Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1917-01-10

uHu tuiS Druthl teuTins OH VI uuiI
her waist.
The ruffinn was only turned par
TALLY away from Duane. The gun was
still held dangerously upward close
to her. Duane watched only that.
Then a below made him Jerk ms head.
Colonel Longstreth stood in the door
way IN magnificent rage. He had
no weapon. Strange, how he showed
no fear! He beloved something
again.
Duane's shifting glance caught the
robbers sudden movement. He seem
ed stricken. The hand that clutched
Miss Longstreth's torn waist loosened
it's hold. The other hand with It's
cooked weapon slowly dropped till 1t
pointed to the floor. That was
Duane's chance.
Swift as a flash he drew his gun
and fred. Then the robbers gun
doomed harmiessly. He fell with
blood squirting over his face. Duane
rushed out Of the room, across the
patio, through the bar to the yard
In. the gloom stood a saddled horse,
probably the one belonging to the
fellow he had shot. His comrade had
escaped. Returning to the sitting
room, Duane found condition APP
preaching pandemonium.
The innkeeper was shouting to find
out what had happened. Joel, the
stage-driver, was trying to quiet the
men who had been robbed. The wo-
man, wife OF one Of the men, had
come In, and she had Mysteries. The
girls were still and white. The rob-
Der Bill lay where he had fallen. Like
Z Gagged lion Longstreth stalked and
roared. There came quieter mo-
ment in which the innkeeper shrilly
protested:
.'Man, what're you ravin' abooti
Nobody's hurt. an thet's lucky. !
swear to God l hadn't nothin' to do
with them fellersl"
II ought to kill you anyhow" re-
piled Longstreth. And his voice now
astounded Duane, 1t was SO full OF
power.
Upon examination Duane found
that his bullet had furtowed the rob-
ber's temple and had glanced. He was
not seriously injured, and already
showed signs Of returning conscious
ness.
drag him out Of here!" ordered
Longstreth; and he turned to his
Before the innkeeper reached the
robber Duane had secured the money
and gun taken from him and presently
recovered the property of the other
men. Joel helped the innkeeper carry
the injured man somewhere outside.
Miss Longstreth was sitting white
but composed upon the couch, where
lay Miss Ruth. who evidently had
been carried there by the Colonel.
The Colonel. now that he finally re-
membered his womenfolk, seemed to
be gentle and kind. He talked sooth-
Ingly to Miss Ruth, made light of the
adventure, said she must learn to
have nerve out here where things
happened.
Can be of any seryice?" asked
Duane, solicitously.
Thanks; guess there's nothing
you can do. Talk to these frightened
girls while go see what's to be done
with that thick-skulled robber," he
replied and. telling the girls that
there was no more danger, he went
out.
Miss Longstreth sat with one hand
holding her, torn waist in place; the
other she extended to Duane. He
took 1t awkwardly, and he felt a
strange thrill.
"You saved my life,s she said, in
grave, sweet seriousness.
mo, nor Duane exclaimed. "He
might have struck you, hurt You, but
40 more"
"Did you kill him?' asked Miss
Ruth, who lay listening.
ooh, no. He's not badly hurt"
''I'm very glad he's alive" said
Miss Longstreth, shuddering.
s'Tell me all about it?" asked Miss
Ruth, who was fast recovering.
Rather embarrassed, Duane briefly
told the incident from his, point Of
view.
Cousin" said Miss Longstreth,
-houghtfully, 1T was fortunate for US
hat this gentleman happened to be
here. Papa scouts laughs at dang
er. He seems to think there was no
LANCER. Yet he raved after it came"
Go with us all the way to Fair
1ale-please?' asked Miss Ruth.
,weetly Offering her hand Il am
Ruth Herbert. And this is my cousin
Ray Longstreth.'
"I'm travelling that way" replied
Duane, in great confusion. He did
lot know how to meet the situation.
Colonel Longstreth returned then,
md after bidding Duane u good night,
which seemed rather curt by contrast
o the graciousness of the girls, he led
hem away.
Before going to beds Duane went
outside to take a look at the injured
'obber and perhaps to ask him a few
questions. To Duane's surprise, he
vas gone, and so was his horse. The
nnkeeper was dumfounded. He said
hat he left the fellow on the floor
n the barrO0m.
( "Had he come to-" inquired Duane.
.Sure. He asked for whisky"
did he say anything else?''
mot to me. / heard him talkin' to