The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1917-01-25
CHAPTER XIII.

of that region he never knew. But he
reached familiar country and found a
rancher who had before befriended
him. Here his arm was attended to;
he had food and sleep and In n couple
of weeks no was himself again.
When the time came for Duane to
ride away on his endless trail his
friend reluctantly impaired the In
formation that some thirty miles south,
near the village of Shirley, there was
posted ut n certain cross-road a re-
ward for Suck Duane dead or alive.
Duane had heard OF such notices, but
he had never seen one. His friends
reluctance and refusal to state for
what particular deed this reward was
offered reused Duane's curiosity.
Abruptly he decided to ride over there
and find out who wanted him dead or
alive. and why.
Toward afternoon, from the top Of
q long hill, Duane saw the green fields
and trees and shining roofs OF n town
he considered must be Shirley. And Mt
| the bottom Of the hill he came upon
IN i%ntersectlng rond. There was u
| placard nailed on the cross.road sign
post. Duane drew rein near IL and
leaned close to read the faded print.
Isl 600 REWARD FOR BUCK
DUANE DEAD OR ALIVE" Peering
closer to read the finer, more faded
print, Duane learned that he was want
cd for the murder Of Mrs. JEFF Aiken
Mt her ranch lear Shirley. The month
September was named. but the date
was illegible. Tho reward. was offered
by the womnn's husband, whose name
appeared with that Of a sherin's ut
the bottom Of the placard.
Duane read the thing twice. When
he Strengthened he was sick with the
horror Of his fate. wild with passion
Mt those misguided fools who could
believe hat he had harmed a woman.
A dark, passionate fury possessed
him. 1t shook him like a storm shakes
the oak. When 1t passed, leaving him
cold, with clouded brow and piercing
eye, him mind vas set. Squirting his
horse, he rode straight toward the
village.
Shirley appeared to be a large, pre-
tentious country town. A branch OF
some railroad terminated there. Tho
main street was wide, bordered by
trees and commodious houses, and
many Of the stores were Of brick. A
large plaza shaded by giant cotton.
WOOD occupied n central location.
Duane pulled his running horse and
halted him, plunging and snorting, be-
fore a group Of Idle men who lounged
on benches In the shade OF a spread
ing cottonwood. How many times had
Duane seen Just that kind Of lazy
shirt-sleeved Texas group! Not often.
however. had he seen such placid,
lolling, good-natured men change their
expression, their attitude SO swiftly.
His advent apparently was momentous.
They evidently took him for an un-
usual visitor. So far as Duane could
tell, not one Of them recognized him,
had n hint Of his Identity.
He slid of his horse and threw the
bride.
"Tm Buck Duane" he said. II saw
that placard-out there on a sign-post.
It's a damn lie! Somebody find this
man JEFF Aiken. I want to see him."
His announcement was taken In alb
so'ute silence. That was the only
effect he noted, for he avoided looking
at these villagers. The reaso was
simple enough; Duane felt himself
overcome with emotion. There were
tears In his eyes. He sat down on a
bench. put his elbows on his knees
and his hands to his face. For once
he had absolutely 10 concern for his
fate. This ignominy was the. last
straw.
Presently. however. he became
aware Of some kind Of commotion
among these villagers. He heard
whispering, low. hoarse voices, then
the shuttle of rapid feet moving away.
All at once a violent hand jerked his
gun from les holster. When Duane
rose a gaunt man, livid Of face, shak.
ing like a leaf. confronted him with
his WI gun.
Glands up. thar. you Buck Duane I"
he roared, waving the gun.
That appeared to DO the u for
pandemonium to break loose. Several
men lay hold Of his arms and pinioned
them behind his back. Resistance was
useless v e II Duane had had the
spirit. One Of them fetched his
halter from his saddle. and with this
they bound him helpless.
People were running now from the
street, the stores. the houses. Old
men. cowboys, clerks. boys, ranchers
came on tho trot. The crowd grew.
The increasing clamor begun to at
tract women as well al men. A group
OF girls ran up. then hung back In
fright and pity.
The presence Of cowboys made a
difference. They split up the crowd.
got to Duane, and lay hold Of him
with rough, businesslike hands. One
Of them lifted his fists and roared at
the frenxied mob to fall back, to stop
the racket. He beat them back into q
circle; but Il was some little time be-