Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1917-02-14
4,
he Lone
Star Ranger
a Romance Of the Border
By ZANE GREY
AseAsss
u0ny o. NISIEl SIAlp
oB a. m Yu0H A0"H0

to the other side Of him. The star
dimmed. Then he was out of the rocks
with the dim trail pale at his feet
Mounting Bullet, he made short worl
Of the long slope and the foothills ant
the rolling land leading down to Ord
The little outlaw camp, with 1t!
shacks and cabins and row Of houses
lay silent and dark under the palms
moon. Duane passed by on the lowe
trail, headed into the road, and pu
Bullet to gallop. He watched TIL
dying moon. the waning stars, and thu
east. He had time to spare. SO HI
saved the horse. Knell would be leav
ing the rendezvous about the time
Duane turned back toward Ord. Be
tween noon and sunset they woult
meet.
The night wore on. The moon sanl
behind low mountains in the west. Thu
stars frightened for a while, thel
faded. Gray gloom enveloped TIL
world, thickened, lay like smoke owe
the road. Then shade by shade i
lightened. until through the transpar
enti obscurity shone dim light.
Duane reached Bradford before
dawn. He dismounted some distance
from the tracks, tied his horse, an(
then crossed over to the station. III
heard the clicking Of the telegraph
instrument, and 1t thrilled him. Al
operator sat inside reading. Wher
Duane tapped on the window he look
ed up with startled glance. then went
swiftly to unlock the door.
Hello. Give me paper and pencil
Quick" whispered Duane.
With trembling hands the operator
complied. Duane wrote out the mes
sage he had carefully composed.
"Send this-repeat 1t to make sure
then keep mum. I'll see You again
Good-by."
The operator stared, but did no
speak word.
dunno left as stealthily and swiftly
as he had come. He walked his horse
a couple Of miles back on the roat
and then rested him till break Of day
When Duane swung into the wide
grassy square on the outskirts Of Orr
he saw bunch of saddled horses
hitched In front Of the tavern. HI
knew what that meant. Luck still
favored him. If 1t would only hold
But he could ask no more. The res
was q matter Of how greatly he coult
make his power felt. An open confiic
against odds lay in the balance. Tha-
would be fatal to him, and to avOii
1t he had to trust to his name and !
presence he must make terrible. HI
knew outlaws. He knew what quail
ties held them. He knew what to ex
aggerate.
There was not m outlaw In sight
The dusty horses had covered distance
that morning. As Duane dismounted
he heard loud, angry voices inside ths
tavern. He removed coat and vest
hung them over the pommel, He pack
cd TWO KuUS sOuS DcIlCu ulSu Ob ti'
left hip, the other one swinging low AZ
the right side. He neither looked no
listened. but boldly pushed the dool
and stepped inside.
The big room was full of men, ant
every face pivoted toward him
Knell's pale face flashed into Duane''
swift sight; then Boldt's, then Blossom
Kane's. then Panhandle Smiths. thel
Fletcher's, then others that were fami
liar, and last that Of P0ggin. Thougf
Duane had never seen Poggin or heart
him described, he knew him. For III
saw face that was record Of grea'
and evil deeds.
There was absolute silence. TIT
outlaws were lined back Of q lon{
table upon which were papers, stacks
Of silver coin, bundle Of bills, and {
huge gold-mounted gun.
care you gents lookin' for mef
asked Duane. He gave his voice al
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