Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1917-01-11

of this trail AIebbe he he'd reason !
Savvy tibet? If l he'd a bunch of cow
boys with me- tell you what. I'd take
a chance and clean up this holer'
All the While Jim Fletcher stood
quietly with his hands in his pockets.
Guthrie, I'm shore treasurin' up
your friendly talk he said. The
menace was in the tone, not the con-
tent of his speech.
You can-an' be damned to YOU,
Fletcher - called Guthrie, as the
horses started.
Fletcher, standing out alone before
the others of his clan, watched the
posse out Of sight.
Luck fer yOu-all tibet Peggy wasn't
here" he said, as they disappeared.
Then with a thoughtful mfen he
strobe UP on the porch and led Duane
away from the others into the bar
room. When he looked into Duane's
face it was somehow an entirely
changed scrutiny.
Dodge, wher'd you hide the stuff?
[ reckon I git in on this deal, seem
[ STAYED off Guthrie"
Duane played his part. Here was
his opportunity, and like a tiger after
prey he seized it. First he coolly
eyed the outlaw and then disclaimed
any knowledge whatever Of the train
robbery other than Fletcher had heard
himself, Then at Fletcher's persist
ence- and admiration and increasing
show of friendlinesS he laughed oc-
casi0nally and allowed himself to
swell with pride, though stin denying.
Later, when Duane started up an
nouncing his intention to get his horse
and make for camp out in the brush
Fletcher seemed grievCusly offended.
'Why don't you stay with me? I've
got comfortable 'dObe over here
Didn't I stick by you when Guthrie
an his bunch come up? Supposin' |
hedn't showed down a cool hand to
him? You'd be swingin' somewhereS
now. I tell you, Dodge, it amt
square"
I'll square it. I pay my debts
replied Duane ''But I can't put up
here ali night. If l belonged to the
gang it d be different"
"What gang?" asked Fletcher, blunt
ly.
''Why, Cheseldine's"
Fletcher's beard nodded as his jaw
dropped.
Duane laughed. 81 run into him
the other day. KnOwed him on sight.
Sure, he's the ldng-pin rustler. When
he seen me an asked me what reason
had for bein' on earth or some such
like-Why, I up an told him"
FLETCHER appeared staggered.
''WhO in alfred hell air you talkin
aGoutv,
'.EEsidn't tell you once? Cheseldine.
He calls himself LOngstreth over
there"
All of FIetcher's face not covered
by hair turned a dirty white.
Cheseldine - Longstreth y he
whispered, hoarsely. GOD Almighty
You braced the" Then a remarkable
transformation came over the outlaw.
He gulped; he Strengthened his face;
he controlled his agitation. But he
could not send the healthy brown
back to his face. Duane, watching this
rude man, marveled at the change in
him, the sudden checking movement,
the proof of a wonderful fear and
loyalty. It all meant Cheseldine, a
master Of men!
who air you?" queried Fletcher, in
a queer. strained voice.
'YOu gave me a handle, didn't you?
Dodge. Thet's as good as any. Shore
It hits me hard. Jim, I've been pretty
lonely for years, an I'm gettin' in
need of pals. Think it over, will you?
See you manana."
The outlaw watched Duane go off
after his horse, watched him as he re-
turned to the tavern, watched him
ride out in the darkness-all without
a word.
Duane left the town, threaded a
quiet passage through cactus and mes
quite to spot he had marked before,
and passed the night. His mind was
so full that he found sleep aloof
Luck st last was playing his game
He sensed the first slow heave of
mighty crisis. The end, always haunt
ing, had to be sternly blotted from
thought. 1t was the approach that
needed all his mind.
Late in the morning he returned to
Ord. If jim Fletcher tried to disguise
his surprise, The effort was a failure.
Certainly he had not expected to see
Duane again. Duane allowed himself
a little freedom with Fletcher, an at
titude hitherto lacking
That afternoon a horseman rode in
from Bradford, an outlaw evidently
we'll known and liked by his fellows,
and Duane heard him say, before he
could possibly have been told the
train-rObber was in Ord, that the loss
Of money IN the hOld-up was slight |
Like a flash Duane saw the luck of |
this report. He pretended not to have |
heard.
In the early twilight at an opportune |
moment he called Fletcher to him, |
and, linking his arm within the out |
laws, he drew him off in a stroll to |
a log bridge spanning a little gully. |
Here after gazing around, he took out |
a roll of bills, spread it out, split it /
equally, and without a word handed |
one half to Fletcher. With clumsy |