Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1917-01-11

at Was a Dead Mistake"
lost my head over her. I'll have her
or die. No, Longstreth, we've got to
settle things tonight"
'Wel, we can settle what Rays
concerned in, right now" replied
Longstreth, rising. Come on; we'll
ask her. See where you stand"
They went out leaving the door
open. Duane dropped down to rest
himself and to wait.
The men seemed to be absent a good
while, though that feeling might have
been occasioned by Duane's thrilling
interest and anxiety. Finally he
heard heavy steps. Lawson came in
alone. He was leaden-faced, humili-
ated. Then something abject in him
gave place to rage. He strobe the
room; he cursed. Then Longstreth
returned, now appreciably calmer.
Duane could not but decide that he
felt relief at the evident rejection of
Lawson's proposal.
Don't fuss about 1t, Floyd" he
said. you see / can't help 1t. We're
pretty wild out here but l can't rope
my daughter and give her to you as
l would an unruly steer"
"Longstreth, l can make her marry
me-" declared Lawson, thickly.
"How?"
"You know the hold l got on you-
the deal that made you boss OF this
rustler gang?"
1T isn't likely I'd forget" replied
Longstreth, grimly.
Il can go TO Ray, tell her that, make
her believe I'd tell it broadcast-telI
this ranger-unless she'd marry me-"
Lawson spoke breathlessly, with
haggard face and Swallowed eyes. He
had no shame. He was simply in the
grip of passion.
Longstreth gazed with dark, con-
trOlled fury at this relative. In that
look Duane saw a strong, unscrupu-
IOuS man fallen into evil ways, but
still a man. 1t betrayed Lawson TO
be the wild and passionate weakling.
Like the great majority of evil and
unrestrained men on the border, he
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
a rustler, thief, 6 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 a loss.
''Shes going to find it out sooner
or later. I tell you she knows now
there's something wrong out here.
She's got eyes. Mark what 1 say"
Ray has changed, I know. But
she hasn't any idea yet that her
daddy's a boss rustler. Rays con-
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.
"Longstreth. that may we'll be true"
ne said. "No doubt all you say is
true. But it doesn't help me. l want
the girl. If I don't get her-I reckon
We'll all go to hell!'
Longstreth gave slight start,
barely percepdhle, like the switch of
an awakening tiger. He sat there head
down, strOkiug 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, limit
reached, a decree decided than If he
had not been present. He was
obseSSed with himself. How. Duane
wondered, had man o. his mind ever
lived so long and gone so far among
the exactiRg> conditions of the South
west? The answer was, perhaps,
that Longstreth had guided him, up
held him, protected him. The COM
ing of Ray Lorg streth had been the
entering wedge of dissension.
You're too impatient" said Long
streth. cray 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
hsra-srpGk.- ranch. properJ-and