Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-01-06
Copyright BY RAspsrand BsssAsss
Continued From Page Five.)

sneak. Ihe price OF MS neaQ anu IIlt
weight of his burden made him silent
But eagerly he drank in all the news
that was told him. In the years OF his
absence from home he had never heard
n word about his mother or uncle
Those who were his real friends or
the border would have been the last
10 make inquiries, to write or receive
letters that might give a clue tc
Duane's whereabouts.
Duane remained all day with this
was lOath to go and yielded to a press
ing invitation to remain overnight. II
was seldom indeed that Duane slept
under a roof. Early in the evening
while Duane sat on the porch with two
awed and hero-worshiping sons of the
house, Jones returned from a quick
visit down to the postoftice. Summar.
lily he sent the boys off. He labored
under intense excitement.
Duane, there's rangers in town." he
whispered. ITS all over town, too,
that you're here. You rode in long
after sunup. Lots of people saw you.
don't believe there's man or boy that
ID squeal on you. But the women
might. They gossip, and these rangers
are handsome fellows-devils with the
women"
what company of rangers?" asked
Duane, quietly.
Company A, under Captain Mac
Nelly, that new ranger. He made a
Dig name in the war. and since he's
been In the range service he's done
wonders. He's cleaned up some bad
places south, and he's working north"
''MacNelly. I've heard of him. De
scribe him to me-"
"Slight-built chap, but wiry and
tough. Clean face, black mustache and
hair. Sharp black eyes. He's got
look of authority. MacNelly's fine
man, Duane. Belongs to good
Southern family. I'd hate to have him
look you up"
Duane did not speak.
"MacNelly's got nerve. and his rang
ers are all experienced men. If they
find out you're here they'll come after
you. MacNelly's no gun-fghter, but
he wouldn't hesitate to do his duty,
even If he faced sure death. Which
he would in this case. Duane, you
mustn't meet Captain MacNelly. Your
record is clean, if it is terrible. You
never met ranger or any officer ex-
cept rotten sheriff now and then.
like Rod Brown
Still Duane kept silence. He was
not thinking Of danger. but of the fact
Of how fieeting must be his stay
among friends.
'Tve already fked up a pack OF
grub" went on Jones. I'll slip out
to saddle your horse. You watch here"
He had scarcely uttered the last
words WREN soft, swift footsteps
sounded on the hard path. A man
turned in the gate. The light was
dim, yet clear enough to disclose an
unusually tall figure. When it ap-
peared nearer he was seen to be walk
ing with 10Th arms raised, hands high.
He slowed3is stride.
docs Burt Jones live here?' he
asked, in a low, hurried voice.
II reckon. I'm Burt What can I
do for you?" replied Jones.
The stranger peered around, stealth
lily came closer, still with his hands up.
1T is known that Buck Duane is
here. Captain MacNelly's camping on
the river just out of town. He sends
word to Duane to come out there after
dark"
The stranger wheeled and departed
rs swiftly and strangely as he had
come.
"Bust me! Duane, whatever do you
make of that? exclaimed Jones.
"A new one on me-" replied Duane,
thonghtfully.
First fool thing ever heard Of
MacNelly doing. Can't make head nor
tails of it. I'd have said off-hand
that MacNelly wouldn't double-cross
anybody. He struck me square man,
sand all through. But hell! he must
mean treachery. I can't See anything
else in that deal" .....
Maybe the Captain wants to give
me q fair chance to surrender without
blo0dshed," observed Duane. "Pretty
decent Of him, If he meant that"
He invites you to come to his camp
after dark. Something strange about
this, Duane. But MacNelly's new
man out here. He does some queer
things. Perhaps he's getting a swelled
head. Well, whatever his intentions,
his presence around Mercer is enough
for us. Duane, you hit the road and
put some miles between you and the
amiable Captain before daylight. To-
morrow I'll 60 out there and ask him
what in the devil he meant"
THAT messenger he sent-he was
ranger" said Duane.
Sure he was, and nervy one! 1t
must have taken sand to come bracing
you that way. Duane, the fellow
didn't pack gun. I'll swear to that. !
Pretty odd, this trick. But you can't
trust it. Hit the road, Duane"
A little later black horse with
Imu1ied hoofs. bearing tall dark rider
(Fho peered keenly into every shadow,
l.rotted down a pasture lane back Of
Jones house, turned into the road,
and then, breaking into swifter gait,