Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1917-01-17
CHAPTER xvIn.

down the street. He was certain that
on the faces Of some men he had seen
ill-cOncealed wonder and satisfaction.
He had struck some kind of hot
trail, and he meant to see where It
led. It was by no means unlikely
that Cheseldine might be at the other
end. Duane controlled mounting
eagerness. But ever and anon 1t was
shot through with a remembrance Of
Ray Longstreth. He suspected her
father Of being not what he pretended.
He was troubled. L
= Upon returning to the inn he found
Laramie there. apparently none the
worse for his injury.
"How are you, Laramie" he asked.
'That was good crack Sneaker gave
you.'
Il amt accusin' Bo," demonstrated
Laramie, with eyes that made Duane
thoughtful.
"Well. accuse him. l caught him
took him to Longstreth's court. But
they let him CO."
Laramie appeared to be agitated by
this intimation Of friendship.
s'See here, Laramie" went on
Duane, Sin some parts Of Texas It's
policy to be close-mouthed. Policy
and health-preserving! Between our
selves, want you to know lean
on your side Of the fence"
Laramie gave a quick start. Pre-
sently Duane turned and frankly met
his gaze. He had startled Laramie
out of his habitual set taciturnity
but even as he looked the light that
might have been amaze and Joy faded
out of his face, leaving 1t the same
old mask. Still Duane had seen
enough. Like a bloodhound he had
q scent.
Talking about work, Laramie,
who'd you say Snecker worked for?'
"When he works at all, which sure
amt often, he rides for Longstreth."
"Humph! Seems to me that Long
streth's the whole circus round Fair
dale. I was surprised to hear some
one say Longstreth owned the Hope
So Joint"
"He owns considerable property
.hereabouts," replied Laramie, con-
STRANGELY.
Humph again! Laramie, like every
other fellow l met in this town,
you're afraid to open your trap about
Longstreth. Get me straight, Lara
ME- For cause I'd throw gun on
him just as quick as on any rustler
In Pecos."
Talks cheap" replied Laramie,
making light Of his buster, but the
red was deeper In his face.
..Sure. I know that" Duane said.
'And usually don't talk. Then It's
not well known that Longstreth
owns the Hope SoT'
Reckon it's known in Pecos. all
right. But Longstreth's name isn't
connected with the Hope So. Blandy
runs the place.
''That Blandy. His faro games
crooked. or I'm locoed bronch. That
Hope So place ought to be run by q
good fellow like you, Laramie
Thanks" replied he; and Duane.
Imagined his voice little husky.
Didn't you hear used to--run it,
l built the place, owned 1t for eleven
years"
"Well. I'll be doggoned." It was
indeed Duane's turn to be surprised,
and with the surprise came a gllm-
mering. "Tm sorry you're not there
now. Did you sell out?"
"No. Just lost the place."
Laramie was bursting for relief
now--to talk, to tell. Sympathy had
made him soft. ut was two years
ago-two years last March" he went
on. II was in big cattle deal with
Longstreth. We got the stock-an'
my, share, eighteen hundred head,
was rustled OF. l owed Longstreth
He pressed me. It came to law
suit-an' Twas ruined."
II hurt Duane to look ut Laramie.
He was white. and tears rolled down
his cheeks. Duane raw the bitterness,
the defeat. the agony Of the man.
But the reason he did not openly &C
cuse Longstreth, the secret Of his
reticence and fear-these Duane
thought best to try to learn at some
later time.
.Hard luck! It certainly was
tough" Duane said. "But you're q
good loser. And the wheel turns!
Now, Laramie, here's what. i need
your advice. I've got a little money.
But before / lose 1t want to invest
some. Buy some stock, or buy an
interest in some rancher's herd.
Sure you must know couple Of men
above suspicion"
"Thank God I do he replied.
feelingly. Frank Morton an 81
thinner, my friends an neighbors all
my prosperous days, an friends still.
You can gamble on Frank an 81.
But If you want advice from me
don't invest money In stock now"
''Why?"
Because any new Teller buyin'
stock these days will be rustled quick
or n he can say Jack Robinson. The
old ranchers are wise an sore.
They'd fight II they"
"What?" Duane put in as he
paused. "What d make them fght?"
"a leaderv'
"Howdy thar, Jim" doomed big
voice.
A man of great bulk, with ruddy,
merry face. entered the room.