The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1917-12-01

- AAA1 a0AhA VIM sui ~
cit can't be. You're only-after me,
too. like Bland-like all Of them"
Duane's long arms went out and his
hands clasped her shoulders. He
shook her.
Look Mt me-straight in the eye.
There are decent men. Haven't you
a father-a brotherl'
They're dead-killed by raiders.
We lived in Dimmit County. 1 was
carried away" Jennie replied, hurried
ly. She put up an appealing hand to
him. Forgive me. / believe know
you're good. 1t was only live so
much in fear-Tm half crazy-Tve al
most forgotten what good men are like.
Mister Duane, you'll help mel"
yes, Jennie, / will. Tell me how.
What must l do? Have you any plan?"
ooh no. But take me away
"Tl try" said Duane, simply. THAT
won't be easy, though. Are you watched
kept ~prisonerf"
"No. / could run off lots of times.
But l was afraid. I'd only have fallen
into worse hands. Euchre has told
me that. Mrs. Bland beats me, half
starves me, but she has kept me from
her husband and those other dogs.
She's been as good as that, and I'm
grateful. She hasn't done it for love
of me, though. She always hated me.
And lately she's growing Jealous. /
zeal her fighting with Bland about me.
VThon Tfua hanrI ChnCu AIIaxvor fru
to persuade Bland to give me to him.
Duane, you must be quick if you'd
save me-"
81 realize that" replied he, thought
fully. 81 think my difficulty will be to
fool Mrs. Bland. If she suspected me
she'd have the whole gang of outlaws
on me at once"
"She would that. You've got to be
careful-and quick"
"What kind of a woman is she?"
inquired Duane.
"She's-she's brazen. I've heard her
with her lovers. They get drunk
sometimes when BANDS away. She's
got a terrible temper. She's vain.
She likes flattery. oh, you could fool
her easy enough if you'd lower your
self Toto"
"To make love to her?' interrupted
Duane.
Jennie bravely turned shamed eyes
to meet his.
my girl, I'd do worse than that to
get you away from here he said
bluntly.
"But-Duane," she faltered, and
again she put out the appealing hand.
"Bland will kill you"
Duane made no reply to this. He
was trying to still a rising strange
tumult in his breast. The old emotion
the rush of the instinct to kill He
turned cold all over.
Chess AIloway will kill you if
Bland doesn't" went on Jennie, with
her tragic eyes on Duane's.
Maybe he WILL" replied Duane. It
was difficult for him to force a smile.
But he achieved one.
"Oh, better take me off at once" she
said. "Save me without risking so
much-without making love to Mrs.
Bland!"
"Surely, if I can. THERE / see
Euchre coming with a woman"
THAT'S her. Oh, she mustn't see
me with you"
"Wait moment" whispered
Duane, as Jennie slipped indoors.
"We've settled it. Don't forget. I'll
find some way to get word to you per-
haps through Euchre. Meanwhile keep
up your courage. Remember I'll save
you somehow. Wen try strategy first.
Whatever you see oil hear me do,
don't think less of me-"
Jennie checked him with a gesture
and a wonderful gray flash of eyes.
'T1 bless you with every drop of
blood in my heart" she whispered,
passionately.
1t was only as she turned away into
the room that Duane saw she was
lame and that she wore Mexican
sandals over bare feet.
He sat down upon a bench on the
porch and directed his attention to
the approaching couple. The trees of
the grove were thick enough for him
to make reasonably sure that Mrs.
Bland had not seen him talking to
Jennie. When the outlaws wife drew
near, the situation took on a singular
ZeSt.
Euchre came up on the porch and
.awkwardly introduced Duane to Mrs.
Bland. She was young, probably not
over twenty-five, and not quite so pre-
possessing at close range. Her eyes
were large, rather prominent, and
brown in color. Her mouth, too, was
large, with the lips full, and she had
white teeth.
Dunne took her nrnffered hand and