Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1917-03-07
I he Lone
Star Ranger
a Romance OF the Border
b. ZANE GREY
AskAaa
" u0dI On WESfEN STARS
DGRD o. fM HU11H SAGE" H0

/
| moment had he OWNED the meaning
Of a woman to 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.
Il must. Dear, good-by. Remember
I loved your
He pulled her hands loose from his,
stepped back.
"Ray, dearest-I believe-I'll come
back!" he whispered.
These last words were falseho0d.
He reached the door, gave one last
piercing glance to fix forever in MEM
DRY that white face with its dark.
staring, tragic eyes.
Duane I"
He fed with that moan like thunder.
death, hell in his ears. To forget her.
to get back his nerve, he forced into
mind the image 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 taunted 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, somber as death, In the thrali
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 ut 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 a few minutes before half past
two dark, compact body Of horsemen
appeared far down, turning into the
road. They came at sharp trOt--
group that would have attracted
attention anywhere at any time. They
came 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
vestibule, 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
limbed dusty bay horses. There was
Gathering Of nervous hoofs pulled
to halt.
Duane saw the tawny P0ggin speak to
his companions. He dismounted quickly.
They followed suit They had the man
ner Of ranchers about to conduct some
business. No guns showed. Poggin
started leisurely for the bank door,
quickening step little. The others,
close together, came behind him.
Blossom Kane had q bag In his left
hand. Jim Fletcher was left at the
curb. and he had already gathered up
the brides.
Poggin entered the vestibule first,
with Kane on one side. B0ldt on the
other, q little In the rear.
AS he strobe in he saw Duane.
"Hell's Fret" he cried.
Something Inside Duane burst, pierre
Ing all Of him with cold. Was It that
fear? rs
Buck Duane!'' echoed Kane.
One instant Poggin looked up and
Duane looked down..
Like a striking jaguar Poggin NOV
ed. Almost as quickly Duane threw
his arm.
The guns doomed almost together.
Duane felt a blow just before he
pulled trigger. His thoughts came
fast, like the strange dots before his
eyes. His raising gun had lo0sened
In his hand. POggin had drawn quick
er! A tearing agony encompassed his
breast. He pulled-pulled-at ran
dom. Thunder of booming shots all
about him! Red flashes, jets of
smoke, shrill yells! He was sinking.
The end; yes, the end! With fading
sight he saw Kane go down, then
Boldt. But supreme torture, bitterer
than death. Poggin stood, name like a
lions, back to the wall, bloody-faced,
grand, with his guns spouting red!
All faded, darkened. The thunder
deadened. Duane fell, seemed float
ing. There it drifted- Ray Long
streth's sweet face, white, with dark,
tragic eyes, fading from his sight
fading W.. fading !, Z. :.