The Benson signal., 1917-01-20
The Lone Star Ranger
A Fine Tale of the Open Country By ZANE GREY

He was game. He had the courage
that forced Duane to respect him.
Duane just saw him measure the dis
tance to that gun. Duane would have
to kill him.
"Longstreth, listen," cried Duane,
| swiftly. "The games up. You're
| done. But think of your daughter!
I'll spare your life-Tll try to get
you freedom on one condition. For
her sake! I've got you nailed-all the
proofs. There lies Lawson. You're
alone. I've Morton and men to my aid.
Give up. Surrender. Consent to de-
mands, and I'll spare you. Maybe I
can persuade MacNelly to let you 60
free back to your old country. It's
for Rays sake! Her life, perhaps her
happiness, can be saved! Hurry,
man! Your answer!"
| Suppose I refuse?" he queried, with
dark and terrible earnestness.
| "Then I'll kill you in your tracks
You can't move a hand! Your word
or death! Hurry, Longstreth! Be a
man! For her sake! Quick! An
other second now-Tll kill your
"All right, Buck Duane, I give my
word" he said. and deliberately walk
ed to the chair and fell into it.
Longstreth looked strangely at the
bloody blot on Duane's shoulder.
''There come the girls!' he sudden
ly exclaimed. "Can you help me
drag Lawson inside? They mustn't see
him."
Duane was facing down the porch
toward the court and cOrrals. Miss
Longstreth and Ruth had come In
sight, were swiftly approaching, evil
IDENTIFY alarmed. The two men sue
ceeded in drawing Lawson into the
house before the girls saw him.
duane, you're not hard hit?" said
Longstreth.
Reckon not" replied Duane.
''Pm sorry. II only you could have
told me sooner! Lawson! Always
I've split over him!'
"But the last time, Longstreth."
eyes, and I came near driving you
to kill me, too. Duane, you talked me
out of it. For Rays sake! She'll be
in here in a minute This III be hard
er than facing gun"
lizard now. But I hope it III turn
out all right"
"Duane, will you do me favor?"
he asked, and he seemed shamefaced.
"Sure."
"Let Ray and Ruth think Lawson
shot you. He's dead. 1t can't matter.
Duane, the old side Of my life is
coming back. It's been coming. And,
I'd change places with Lawson If l
couldT
"Glad you-said that, Longstreth, y
replied Duane. "And sure-Lawson
plugged me. It's our secret"
Just then Ray and Ruth entered the
room. Duane heard two low cries, so
different in tone, and he saw two
white faces. Ray came to his side.
She lifted a shaking hand to point at
the blood upon his breast. White and
mute, she gazed from that to her
father.
"Papa" cried Ray, wringing her
hands.
"Don't give way" he replied, husk-
lily. Both you girls will need your
nerve. Duane isn't badly hurt. But
Floyd isis dead. Listen. Let me
tell it quick. There's been fight. 1t
it was LawSon-it was Lawson's 8
gun that shot Duane. Duane let me
| oAf TD 20 ho
to divide my property-return so far
as possible what I've stolen-leave
Texas at once with Duane, under ar
rest. He says maybe he can get Mac
Nelly, the ranger captain, to let me
go. For your sake!"
She stood there, realizing her deliver
ance, with the dark and tragic glory
of her eyes passing from her father
to Duane.
"You must rise above this" said
Duane to her. 81 expected this to
ruin you. But your father is alive.
He will live it down. I'm sure l can
promise you he'll be free. Perhaps
back there in Louisiana the diShOnOr
will never be known. This matter of
land, water, few stray head of stock
had to be decided out of court. To
protect himself he bound men to him.
He could not control them. He be-
came involved with them, and so he
grew into the leader because he was
the strongest. Whatever he is to be
judged for, think he could have been
infinitely worse"