The Elbert County tribune., 1917-01-19

once and the word most significant
and frequent in their speech was
"outlaws."
MacNelly clapped his fist in his
hand
"This II make the adjutant sick
with JOY Maybe he won't have it
on the Governor Wen show them
about the ranger service. Duanel
how'd you ever do it?"
aNow. Captain, not the half nor
the quarter of this jobs done. The
gangs coming down the road. They'll
ride In to town on the dot-two thirty"
sHow many?" asked MacNelly.
"Poggin, Blossom Kane, Panhandle
Smith, Boldt, Jim Fletcher. and an
other man 1 don't know"
"Porein-that's the hard nut to
crack ! I've heard their record since
I'VE been in Val Verde. Where's
KnellT
"Knell's dead"
"Ahr exclaimed MacNelly, softly.
Then he grew businesslike, cool, and
of harder aspect. Duane, it's your
game to-day. We're all under you,
orders"
aYou understand there's no sense in
irving to arrest Poggin, Kane and that
lot?" queried Duane.
mo, l don't understand that" re
piled MacNelly, bluntly.
at can't be done. The drop can't
he got on such men. Poggin! Thai
outlaw has no equal with gun-un
less He's got to be killed quick
They'll all have to be killed. They're
all bad, desperate, know no fear, are
lightning in action"
Every WELL Duane; then it's a fight
That IL be easier, perhaps. The boys
are spelling for a fight. Out with yom
plan. now"
"Put one man at each end of this
street, just at the edge of town. Pu
four men up in that room over the
bank-two at each open window. Lei
them hide till the game begins. The
rest of your men put inside behint
the counters, where they'll hide. Now
20 over to the bank, spring the thint
on the bank officials, send your mer
over one by one. No hurry, no ex
citement, no un..ual thing to attract
notice in the bank"
"All right. That's great. Tell me
where do you intend to waltz"
Duane heard MacNelly's question
and it struck him peculiarly. He hat
seemed to be planning and speaking
mechanically. AS he was confronted
by the fact 1t nonplused him some
what, and he became thoughtful
with lowered head.
where II you wait, Duane?" in
sisted MacNelly, with keen eyei
speculating.
"I'll wait in front-just inside th'
door" replied Duane, with an effort
But will you hide?" asked Mac
Nelly.
Duane was silent.
MacNelly stared, and then a strange
comprehending light seemed to fiji
over his face.
Duane, l can give you no ORDER
to-day" he said, distinctly. I'm onl!
offering advice. Need you take an!
more risks? You've redeemed your
self. The governor, the adjutant-gen
eral-the whole state will rise up ant
honor you. / say, as a ranger, neet
you take more risk than your cap
tain?"
Still Duane remained silent. HI
was locked between two forces. Ant
one, a tide that was bursting at it
bounds, seemed about to overwheln
him. Finally that side of him, tn,
retreating self, the weaker, found I
voice.
Captain, just what I'll do or wher
I'll be l can't say yet. In meeting
like this the moment decides. Blu
I'll be therel"
MacNelly spread wide his hands
looked helplessly at his curious ant
sympathetic rangers, and shook hi
head.
Now you've done your work-lait
the trap-is this strange move of your,
going to be fair to Miss LongstrethY
asked MacNelly, in significant low
voice.
Like great tree chopped at tn,
roots Duane vibrated to that. HI
looked up as if he had seen a ghost
Mercilessly the ranger captain weni
on: You can win her, Duane! Oh
you can't fool me. L was wise in &
minute. Fight with us from cover
you'll be free, honored. happy. That
girl loves you'll 1 saw it in her eyes
She's"
But Duane cut him short with
nerce gesture. He lunged up to his
Ieet' and the rangers fell back. Dark
silent, grim as he had been, still there
was transformation singularly moro
sinister, stranger.
Enough. I'm DONE" he said som
perry. I've planned. Do we agree
or shall l meet Poggin and his gans
alone?"
MacNelly cursed and again threw