The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1917-01-04
CHAPTER WI.

BY ghosts haunting his walking and
sleeping hours. He awoke feeling
bright and eager, and grateful to
Euchre for having put something
worth while into his mind. During
breakfast. however, he was unusually
thoughtful. working owe the idea Of
how much or how little he could con-
ode in the outlaw. He was aware Of
Euchre's scrutiny.
"Wal." began the old man. at last,
"how'd you make out with Jennie?
What d you an she talk aboutf"
I'VE had q little chat. You know
you wanted me to cheer her up"
Euchre sat with coffee-cup poised
and narrow eyes studying Duane.
Buck, I've seen some outlaws
whose word was good. Mine Is. You
trust me. trusted you, takin'
you over there an putin you wise to
my tryin' to help thet poor kid"
Thus enjoined by Euchre, Duane be-
gan to tell the conversations with Jen.
ME and Mrs. Bland word for word.
Long before he had reached an end
Huchrs set down the ~coffee-cup and
began TO stare. and at the conclusion
q the story his face lost some of its
Fed color and beads Of sweat stood
out thickly on his brow.
oval, II thet doesn't floor mel" he
calculated, blinking at Duane. young
man. I nggered you was some swift,
an sure to make your mark on this
river; bot I reckon I missed your real
saliber. Do you know what 1t II take
to do all you promised Jenr
II haven't any idea," replied Duane,
gravely.
you'll have to pull the wool over
Kate BANDS eyes, an even II she falls
In love with you. which s shore likely,
tibet won't be easy. An she'd kill you
In q minnit, Buck. II she eve got
wise. You amt mistaken her none,
are your
"Not me, Euchre. She's a woman.
I'd fear her more than any man."
"wal. you'll have to kill Bland an
Chess Alloway an Rugg, an mebbe
some others, before you can ride OF
into the hills with tibet girl"
"Ali right. I'll meet what comes"
said Duane, quietly. 1.-THE great point
Is to have horses ready and pick the
right moment then rush the trick
through"
"Thet's the only chance fer success.
An you can't do II alone"
"Tll have to. I wouldn't ask you to
hep me-"
Euchre, gruffly. "Tm going to help
Jennie, you a. gamble your last peso
on thet."
They talked and planned, though In
truth II was Euchre who planned,
Duane who listened and agreed. While
awaiting the return Of Bland and his
iieutenants II would be well for Duane
TO grow friendly with ehe other out
laws, to sit In a few games Of monte
or show a willingness to spend q little
money. The two schemers we're to
call upon Mrs. Bland every day
Euchre to carry messages Of cheer and
warning to Jennie, Duane TO blind the
elder woman at any cost. These pre-
liminaries decided upon, they proceed
ed to put them into action.
No hard task was 1t to win the friend
ship of the most of those good-naturet
outlaws. Thera were men amont
them, however. that made Duane fee
that terrible i~uexplicable wrath ris'
In his breast. He could not bear to b.
near them. ~Jackrabbit Benson wal
one Of these men. Because of him ant
other outlaws Of his Tx Duane couit
scarcely ever forget the reality o.
things. This was a hidden valley, I
robbert Den, a rendezvous for mur
derers, q wild place stained red b,
deeds Of wild men. And because o
that there was always . changed at
nosphere. The merriest, idlest, mos
careless moment might In the fash o
IN ne end In ruthless and tragic &C
don. Duane felt rather than saw
dark, brooding shadow over the valley
Then. without any solicitation or en-
couragement from Duane. the Blan'
woman fell passionately In love wit
him. She launched herself. And IN
thing which evidently held her In chez
was the newness, the s%trangeness. an
for the moment the ail-satisfying fac
Of his respect for her. Duane sxsrte
himself to please, to amuse. to ints'
eat. tn fssciuate her, and always Wit