Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-02-06
her breast-all these seemed to inclese

him.
Duane could not put her from him.
He yielded to her ups and arms.
watching her, involuntarily returning
her caresses. sure now Of her intent,
fascinated by the sweetness of her,
bewildered, almost lost. That was
what 1t was to be loved by a woman,
His years of outlawry had blotted out
any boyish love he might have known.
This was what he had to give up
all this wonder Of her sweet person,
this strange fire he feared yet
loved, this mate his deep and tortured
soul recognized. Never until that
moment had he OWNED the meaning
Of woman ito a man. That meaning
was spiritual in that he saw there
might have been for him, under hap
pier circumstances. life OF noble
deeds lived for such woman.
"Don't go! Don't go!" she cried,
as he started violently.
II must. Dear, good-by. Remember
I loved you! ~
He pulled her hands loose from his,
stepped back.
RAY, dearest-I believe-Ill come
back!" he whispered.
These last words were falsehood.
He reached the door, gave one last
piercing glance to fix forever in>mem-
DRY that white face with its dark,
staring. tragic eyes.
"Duanep'
He fled with that moan like thunder,
death, hell in his ears. To forget her,
to get back his nerve, he forced into
mind thHimage Of Poggin-Poggin had
sent the cold sickness of fear to his
marrow. There was a horrible thrill
in his sudden remembrance that
Poggin likewise had been tainted with
fear of him. The dark tide over.
whelmed Duane, and when he left
the room he was fierce, implacable,
steeled to,any outcome, quick like a
panther, sCmber as death, in the thrall
of this strange passion.
There was no excitement in the
street. He crossed to the bank corner.
A clock inside pointed the hour OF
two. He went through the door into
the vestibule. looked around, passed
up the steps into the bank. The clerks
were at their desks, apparently busy.
But they showed nervousness, The
cashier paled at sight of Duane. There
were men-the rangers-crouching
down behind the low partition. All
the windows had been removed from
the iron grating before the desks.
The safe was closed. There was no
money in sight. A customer came in,
spoke to the cashier, and was told to
come tomorrow.
Duane returned to the door, He
could see far down the street, out
into the country. There he waited,
and minutes were eternities. He saw
no person near him; he heard no
sound. He was insulated in his un-
natural strain.
At few minutes before half past
two a dark, compact body of horsemen
appeared far down, turning into the
road. They came Mt sharp trot-
q group that would have attracted
attention anywhere at any time. They
came a little faster as they entered
town; then faster still; now they were
four blocks away, now three, now two.
Duane backed down the middle Of the
vesubule. up the steps, and halted
in the center of the wide doorway.
There seemed to be rustling In his
ears through which pierced sharp,
ringing clip-clop Of iron hoofs. he
could see only the corner Of the street.
But suddenly into that shot lean
hmbed dusty bay horses. There was
Gathering Of nervous hoofs pulled
to q halt.
Duane saw the tawny Poggin speak to
his companions. He dismounted quickly.
They followed suit. They had the man.
ner of ranchers about to conduct some