Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1917-01-31

them you can hide. I'll turn out the
light. I'll meet them at the door.
You can trust me. Wait till all quiets
down, If we have to wait till morn
Ing. Then you can slip out"
II oughtn't to stay. l don't want
to-I WON'T" Duane replied, perplex-
ed and stubborn.
"But you must. It's the only safe
way. They won't come here"
Suppose they should? It's an even
chance Longstreth II search every
room and corner in this old house. II
they found me here I couldn't start
fight. You might be hurt. Then
the fact Of my being here"
Duane did not finish what he meant,
but instead made step toward the
door. White of face and dark Of eye,
she took hold of him to detain him.
She was as strong and supple as a
panther. But she need not have been
either resolute or strong, for the clasp
of her hand was enough to make
Duane weak.
cup yet, Ray?" came Longstreth's
clear voice, too strained, too eager to
be natural.
mo. I'm in bed reading. Good
night" instantly replied Miss Long
streth, SO calmly and naturally that
Duane marveled at the difference be-
tween man and woman. Then she
motioned for Duane to hide in the
closet. He slipped in, but the door
would not close altogether.
"Are you alone?" went on Long
streth's penetrating voice.
"Yes." she replied. ruth went to
bed"
The door swung inward with swift
scrape and jar. Longstreth half en-
tered, haggard. flaming-eyed. Behind
him Duane saw Lawson, and indis-
tinctly another man.
Longstreth barred Lawson from en-
tering, which action showed control as
well as distrust. He wanted to see
into the room. When he had glanced
around he went out and closed the
door.
Then what seemed a long interval
ensued. The house grew silent once
more. Duane could not see Miss
Longstreth, but he heard her quick
breathing.
Presently he pushed open the closet
door and stepped forth. Miss Long
streth had her head lowered upon her
arms and appeared to be In distress.
At his touch she raised Quivering
face.
Il think I. can 90 now safely" he
whispered.
"Go then, II you must. but you may
stay till you're safe, !" she replied.
I'll couldn't thank you enough.
It's been hard on me this finding
out-an You his daughter. I feel
strange. don't understand myself
well. But I want you to know-if I
were not an outlaw--a ranger-rd lay
my life ut yeur fest"
'Ohl You have seen $3.50 little
Of me-" she faltered.
.All the same its true. And that
makes me feel more the trouble my
coming caused you.s
'You viii not light my fatharf'
''Not II can help It. I'm trying
to eet out Of the way"
h ~But yoa spilled upon him."
II am z ranger, Miss Loosstreth."
sAnd oh I am rustleFs daughter"
abe cried. ''That's 20 much more ter
rible than I'd suspected. II was
tricky cattle deals imagined he W.
engaged in. But only tonight had
strong suspicious aroused"
"How7 Tell me-"
II overheard Floyd say that men
were coming tonight to arrange .
meeting for my father ut . rendezvous
near Ord. Father did not want to 60.
Floyd taunted hin with name"
"What Manner queried Duane.
ut was Cheseldine."
'Cheseldine Ny God! Miss Long
streth, why did you tell me that?''
"What difference does that maker
"Your father and Cheseldine are one
and the same" whispered Duane,
hoarsely. n.
ri gathered so much myself" she re-
piled, miserably. "But Longstreth is
fathers real name"
Duane felt so stunned that he could
not speak at once. It was the girls
part in this tragedy that weakened
him. The instant ,she betrayed the
secret Duane realized perfectly that
he loved her. The emotion was like
. great food.
''Miss Longstreth, all this seems SO
unbelievable" he whispered. "Chesel-
dine is rustier chief I've come out
here to get. He's only a name. Your
father Is the real man. I've sworn
to Get him. I'm bound by more than
law or oaths. can't break what
binds me. And must disgrace you
wreck your NE; Why. Mis- Long