The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1917-03-15

lie was game. lie had the courage
that forced Duane to rcspect him.
Duane just saw him measure the dis.
tancc to that gun Duane would have
to kill him.
"Longstrcth, listen" cried Duane,
swiftly. "Thc games up. You're
done. But think of your daughter!
Il spare your lifc-11l try TO get
tou freedom on one condition. For
her sake! I've got you nnlled-all the
proofs. There lies Lawson. You're
alone. I've Morton and men to my aid.
Give up. Surrender. Consent to de-
mands, and I'll spare you. Maybe I
can persuade MncNclly to let you 20
free back tn your old country. It's
for Rays sake! Her life, perhaps her
happiness. can be saved Hurry,
man, Your answer"
suppose I rcfusc?" he qucricd. with
n dark and terrible enrncStness.
"Thcn I'll kill you In your tracks!
You can't move n hand. Your word
or death! Hurry. IongStrcth! BE n
man. For her sake, Quick, An
| other second now-I1l kill YOU"
"All right. Buck Duane, ] give my
word" he said, and deliberately walk
cd tn the chair aud fell into II.
Longstrcth looked strangely at the
bloody blot or Duane's shoulder.
''rhcre come the girls. :" he sudden
~ exclaimed. "Cnn YOU help me
drag Lawson inside? They mustn't see
him."
Duane was facing down the porch
toward the court and corralS. Miss
longstrcth and Ruth had come IN
sight, were swiftly approaching, evil
IDENTIFY alarmed. The two men sue
cc"drh in drawing Lawson into the
house before the girls saw him.
"bunnc. you're not hard hlt?" said
l.ongsirctl..
"Ii"ckon not" replied Duane.
TN sorry. n only you could have
told me sooner. Lawson! Always
Two split over him :"
"Bnt the last time. Longstreth."
"Ycs. and I came near driving you
to XIII me, ton. Duane. you talked me
out Of It. For Rays sake! She'll he
in here In n minute. This II be hard
or than facing n gun"
"lInrd now. But ! hope It II turn
out all right
duane, will you do me n fnvor?'
he asked. and he seemed shamefaced.
sure
LET Ray and Ruth think Lawson
shot yol. He's dead. II can't matter.
Duane, III" old side OF my life Is
coming hnck. It's been coming. And,
I'd change places with Lawson II |
could"
Glad you-snid that. L.ongstrcth,"
replied Duane. "And surc-Ihwson
plugged me. It's our secret"
Just then Ray and Ruth entered tie
room. Duane heard two low cries, 50
different In tone. and he saw two
She lifted II shaking hand to point Mt
the blood upon his breast. White and
mute, she gazed from that to her
father.
Papa" cried Ray, wrIngIng her
hands.
Don't give way" he replied. husk-
lily. Both YOU girls will need your
nerve. Duane isn't badly hurt. But
Floyd Isis dead. Listen. Let me
tell IL quick. There's been n fight. IL
1T was Lnwson-it was Lawson's
gun that shot Duane. Duane let me
on. In fact, Ray, he saved me. I'm
to divide my property-return so fur
rs possible what I've stolcn-leave
Texas at once with Duane, under mr.
rest. He says maybe he can get Mae
Nelly, the ranger captain, to let me
go. For your sake!"
She stood there, realizing her deliver.
ance. with the dark and tragic glory
of her eyes passing from her father
I o Duane.
"You must rise above this" said
Duane TO her. 81 expected this to
ruin you. But your father IL alive.
lie will live II down. I'm sure ] can
promise you he'll he free. Perhaps
back there In Louisiana the dishonor
will never be known. This matter Of
land, water, n few stray head Of stock
had Ia he decided out Of court. To
protect himself he bound men to him.
lie could not control them. He he
came involved with them, md so he
grew into the lender because he was
tle strongest. Whatever he IL to be
Judged for, ! think he could have been
infinitely worse"