The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1917-12-15

absence from home he had never heard
a word about his mother or uncle.
Those who were his real friends on
the border would have been the last
to make inquiries, to write or receive
letters that might give a clue to
Duane's whereabouts.
Duane remained all day with this
h%ospitable Jones, and as twilight fell
was loath to go and yielded to a press
ing invitation to remain overnight. 1t
was seldom indeed that Duane slept
under q roof. Early in the evening,
while Duane sat on the porch with two
awed and hero-worshiping ons of the
house, Jones returned from a quick
visit down to the postoffice. 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. I
don't believe there's a man or boy hat
d squeal on you. But the women
might. They gossip, and these rangers
dhe HdluSOLIS -uSfAiS Win TIC
women"
"What company of rangers?" asked
Duane, quietly.
Company A, under Captain Mac
Nelly, that new ranger. He made a
big 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 a
look of authority. MacNelly's a fine
man, Duane. Belongs to a 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-fighter, but
he wouldn't hesitate to do his duty,
even if he faced sure death. Which
he would in this ase Duane, you
mustn't meet Captain MacNelly. Your
record is clean, if it is terrible. You
never met a ranger or any officer ex-
cept a rotten sheriff now and then,
like Rod Brown"
Still Duane kept silence. He was
not thinking of danger, but of the fact
of how fleeing must be his stay
among friends.
I've already fixed up a pack of
grub" went on Jones. "Tll slip out
to saddle your horse. You watch here"
He had scarcely uttered the last
words when 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 APP
peared nearer he was seen to be walk
ing with both arms raised, hands high.
He slowed his stride.
docs Burt Jones live here?" he
asked, in a low, hurried voice.
81 reckon. I'm Burt. What car I
do for your" 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
as 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,
thoughtfully.
First fool thing 1 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 a square man,
sand all through. But hell he must
mean treachery. l can't see anything
else in that deal"
Maybe the Captain wants to give
me a fair chance to surrender without
bloodshed," 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 a 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 go out there and ask him
what in the devil he meant"
'That messenger he sent-he was a
ranger" said Duane.
Sure he was, and a nervy onel 1t
must have taken sand to come bracing
you that way. Duane, the fellow
didn't pack a gun. I'll swear to that.
Pretty odd, this trick. But you can't
trust it. Hit the road, Duane"
A little later a black horse with
mufiled hoofs, bearing a tall dark rider
who peered keenly into every shadow,
trOttpd down n M Stura lane hack of