Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-01-22

reason, no matter how strong these
rustlers are, how hidden their work.
however involved with supposedly
honest men--they can't last. There
are a lot OF men around Fairdale who
re afraid Of their shadows--afraid to
be out after dark-afraid to open
their mouths. But you're not one,
What you need. out here is some new
blood. Savvy what I mean?"
"Wal, reckon / do" he replied,
looking as II storm had blown over
him. stranger, I'll look. you up the
next time come to town."
Then he went out.
Laramie had eyes like flint striking
nre. He breathed deep breath and
looked around the room before his
gaze fixed again on Duane.
"Wal," he replied, speaking low.
'You've picked the right men. Now,
who in the hell are you7"
Reaching into the inside pocket Of
his bucLskin vest, Duane turned the
lining out. A star-shaped bright silver
object flashed as he showed it, pocket
and all, under Jim's hard eyes.
"Rangerw he whispered. cracking
the table with his fist. "You sure
1ung true to me-
Laramie, do you know who's boss
OF this secret gang Of rustiers here
.abouts7" asked Duane, bluntly. 1t
was characteristic Of him to come
sharp to the point. His wholesome
thing deep, easy, cool about him
seemed to steady Laramie.
aNo." replied Laramie.
"Does anybody know7" went on
Duane.
"Wal, 1 reckon there's not one hon.
est native who knows"
"But you have suspicions?"
I'VE have"
.Have you any idea whether Chesel-
dine and his gang are associated with
this gang heref
"Lord knows. I've always suspect
ed them bein' the same gang. None Of
us ever seen Cheseldine-an' thet's
strange when Knell. Poggin, Pan
handle Smith. Blossom Kane. and
Fletcher, they all ride here often. No,
Poggin doesn't come here often. But
the ! others do. Fer thet matter.
they're around all over west Of. the
Pocos,
.Now I'm puzzlsd ovsr this. = said
Duane. "Why do men--apparently
honest men, seem to be so close
mouthed here7 Is that Z fax, or only
my impressionf'
"It's sure fact" replied Laramie,
darkly. MEN have lost cattle an
property in Fairdale-lost them hon
estly or otherwise, as hasn't been
proved. An in some cases when they
talked limited a little-they was
found dead. Apparently held up an
robbed. But dead. Dead men don't
talk! Thet's why we're close
mouthed."
Tho ranger was about to speak
again when the clatter Of hoofs iIl-
terrupted him. Horses halted out
In front, and one rider got down.
Floyd Lawson entered. he called for
tobacco.
If his visit surprised Laramie he
did not show any evidence. But Law
son showed rage as he saw the ranger,
and then Q dark CLINT fitted from the
eyes that shifted from Duane to
Laramie and back again. Duane
leaned easily against the counter.
"Say, that was bad break OF
yours" Lawson said. III you come
fooling around the ranch again
there'll be hell.
It seemed strange that q man who
had lived west Of the Pecos for ten
years could not see In Duane some
thing which forbade that kind Of talk.
It certainly was not nerve Lawson
showed men Of courage were seldom
intolerant. With the matchless nerve
that characterized the great gunmen
Of the day there was cool, unob-
trusive manner, . speech brief. almost
gentle, certainly courteous. Lawson
was hot-hsaded 3Louisianisn q
French extraction; q man, evidently,
who had never been crossed IN any
thing: and who was strong, brutal,
passionate, which qualities In the face
Of a situation like this made, him
simply fool. a4- s5s a.
YOU'RE right. But not the kind
you think Duane retorted, his voice
sharp and cold. Il.
\, EBAY. Longstreth wouldn't stoop to
know 4 dirty .bloOd.tracker like you,"
said Lawson hotly. He did not seem
to have a deliberate Intention to5rouse
Duane; the man was simply rancor-
Gus, Jealous. jTiI cali you right.
You cheap >blu6srI YoY four-aush |!
You damned lhtsfflring. conceited
rangeel" -
Lawson, I'll not Etake offcnsr', I,s-
cause you seem to be championing
your beautiful cousin replied pusne.
In slow speech. 'sBnt let me return
your compliment. You're q fine South.
erner! Why, you're only. FOUR Hush
q cheap bull.headed rustler y
Duane Kissed the last word. Then
FOR Iii there ssss.
sons working assion-black ened face.
Lawson jerked, moved, meant to
draw. But how slowl Duane Hanged
forward. HIS long arm swept up.
And Lawson staggered backward,
shocking table and chairs, to I'll
hard, in 1 half-sitttng posture against
tneSwall. "a. t,s' Z: 81; 81