The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1917-02-22

CROWDED close, enger, like hounds
ready to run. They all talked at
once, and the word most significant
and frequent In their speech was
"outlaws."
MacNelly clapped his fist in bis
hand.
"This II make the adjutnnt sick
with JOY. Maybe he won't have 1t
on the Governor Wen show them
about the ranger service. Duanel
how'd you ever do it2"
Now, Captain, not the half nor
the quarter Of this jobs done. The
gangs coming down the road They'll
ride In to town on the dot-two-thlrty."
"lfow many2" asked MacNclly.
"Poggin. Blossom Kane, Panhandle
Smith, Boldt, Jim Fletcher, and an-
other man | don't know.
"Poggin--that's the hard nut to
crack I've heard their record since
I've been In Val Verde. Where's
| Knell?"
"Knell's dead"
"Ahl" exclaimed MncNelly, softly.
Then he grew businessllke, cool, and
OF harder aspect. Duane. it's your
game to-day. We're all under your
orders"
you understand there's no sense In
trying to arrest Poggin, Kane aud that
LOTT" queried Duane.
mo, don't understand that" re-
piled MacNelly, biuntly.
ut can't be done. The drop can't
he got on such men. Poggin! That
outlaw has no equal with gun--un-
less He's got TO be killed quick.
They'll all have TO be killed. They're
all bad. desperate. know no fear, are
lightning In action"
every well, Duane; then it's fight.
That II be easier perhaps The boys
are spelling for u fight. Out with your
plan. now."
"Put one man at each end of this
street just nt the edge of town. Put =
four men up In that room over the
bank-two at each open window. Let
them hide till the game begins. The
rest OF your men put inside behind
the counters, where they'll hide. Now
20 over to the bank, spring the thing
on the bank officials, send your men
over one by one. No hurry, no ex-
citement, no unusual thing to attract
notice In the bank"
"All right. That's great. Tell me,
where do you intend TO waitT'
Duane heard MacNelly's question.
and IL struck him peculiarly. lie had
seemed to be planning and speaking
mechanically. As he was confronted
by the fact 1t nonplused him some
what, and he became thoughtful,
with lowered head.
"Where II Yea wait, Duaner' in
sisted MacNelly, with keen eyes
specializing.
"Tll wait In front-just inside the
door," replied Duane, with an effort.
"But will you hide7" asked Mac
Nelly.
Duane was silent.
MacNelly stared, and then strange.
} comprehending light seemed to fit
over his face.
'Duane. / can give you no orders
to-day" he said, distinctly. I'm only
Offering advice. Need you take any
more risks? You've redeemed your
self. The governor, the adjutant-gen-
cral-the whole state will rise up and
honor you. / say, as II ranger. need
you take more risk than your cap
tain?"
StiM Duane remained silent. He
was locked between two forces. And
one, tide that was bursting ut it's
bounds, seemed about to overwhelma
him. Finally that side of him, the
: retreatng self, the weaker, found o.
: voice.
: captain, just what I'll do or where
I'll be l can't say yet. In meetings
like this the moment decides. But
I'll be there"
: MacNelly spread wide his hands,
looked helplessly at his curious and
sympathetic rangers, and shook his
head.
"Now you've done your work-laid
D the trap-is this strange move of yours
1 going to be fair TO Miss Longstrethf"
r asked MacNelly, in significant low
voice.
Like great tree chopped at the
, roots Duane vibrated to that. He
looked up as IL he had seen a ghost.
Mercilessly the ranger captain went
on: 'Tou can win her, Duane Oh,
you can't fool me. | was wise In
minute. Fight with us from cover.
You,ll be free, honored, happy. That
girl loves youl saw it in her eyes,
She's"
But Duane cut him short with d
fierce gesture. He lunged up TO his
feet, and the rangers fell back. Dark.
silent, grim as he had been, still there
was transformation singularly more
sinister, stranger.
Enough. I'm DONE" he said, som.
berly. "Tve planned. Do we agree
or shall / meet Poggin and his gang
alone"
MacNelly cursed and again threw
L.. a