The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1917-11-24
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AROMANCE OF THE BORDER
3YZANF GRFY
AUTHOR or
THE LIGHT OF WESTERN
STARS"
RIDERS OF THE PURPLE
SAGE, ETC.
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Stranger, Bosomer Is shore hot
headed" said the man Euchre. He
did not appear u~nfriendly, nor were
the others hostile.
At this juncture several more out
laws crowded out of the door, and the
one In the lead was a tall man of
stalwart physique. His manner pro-
claimed him a leader. He had a long
face, a flaming red beard, and clear,
cold blue eyes that fixed in close scru-
tiny upon Duane. He was not a Tex
In In truth, Duane, did not recognize
n of these outlaws as native to his
state.
I'm Bland" said the tall man, au-
thoritatively. "Who're you, and whatre
you doing hereT"
Duane looked at Bland as he had
at the others. This outlaw chief APP
peared to be reasonable. If he was
not courteous. Duane told his story
again, this time a little more in detail.
Il believe you,' replied Bland at
once. "Think l know when a fellow is
lying"
II reckon you're on the right trail"
put in Euchre. '"Thet about Luke
wantin' his boots took of-thet salts
fies me. Luke he'd a mortal dread of
dyin' with his boots on"
At this sally the chief and his men
laughed.
you said Duane-Buck Duane?"
/ nY,arfoI DIaxI a. go - AHaN
Duane who was a gun-fighter some
years back?"
YES" replied Duane.
"Never met him, and glad / didn't"
said Bland, with a grim humor. $50
you got in trouble and had to go on
the dodge? What kind of trouble?"
Had a fight"
"F1ght? Do you mean gun-play?"
questioned Bland. He seemed eager,
curious, speculative.
"Yes. II ended in gun-play. I'm
sorry to say" answered Duane.
"Guess / needn't ask the son Of
Duane If he killed his man." went on
Bland, ironically. well I'm sorry
you bucked against trouble in my
camp. But, as it is, / guess you'd be
wise to make yourself scarce"
do you mean I'm politely told to
move on?" asked Duane, quietly.
"Not exactly that" said Bland, as IL
irritated. "If this isn't a free place
there isn't one on earth. Every man is
equal here. Do you want to join my
band?'
"No, I don't"
swell, even If you did, l imagine that
wouldn't stop Bosomer. He's an ugly
fellow. Merely for your W sake, 1
advise you to hit the trail"
Thanks. But If that's all, I'll stay"
returned Duane. Even as he spoke he
felt that he did not know himself.
Bosomer appeared at the door, push
ing men who tried to detain him, and
as he jumped clear of a last reaching
hand, he uttered a snarl like an angry
dog. Bland and the other outlaws
quickly moved aside, letting Duane
stand alone. When Bosomer saw
Duane standing motionless and watch
full. a strange change passed quickly
In him. He halted in his tracks, and
Is he did that the men who had fol-
lowed him out piled over one another
in their hurry to get to n side.
Duane saw all the swift action, felt
intuitively the meaning of 1t, and in
Bosomer's sudden change of front. The
outlaw was keen, and he had expected a
shrinking, or at least a frightened an
~tagonist. Duane knew he was nei-
Their. He felt like iron, and yet thrill
after thrill ran through him. The out
law had come out to kill him. And
now, though somewhat checked by the
stand of a stranger, he still meant to
kill. But he did not speak a word.
He remained motionless for a long mo-
ment, his eyes pale and steady, his
right hand like a claw.
That instant gave Duane a power to
read In his enemy's eyes the thought
that preceded action. But Duane did
not want to kill another man. Still,
he would have to fight, and he decided
to cripple Bosomer. When BosOmer's
hand moved Duane's gun was spout
iuS nIC. InO SINUS OliyDVlh AAVAu
Duane's gun-and the outlaw fell with
his right arm shattered. Bosomer
cursed harshly, and f1oundered in the
dust, trying to reach the gun with his
left hand. His comrades. however.
seeing that Duane would not kill I'M
less forced. closed in upon Bosomer
and prevented any further madness on
his part.
OF the outlaws present Euchre APP
peared to be the one most inclined
TO lend friendliness to curiosity and
he led Duane and the horses away TO
a small adobe shack. He tied the
horses in an open shed and removed
their saddles. Then, gathering up Ste
vens' weapons, he invited his visitor
to enter the house.
II had two rooms-windows without
coverings-bare floors. One room con-
tanned blankets. weapons. saddles and
brides; the other q stone Fireplace