The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1917-02-15
CHAPTER xvil-contInued.

TT SH
Miss Longstreth rose white as her
dress. The young women present
stared In establishment, II they were
not equally perturbed. There were
cowboys present who suddenly grew
intent and still. BY these things
Duane gathered that his appearance
must be disconcerting. He was pant
ting. He wore no hat or coat. His
big ~gunsheath showed plainly at his
hip.
Sight Of Miss Longstreth had an
u~naccountable effect upon Duane. he
was plunged into confusion. For the
moment he saw no one but her.
Miss Longstreth II came to
search-your house." painted Duane.
Search my house" exclaimed Miss
Longstreth; and red succeeded the
white In her cheeks. She appeared
astonished and angry. "What for?
Why, how dare you! This is I'M
~warrantable I"
"a man-Bo Snecker-assaulted
and robbed Jim Laramie" replied
Dtuuc, huttlcuiy. thustu hCNhV
here-saw him run into this house"
"Here7 Oh. sir, you must be mis-
taken. We have seen no n In the
absence Of my father I'm mistress
here. I'll not permit you to search"
Lawson appeared to come out of his
establishment. He stepped forward.
RAY. don't be bothered now" he
-.N A. IL. -. sr~AIa fAlI4xuf1
making a bluff. III settle him. See
here. mister, you clear out |"
II want Snecker. He's here, and
I'm going to get him." replied Duane,
quietly.
bah! That's all a bluf." sneered
Lawson. I'm on to your game. You
Just wanted an excuse to break In
hereto see my cousin again. When
you saw the company you invented
that excuse. Now, be of, or 1t II be
the worse for you"
Duane felt his face burn with a
tide OF hot blood. Almost he felt
that he was guilty OF such motive.
Had he not been unable to put this
Ray Longstreth out OF his mind?
lIeIt SttIh'u W Dt SCDIu III ltI eyes
now. And somehow that checked his
embarrassment.
Miss LonGstreth, will you let me
search the housef" he asked.
"No.'
"Then--I regret to say-IT do SO
without your permission"
you'll not darcl" she Hsshed. She
stood erect. her bosom swelling.
Pardon me-yes, ! will"
"Who are your" she demanded, sud-
denly.
"rm a Texas Ranger" replied
Duane.
"a Texas Ranger" she echoed.
Floyd Lawson's dark face turned
pale.
miss Longstreth. I don't need war
rants TO search houses" said Duane.
~Tm sorry to annoy you. I'd prefer
10 have you permission. A rufian
has taken refuge herein your
fathers house. He's hidden some
where, May I look for hImT
'If you are indeed q ranger"
Duane produced his papers. Miss
Longstreth haughtily refused TO look
at them.
"Mflss Longstreth. I've come to
make Fairdale a safer, cleaner, better
place for women and children. | don't
wonder at your resentment. But 10
doubt me-Insult me. Some day you
may be sorry"
Floyd Lawson made a violent mo-
don with his hands.
"Ail stun Cousin, go on with your
party. I'll take a couple OF cowboys
and go with this-this Texas Ranger"
Thanks" said Duane coolly. as he
syed Lawson. perhaps you'll be able
10 6nd snecker quicker han / could"
"what do you meanr demanded
Lawson. and now he grew livid. Evil
IDENTIFY he was a man Of quick pas
sions.
Don't quarrel" said Miss Long
streth. "Floyd you 20 with him
Please hurry. I'll be nervous till
the mans found or you're sure there's
not one"
They started with several cowboys Il
search the house. II struck DUANE
more than forcibly that Lawson trie,
10 keep In the lead. II was Duane whit
peered into q dark corner and then
with a gun leveled, said "Come out I
He came forth into the fiare-a tall
slim. darx-faced youth. wearing som
brero. blouse and trousers. Duan
eollared him before any of the other
could move and held the gun clos
enough to make him shrink. II