure you must know couple of men
above suspicion"
"Thank God l do" he replied
feelingly. "Frank Morton an 81
thinner, my friends an neighbors all
my prosperous days, an friends still.
You can gamble on Frank an 81.
But IL you want advice from me
don't invest money In stock now.'
"WhyT'
Because any new feller buyln'
stock these days will be rustled quick
er n he can say Jack Robinson. The
old ranchers are wise an sore.
They'd fight If they"
"what" Duane put in as he
paused. "What d make them 6ghtT'
"a leader!"
"Howdy thar, Jim" doomed big
voice.
A man of great bulk, with ruddy,
merry face, entered the room.
"HellO, Morton" replied Laramie.
I'D introduce you to my guest here,
but don't know his name"
"Hnwi Hawi Thet's all right. Few
men out hyar go by their right
Names"
Say Morton" put in Duane, Lar
annie gave me a hunch you'd be q
good man to tie to. Now, I've little
money and before lose 1t I'd like to
invest It in stock"
Morton smiled broacly.
I'm on the square," Duane said
bluntly. "If you fellows never size W
your nelghbors any better thnn you
have sized Newell, you won't gel
any richer.'
1t was enjoyment for Duane to
make his remarks TO these mer
pregnant with meaning. Mortor
showed his pleasure, his interest, but
his faith held aloof.
"Wal. stranger, TO come out fiat
footed. you'd be foolish to buy cattle
now. Better go back across the Pecos
where the rustlers amt so strong"
"All hear is rustlers, Morton" re
piled Duane, with impatience. "Yor
see, I haven't ever lived long In Q
rustler-run county. Who heads the
gang, anyways"
Morton looked at Duane with a cur
iously amused smile, then snapped his
big jaw as If TO shut In impulsiv'
words.
"Look here, Morton. It stands tC
reason, no matter how strong these
rustlers are, how hidden their work
however involved with supposedly
honest men-they cant last. There
are lot of men around Falrdale who
re afraid of their shndows-afraid tC
be ont after dark-afraid to oper
their mouths. But you're not one
What you need out here is some new
blood. Savyy what l meanf"