Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-01-25

had no shame. He was simply in the
grip Of passion.
Longstreth gazed with dark, con-
trolled fury at this relative. In that
look Duane saw a strong, unscrupu-
lous man fallen into evil ways, but
still man. 1t betrayed Lawson to
be the wild and passionate weakllng.
Like the great majority Of evil and
unrestrained men on the border. he
had reached point where influence
was futile. Reason had degenernted.
He saw only himself.
But, Floyd, Rays the one person
on earth who must never know I'm
rustler, a thief. red-hnnded ruler
Of the worst gang Of robbers" replied
Longstreth, impressively.
Floyd bowed his head at that. as
If the significance had just occurred
to him. But he was not long at loss.
"She's going to find 1t out sooner
or later. tell you she knows now
there's something wrong out here.
She's got eyes. Mark what I say
cray has changed, know, But
she hasn't. any idea yet that her
daddy's n boss rustler. Rays con-
cerned about what she calls my duty
as mayor. Also / think she's not sat
isfied with my explanations in regard
to certain property"
Lawson halted in his restless walk
and leaned against the stone mantel-
piece. He had his, hands in his pock-
cts. He squared himself as If this
was his last stand. He looked desper-
ate, but on the moment showed an
absence Of his usual nervous excite
ment.
'Longstreth that may we'll be true"
he said. ."No doubt all you say is
true! But it doesn't help me. I want
the girl. If don't get her-I reckon
we'll all 60 to hell"
Longstreth gave a slight start,
barely perceptible, like the switch Of
an awakening tiger. He sat there head
down, stroking his mustache. Duane's
conviction was that Longstreth right
then and there decided that the thing
to do was to kill Lawson.
Lawson no more caught the fateful
significance Of line crossed, a limit
reached, decree decided than II he
had not been present. He was
obsessed with himself How, Duane
wondered, had man Of his mind ever
lived so long and gone so far among
the exacting conditions Of the South
west? The answer was, perhaps,
that Longstreth had guided him, up
held him, protected him. The\ COM
ing Of Ray LoEgstreth had been the
entering-wedge Of dissenslon.
you're too Impatient" said Long
streth. "Ray might be won. She
might marry you to save me, but she'd
hate you. That isn't the way. Wait.
Play for time. Let's plan to sell out
here-stock, ranch, property-and
leave the country. Then you'd have
show with her." ~
II told you we've got to stick"
growled Lawson. 1.-THE gang won't
stand for our going. 1t can't be done
unless you want to sacrifice every
thing"
"You mean double-cross the menu
Go without their knowing? Leave
them here to face whatever comesT'
II mean just that"
I'm bad enough, but not that bad"
returned Longstreth, IF I can't get
the gang to let me off. I'll stay and
face the music. All the same, Law
son, did it ever strike you that most
of the deals the last few years have
been yours7"
"Yes. If I hadn't rung them IN
there wouldn't have been any. You've
had cold feet. and especially since
this ranger has been here"
"Well, call It cold feet IL you like.
But call 1t sense. We reached our
limit long ago. Then we had to go
on. Too late to turn back"
II reckon we've all said that. None
Of the gang wants to quit. They all
think, and I think. we can't be touch
ed. We may be blamed, but nothing
can be proved. We're too strong"
"There's where you're dead wrong"
rejoined Longstreth, emphatically. Il
imagined that once, not long ago. l
was bull.headed. Who would ever
connect Granger Longstreth with a
rustler gang? I've changed my mind.
I've begun to think. I've reasoned
out things. We're crooked. and we
can't last. It's the nature Of life, even
here, for conditions to grow better.
The wise deal for us would be to
divide equally and leave the country,
all Of US"
'But you and ] have all the stock
all the gain" protested Lawson.
''I'll split NINE"
II won't-that settles that" added
Lawson, instantly. -
Longstreth spread wide his hands
as II it was useless to try to convince
this man. Talk had not increased his
calmness, and he now showed more
than Impotence. A dull CLINT cleaned
deep in his eyes.
"Your stock and property will last
a long time-do lots of good when
this ranger"
"Bahw hoarsely croaked Lawson.
The rangers name was match ap-
piled to powder, Haven't told you
he'd be dead soon-any time-same
as Laramie is?' ,~
Eyes. you mentioned the-the sup
position" replied Longstreth, sarcastic
cally. 81 inquired, too, just how that
very desired event was to be brought