The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1917-12-22

AUS
"If I give you my word you'll not
be arrested-you1l be treated fairly
will you come into camp and consult
with me?'
Certainly"
duane, I'm sure glad to meet you"
went on MacNelly; and he extended
his hand.
Amazed and touched, scarcely realiz-
ing this actuality, Duane gave his hand
and felt an unmistakable grip Of
warmth.
ut doesn't seem natural, Captain
MacNelly, but I believe I'm glad to
meet you" said Duane, soberly.
"You will be. Now wen go back to
camp. Keep your identity mum for the
present"
He led Duane in the direction of the
campfire.
"Pickens, go back on duty" he
ordered, "and, BeesOn, you look after
this horse"
When Duane got beyond the line
of mesquite, which had hid a good
view of the camp site, he saw a group
of perhaps fifteen rangers sitting
around the fires, nea a long, low shed
where horses were feeding, and a
small adobe house at one side.
We've just had grub, but I'll see you
get some. Then We'll talk" said
MacNelly. 1--WE taken up temporary
quarters here. Have a rustler job on
hand. Now, when you've eaten, come
right into the house"
Duane was hungry, but he hurried
through the ample supper that a
set before him, urged on by curiosity
and establishment. While eating he
had bent keen eyes around him. After
a first quiet scrutiny the rangers APP
parently paid no more attention to
him. They were all veterans in serv-
ice-Duane saw that-and rugged,
noverful men of iron constitution.
Despite a general conversation of
campfire nature, Duane was not de-
ceived about the fact that his advent
had been an unusual and striking one,
which had caused an u~ndercurrent Of
conjecture and even CONSERVATION
mons them. These rangers were too
well trained to appear openly curious
about their captains guest. AS it
was. Duane felt a suspense that must
have been due to a hint of his
identity.
He was not long In presenting him.
self at the door of the house.
Come in and have a chair" said
MacNelly, motioning for the n other
occupant of the room to rise. Leave
us, Russell, and close the door. I'll
be through these reports right off"
MacNelly sat at a table upon which
was a lamp and various papers. Seen
in the light he was a fin~e-looking,
soldlerly man of about forty years,
dark-haired and dark-eyed, with a
bronzed face, shrewd, stern, strong, yet
not wanting in kindness. He scanned
hastily over ONE papers, fused with
them, and finally put them in enve-
lopes. Settling back in his chair, he
faced Duane, making a vain attempt
to hide what must have been the full
flment of a long-nourished curiosity
Duane, I've been hoping for this
for two years." he began.
Duane smiled a little-a smile that
felt strange on his face. He had never
been much of a talker. And speech
here seemed more than ordinarily din
cult.
MacNelly must have felt that.
He looked long and earnestly al
Duane, and his quick, nervous manner
changed to grave tho%ughtfulness.
"Ever hear from home since you
left Wellston?" he asked, abruptly.
"No," replied Duane, sadly.
That's tough. I'm glad to be abl'
to tell you that up to just lately YOU
mother, sister, uncle-all your folks
l believe-were well. I've kept posted
But haven't heard lately"
Duane averted his face a moment
hesitated till the swelling left his
throat, and then said. sits worth wha
/ went through to-day to hear that"
81 can imagine how you feel abou
IL. When l was In the war-but let
get down to the business of this meet
ing"
He pulled his chair close to Duane's
you've had word more than one
I'm the last two years that l wanted Z
see you, why didn't you hunt me upf
At supposed you imagined me N o
those gun-ighters who couldn't take
dare and expected me TO ride up Z
your camp and be arrested
"That was natural, | suppose wen
ON MacNelly. "You didn't know me
otherwise you would have come. Py
been a long time getting to you. Blu
the nature of my job, as far as your
concerned, made me cautious. Duane
you're aware of the hard name 20
bear all over the SouthwestT
"Once in a while Tn Jared Int
realizing" replied Duane.
sits the hardest. barring Murre
and Cheseldine, on the Texas bordeI
But there's this difference. Murre
In his day was known TO deserve HI