Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-01-22
n MI VI. NM 81 w
The Lone
Star RANGER
a Romance Of the Border
BY ZANE GREY
Authceol 4
TN LIGHT OF NESrE1N STARS
"RlDElS or THE PURPLE SAGE" E1C.
~. s-sAtsi ~ N----- y -tf.''
oHApTks XVIII.

Duane left the hall, elbowed his
way through the crowd, and went
down the street. He was certain that
ON the faces Of some men he, had seen
ill-concealed wonder and satisfaction.
He had struck some kind Of hot
trail, and he meant to see where II
led. It was BY no means unlikely
that Cheseldine might be at the other
end. Duane controlled mounting
eagerness. But ever and anon 1t was
shot through with a remembrance Of
Ray Longstreth. He suspected her
father OF being not what he pretended.
He was troubled.
Upon returning to the inn he found
Laramie there. apparently none the
worse for his injury.
How are you, Laramie7" he asked.
THAT was good crack Snecker gave
you."
II ain't accusin' b." demonstrated
Laramie. with eyes that made Duane
thoughtful.
"Well, / accuse him. ] caught him
took him to Longstreth's court. But
they let him go.''
Laramie appeared to be agitated By
this intimatfon Of friendship.
"See here. Laramie" went on
Duane, 'tln some parts Of Texas It's
policy to be closemouthed. Policy
and health-preservingi Between our
selves, I want yourto know I lean
ON your side Of the fence Al.
Laramie gave quick start. Pre-
sently Duane turned and frankly met
his gaze. He had startled Laramie
ont Of his habitual get taciturnity
but even as he looked the light that
might have been amaze and joy faded
out Of his face, leaving it the same
old mask. Stin Duane had seen
enough. Like Z bloodhound he had
4 scent.
Talking about work. Laramie,
who'd you say Snecker worked for7"
'4When he works at all, which sure
amt, often he rides for Longstreth."
.Humph! Seems 10 me that Long
streth's the whole circus round Fair
dale. was surprised to hear some
one say Longstreth owned the Hope
So joint"
.He owns considerable property
hereabouts," rsplied Laramie, con-
STRANGELY.
.Humph againi Laramie. Ike every
other fellow I met In this town.
yog,re afraid to open your trap about
LaSestreth. Get me straight, Lara
mi< For cause rdsthrow gun on
lin just as quick u on any rustler
in sPocos.r
Talks cheap" replied Laramie.
making light Of HIS Fbluster, but the
red was deeper In his face.
:..Sure. know that" Duane said.
.And usually ! don't talk. Then it's
not well known that Longstreth
owns the Hope Sol"
Reckon It's known In Pecos, all
right. But Longstreth's name isn't
connected with the Hope So. Blandy
runs the place"
.That Blandy. His faro games
crooked, or I'm a 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 it,
built the place, owned 1t for, eleven
years"
'sWell. TIL be dogsoned.' It was
indeed Duane's turn to be surprised.
and with the surprise came giim-
mering. I'm sorry you're not there
now. Did you sell outf"
rho. Just lost the place."
Laramie was bursting for relief
new-to talk. to tell. Sympathy had
uaade him soft. ut was two years
s1 a9o-t years last March" he went
on. II was In I big cattle deal with
iIongstreth. We got the stock-an
my. share, eighteen hundred head
was rustled OF. ! owed Longstreth
He pressed me. 1t came to . law
suit an. ives ruined
1t hurt Duane to look ct Laramie
4 He was white. and tears rolled down
his cheeks. Duane saw the bitterness
tbs defeat, the agony Of the man
hut the reason he did not openly &C
cuse Lonsstreth, the secret OF his
rstfcence and fear-these Duane
thought best TO try to learn at some
iat9r time. & 81 *
..Hard luck! 1t certainly was
tough" Duane said. .'But you're z
rod loser. And the wheel turns!
Now, Laramie, here's what. need
your advice. I've got a little money
Rut before I lose 1t I want to invest
4 some. Buy some stock, or buy az
interest In some ranchers herd
Sure you must know . couple OF men
above suspicion"
..Thank God / do" he replied
4 feelingly. Crank Morto1 an 81
Zmmer, my friends an .neaghbors all
my prosperous days, an friends still
' 20. 2csn gamble on Frank an 81
4 But il you want advice from me
don't invest money In stock now.
'.Why7 ..s, IS
"Because any new Teller buyin
stock these days will be rustled quick
er II he can say Jack Robinson. The
old ranchers are wise an sore
They'd fight II they
y - i,s
Paused. what 'dfmake them fght7
"a leader r.
.Howdy thar. lin" doomed Z % by
/. yolce. ss i: n n Z, q
IA man Of great bulk, with q rudy
nefrS face, entered the room. Il
@ Ieaio, MORTON. replied Laramie
szsrd 1htrS ddce( y1u to my guest A1fe