The Oakes times., 1917-01-04

One Was Striking. Looking Man.
barroom. Here he found the Inn.
keeper dispensing drinks to the two
strangers.
"Hev something" one of them ask.
ed, leering. Both looked Duane up
and down.
mo thanks, don't drink" Duane
replied, and returned their scrutiny
with interest. "How's tricks in the
Big Bend?"
Both men stared. 1t had only taken
q close glance for Duane to recognize
a type of ruffian most frequently met
along the river. These strangers had
that stamp. and their surprise proved
he was right. Here the innkeeper
showed signs of uneasiness, and
seconded the surprise of his custom
ers. No more was said at the instant
and the two rather hurriedly went
out.
"Say, boss, do you know these fel.
lows!" Duane asked the innkeeper.
"Nope. They nooned heah, comm
from Bradford they said. an trailed
in after the STAGE"
When Duane returned to the sitting.
room Colonel Longstreth was absent,
also several of the other passengers
Miss Ruth sat in the chair he had
vacated, and across the table from
her sat Miss Longstreth. Duane went
directly to them.
"EAcuse me-" said Duane, address.
ing them. II want to tell you there
are couple of rough-looking men
here. I've just seen them. They
mean evil. Tell your father to be
careful. Lock your doors-bar your
windows tonight"
"Oh!" cried Ruth, very low. "Ray,
do you hear7"
"Thank you; we'll be careful" said
Miss Longstreth, gracefully. The rich
color had faded in her cheek. II saw
those men watching you from that
door. They had such bright black
eyes. Is there really danger-here7"
II think so." was Duane's reply.
Soft swift steps behind him pre-.
ceded harsh voice: "Hands up!"
No man was quicker than Duane tt
recognize the intent in those words |!
His hands shot up. Miss Ruth utter
ed a little frightened cry and sank
into her chair. Miss Longstrett
turned white, her eyes dilated. Bott
girls were staring at someone behinC
Duane.
"Turn around!" ordered the harst
voice.
The big, dark stranger, the bearded
one who had whispered to his com
rade in the bar-room and askec
Duane to drink, had him covered witt
a cooked gun. He strobe forward
his eyes cleaning, pressed the gun
against him, and with his other hand
dived into his inside pocket and tore
out his roll of bills. Then he reached
low at Duane's hip, felt his gun, and
took it. His comrade stood in the
door with a gun leveled at two other
men, who stood there frightened
speechless.
"Git move on, Bill" called this
fellow; and he took hasty glance
backward. A stamp of hoofs came
from outside. OF course the robbers
had horses waiting. The one called
Bill strobe across the room, and with
brutal, careless haste began to prod
the two men with his weapon and to
search them. The robber in the door.
way called Rustic" !" and disappeared.
Duane wondered where the inn,
keeper was. and Colonel Longstreth
and the other two passengers. The
bearded robber had wheeled once
more. Duane had not moved muscle,
but stood perfectly calm with his arms
high. The robber strobe back with
his bloodshot eyes fastened upon the
girls. Miss Longstreth never flinched
but the little girl appeared about to
faint.
"Don't yap. there" he said. low
and hard. He thrust the gun close to
Ruth. Duane had little gun in his
pocket. The robber had missed It
And he began to calculate chances
"Any money, jewelry, diamonds T.
ordered the ruffian. f1crcely.
Miss Ruth collapsed. Then he
made at Miss Longstreth. She stood
with her hands at her breast. Evi
IDENTIFY the robber took this position
to mean that she had valuables con
cealed there. But Duane fancied she
had instinctively pressed her handt
against throbbing heart.
"Come out with it," he said, harsh
", reaching for her.
"Don't dare touch mel" she cried
her eyes ablaze. She did not move
She had nerve. She eluded two
lunges the man made at her. Their
his. rough hand caught at her waist